Extraction techniques in speciation analysis of environmental samples

A Study on the Behavior of Cadmium in the Soil Solution-Plant System by the Lysimeter Method Using the 109Cd Radioactive Tracer

In soils, cadmium (Cd) and its compounds, originating from industrial activities, differ both in mobility as well as in their ability to permeate the soil solution from naturally occurring cadmium compounds (native Cd). Therefore, the determination of the parameters of cadmium mobility in soils and its accumulation by plants in the soil-soil solution-plant system is very important from both scientific and practical viewpoints. ¹⁰⁹Cd was used as a radioactive tracer to study the processes of the transition of Cd into the aqueous phase and its uptake by plants over the course of a vegetative lysimeter experiment. Using sequential extraction according to the Tessier-Förstner procedure and modified BCR schemes, certain patterns were determined in the distribution of Cd/¹⁰⁹Cd among their forms in various compounds in the soil, along with the coefficients of the enrichment of native stable Cd with radioactive ¹⁰⁹Cd. It was shown that the labile pool of stable Cd compounds (29%) was significantly smaller than that of radioactive ¹⁰⁹Cd (69%). The key parameters characterizing the migration capacity of Cd in the soil-soil solution-plant system were determined. It was found that the distribution coefficient of native Cd between the soil and the quasi-equilibrium lysimeter solution exceeded the similar value for the ¹⁰⁹Cd radionuclide by 2.2 times, and the concentration coefficients of Cd and ¹⁰⁹Cd in the barley roots were 9 times higher than in its vegetative parts. During the experiment, the average removal of Cd (¹⁰⁹Cd) from the soil by each barley plant was insignificant: 0.002 (0.004)%. Based on the results of ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of a lyophilized sample of the high-molecular-weight dissolved organic matter (HMWDOM) of the soil solution, its components were determined. It transpired that the isolated lyophilized samples of HMWDOM with different molecular weights had an identical structural and functional composition. The selective sorption parameters of the HMWDOM and humic acid (HA) with respect to Cd²⁺ ions were determined by the isotope dilution method.

A methodological approach to evaluate arsenic speciation and bioaccumulation in different plant species from two highly polluted mining areas

Arsenic accumulation and speciation in different plant species growing in two polluted sites were examined, in addition to arsenic transfer from soils to plants. The studied areas were two abandoned mercury mines in Northern Spain, La Soterraña and Los Rueldos. Plants accumulated extremely high amounts of arsenic in their tissues. Accumulation rates depend on both the grade of pollution of the site and on the plant species itself. Total arsenic concentrations varied depending on the part of the plant, with roots accumulating the most arsenic in all the studied plants (up to 1400 mg · kg(-1)). A suitable extraction method for arsenic speciation in the studied samples was developed and optimized using 0.3M orthophosphoric acid as the extracting agent in a graphite block digestion system at 90 °C for 1h. Extraction efficiencies were above 80% and speciation was not altered, since recoveries of the spiked arsenic species (As(III), As(V), DMA (dimethylarsonic acid) and MMA (monomethylarsonic acid)) were between 94 and 102%. Speciation studies were performed on the parts of each plant species by means of HPLC-ICP-MS with the results indicating no significant differences in the speciation between parts of the plants. As(V) was always the predominant species, although a non-negligible amount of As(III) was found for all samples. Little amounts of MMA and DMA occurred in certain samples. Arsenic uptake by plants depends on the plant available arsenic fraction in soils, here considered as the sum of water-soluble and phosphate-extractable fractions. Although soils from La Soterraña were less polluted, arsenic bioavailability was much higher than in Los Rueldos. Soil-to-plant transfer factors, based on total and available arsenic in soils, were evaluated for the studied plants. Dryopteris filix-mas and Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, from La Soterraña and Los Rueldos respectively, were the plants with the highest abilities to extract arsenic from their corresponding soils.

Chemical sequential extraction of heavy metals and sulphur in bottom ash and in fly ash from a pulp and paper mill complex

A five-stage sequential extraction procedure was used to determine the distribution of 11 metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn, As, Co, V, Ni, Ba), and sulphur (S) in bottom ash and in fly ash from a fluidized bed co-combustion (i.e. wood and peat) boiler of Stora Enso Oyj Oulu Mill at Oulu, Northern Finland, into the following fractions: (1) water-soluble fraction (H2O); (2) exchangeable fraction (CH3COOH); (3) easily reduced fraction (NH2OH-HCl); (4) oxidizable fraction (H2O2 + CH3COONH4); and (5) residual fraction (HF + HNO3 + HCl). Although metals were extractable in all fractions, the highest concentrations of most of the metals occurred in the residual fraction. From the environmental point of view, this fraction is the non-mobile fraction and is potentially the least harmful. The Ca concentrations of 29.3 g kg(-1) (dry weight) in bottom ash and of 68.5 g kg(-1) (dry weight) in fly ash were correspondingly approximately 18 and 43 times higher than the average value of 1.6 g kg(-1) (dry weight) in arable land in Central Finland. The ashes were strongly alkaline pH (approximately 12) and had a liming effects of 9.3% (bottom ash) and 13% (fly ash) expressed as Ca equivalents (dry weight). The elevated Ca concentrations indicate that the ashes are potential agents for soil remediation and for improving soil fertility. The pH and liming effect values indicate that the ashes also have a pH buffering capacity. From the environmental point of view, it is notable that the heavy metal concentrations in both types of ash were lower than the Finnish criteria for ash utilization.

