Sequential extraction and single-step cold-acid extraction: A feasibility study for use with freshwater-canal sediments

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution Vol. 170; no. 1-4; pp. 95 - 105
• Main Authors: Cook, S.R, Parker, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.02.2006; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acids; Analysis methods; Applied sciences; Cadmium; Chromium; Cold; Crystal structure; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Extraction; Feasibility studies; France; Heavy metals; Iron oxides; Leaching; Lead (metal); Metal concentrations; Metals; methodology; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; sediment contamination; Sediments; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil pollution; United Kingdom; Water treatment and pollution; France; United Kingdom; Europe; Sediment water interaction; Canal; Surface water; Sequential extraction; Acid leaching; metals; Water pollution; Measurement method; leaching; sediment; Heavy metal
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-006-2815-7

This investigation examines metal release from freshwater sediment using sequential extraction and single-step cold-acid leaching. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn released using a standard 3-step sequential extraction (Rauret et al., 1999) are compared to those released using a 0.5 M HCl; leach. The results show that the three sediments behave in very different ways when subject to the same leaching experiments: the cold-acid extraction appears to remove higher relative concentrations of metals from the iron-rich sediment than from the other two sediments. Cold-acid extraction appears to be more effective at removing metals from sediments with crystalline iron oxides than the “reducible” step of the sequential extraction. The results show that a single-step acid leach can be just as effective as sequential extractions at removing metals from sediment and are a great deal less time-consuming.