Abstract
Trace metals were leached from sediments and suspended particulates by using phthalate buffers at pH values of 2.2-6. Cadmium, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were determined in the resulting leachates by flame or flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. The fraction of total metal removed varied with sample composition, final pH, and element determined. Analytical precision for the leach was generally <8% relative standard deviation. The effects of equilibration time, aqueous/solid ratio, solution matrix, wet vs. dry sample, and final pH on the technique were evaluated. Depending on the element and sample type, metal removal increased linearly or exponentially with decreasing pH. Metal release rates were rapid with 35-85% of the leachable metal removed within 0.5 h of the 48 h experiment. This technique shows promise for studying biological availability and uptake/release processes for metals in sediment and soil as a function of pH.
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