Environmental risk assessment of heavy metal extractability in a biosludge from the biological wastewater treatment plant of a pulp and paper mill

A five-stage sequential extraction procedure was used to fractionate heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, As, V and Ba) in a biosludge from the biological wastewater treatment plant of Stora Enso Oyj Veitsiluoto Mills at Kemi, Northern Finland, into the following fractions: (1) water-soluble fraction, (2) exchangeable fraction, (3) easily reduced fraction, (4) oxidizable fraction, and (5) residual fraction. The biosludge investigated in this study is a combination of sludge from the primary and secondary clarifiers at the biological wastewater treatment plant. Extraction stages (2)-(4) follow the protocol proposed by the Measurements and Testing Program (formerly BCR Programme) of the European Commission, which is based on acetic acid extraction (stage 2), hydroxylamine hydrochloride extraction (stage 3), and hydrogen peroxide digestion following the ammonium acetate extraction (stage 4). The residual fraction (stage 5) was based on digestion of the residue from stage 4 in a mixture of HF + HNO3 + HCl. Although metals were extractable in all fractions, the highest concentrations of most of the metals occurred in the residual fraction. From the environmental point of view, it was notable that the total heavy metal concentrations in the biosludge did not exceed the maximal allowable heavy metal concentrations for sewage sludge used in agriculture, set on the basis of environmental protection of soil by European Union Directive 86/278/EEC, and by the Finnish legislation. The Ca (98.6 g kg(-1); dry weight) and Mg (2.2 g kg(-1); dry weight) concentrations in the biosludge were 62 and 11 times higher than the typical values of 1.6 and of 0.2 g kg(-1) (dry weight), respectively, in arable land in Central Finland. The biosludge had a slightly alkaline pH ( approximately 8.30), a high loss-on-ignition value ( approximately 78%) and a liming effect of 10.3% expressed as Ca equivalents (dry weight). This indicates its potential as a soil conditioner and improvement agent, as well as a pH buffer.

Total contents and sequential extraction of heavy metals in soils irrigated with wastewater, Akaki, Ethiopia

The Akaki River, laden with untreated wastes from domestic, industrial, and commercial sources, serves as a source of water for irrigating vegetable farms. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of waste-water irrigation on the level of heavy metals and to predict their potential mobility and bioavailability. Zn and V had the highest, whereas Hg the lowest, concentrations observed in the soils. The average contents of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, V, and Hg of both soils; and Pb and Se from Fluvisol surpassed the mean + 2 SD of the corresponding levels reported for their uncontaminated counterparts. Apparently, irrigation with waste water for the last few decades has contributed to the observed higher concentrations of the above elements in the study soils (Vertisol and Fluvisol) when compared to uncontaminated Vertisol and Fluvisol. On the other hand, Vertisol accommodated comparatively higher average levels of Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, etc V, and Cd, whereas high contents of Pb and Se were observed in Fluvisol. Alternatively, comparable levels of Co and Hg were found in either soil. Except for Ni, Cr, and Cd in contaminated Vertisol, heavy metals in the soils were not significantly affected by the depth (0-20 and 30-50 cm). When the same element from the two soils was compared, the levels of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, V, Cd at 0-20 cm; and Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Zn at 30-50 cm were significantly different. Organic carbon (in both soils), CEC (Fluvisol), and clay (Vertisol) exhibited significant positive correspondences with the total heavy metal levels. Conversely, Se and Hg contents revealed perceptible associations with carbonate and pH. The exchangeable fraction was dominated by Hg and Cd, whereas the carbonate fraction was abounded with Cd, Pb, and Co. conversely, V and Pb displayed strong affinity to reducible fraction, where as Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni dominated the oxidizable fraction. Cr, Hg, Se, and Zn (in both soils) showed preference to the residual fraction. Generally, a considerable proportion of the total levels of many of the heavy metals resided in non residual fractions. The enhanced lability is generally expected to follow the order: Cd > Co > Pb > Cu > Ni > Se > V and Pb > Cd > Co > Cu > Ni > Zn in Vertisol and Fluvisol, respectively. For the similar wastewater application, the soil variables influence the status and the distribution of the associated heavy metals among the different soil fractions in the study soils. Among heavy metals that presented relatively elevated levels and with potential mobility, Co, Cu, Ni (either soil), V (Vertisol), Pb, and Zn (Fluvisol) could pose health threat through their introduction into the food chain in the wastewater irrigated soils.

Determination of bioavailable fractions of Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd in soils and sludges by atomic absorption spectrometry

The single extraction procedures validated by the standards, measurement and testing programme (formerly BCR), extraction with 0.05moll(-1) EDTA and 0.43moll(-1) acetic acid, have been applied to reference materials of soils and sludges with certified total values of elements, in order to determine bioavailable contents of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. These soils, which represent uncontaminated pedologically different types of soils from Slovakia and sludges from city water treatment are characterized for the bioavailable fraction of the metals using the procedures followed by SM&T Programme. Concentrations of the elements under the study in the extracts were determined by flame (FAAS) using calibration curves in appropriate extractants and by electrothermal (ETAAS) atomic absorption spectrometry, using technique of standard additions for the evaluation of the results. The accuracy of the extraction procedures and determinations of the elements in the extracts was controlled using CRM 483 certified for EDTA- and acetic acid-extractable contents of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in sewage sludge amended soil.

A new lead(II)-selective PVC-coated graphite rod electrode based on a Schiff base complex

A new lead(II)-selective electrode has been developed based on bis(acetylacetone)-p-phenylenediamine-lead(II) [LPb(NO3)2]H2O complex ionophore as a sensing material, dioctylphthalate (DOP) as a solvent mediator and PVC as a matrix. This electrode exhibits a linear Nernstian response over the concentration range of 1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-1) mol l(-1) of Pb(II) cation, with a cationic calibration slope of 30.0 +/- 0.2 mV/concentration decade and a detection limit of 2 x 10(-6) mol l(-1) (0.40 ppm). It has a fast response time and can be used for a period of 2 months without any divergence in potentials. The proposed electrode reveals a good selectivity for Pb(II) over a wide variety of other tested cations and could be used in the pH range of 4-8. It was successfully used for direct determination of Pb(II) concentration in some samples. The obtained results show a good agreement with those obtained by an atomic absorption spectrometric method. The average recovery obtained is 96.5 +/- 0.5% with standard deviation of 1.2% (n = 8).

Comparison of methods for leaching heavy metals from composts

This paper presents the determination of total iron, copper, zinc, chromium, nickel, lead, cadmium and mercury contents in the compost obtained from sorted municipal organic solid waste applying the following methods of sample mineralization: 40% hydrofluoric acid with preliminary incineration of a sample, a mixture of concentrated nitric(V) and chloric(VII) acids with preliminary incineration of organic matter and a mixture of nitric(V) and chloric(VII) acids without sample incineration. The speciation analysis of Tessier was used to estimate the bioavailability of the metals. Elution degrees of the mobile forms of the metals from the compost with 10% nitric(V) acid and 1 mol/dm(3) hydrochloric acid were compared. The contents of the elements in the eluates were determined applying atomic absorption spectrometry.

Speciation of arsenic in plants by HPLC-HG-AFS: extraction optimisation on CRM materials and application to cultivated samples

A recently developed method for the determination of arsenic species (arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonate, MMAA, and dimethylarsinate, DMAA) has been applied to the study of arsenic speciation in plants. This method uses ion-exchange liquid chromatography coupled on-line to atomic fluorescence spectrometry through continuous hydride generation. Various extraction procedures have been studied in detail using three plant certified reference materials. None of the procedures tested revealed fully satisfying results with all kinds of plant samples; microwave assisted extraction with 0.3 mol dm-3 orthophosphoric acid was found to be the most convenient for dealing with terrestrial plants. Species stability appears good. This method was applied to real world cultivated plant parts. Arsenate appears to predominate in soils, roots and leaves; unidentified species (probably arsenosugars) play an important role (60%) in rice fruits. Carrot was found to be the most contaminated edible plant part, containing 1 mg kg-1 essentially as arsenate species. MMAA was detected in all soils and some plant parts especially shallots at low levels, whereas DMAA was found only in one soil sample and in hot pepper leaves. Arsenite is a minor component of all soils; it is also present in some plant parts at low levels. However, no evident relationships were found between As speciation in the various plant parts and much more detailed studies will be necessary to elucidate As behaviour in plants.

Selective reduction method for separate determination of inorganic and total mercury in mussel tissue by flow-injection cold vapor technique

A flow-injection cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-CV-AAS) method was developed to determine inorganic mercury and total mercury in mussel samples obtained from the Galicia coasts. The mussel samples were digested in a microwave oven using an HNO3/H2O2 mixture and then total mercury was determined using sodium borohydride as reducing agent. In a separate subsample, following ultrasonic extraction in hydrochloric acid medium, inorganic mercury was determined by selective reduction using stannous chloride in acid medium as reducing agent. The accuracy of the digestion method was checked by analyzing BCR Reference Material No. 278 Mussel Tissue (Mytilus edulis). There were no significant differences between the certified and found concentration values. As a certified reference material of mussel tissue containing both methylmercury and inorganic mercury was not available, recovery studies on mussel tissue samples spiked with inorganic mercury and methylmercury were done to check the reliability of the method. The results revealed that the mercury contained in mussel samples was methylmercury.

Analytical procedures for the determination of organotin compounds in sediment and biota: a critical review

Analytical procedures reported over the last 10 years for the determination of organotin compounds in sediment and biota have been critically reviewed in terms of sample handling, sensitivity, analytical cost, environmental acceptance, accuracy and precision. Critical steps in the analytical procedures are identified. Finally, research needs in extraction and determination are suggested.