Digestion methods for total heavy metals in sediments and soils
Journal
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution
Journal Volume
141
Journal Volume
141
Journal Issue
1-4
Journal Issue
1-4
Pages
189-205
Start Page
189
End Page
205
ISSN
00496979
Date Issued
2002-11
Author(s)
Tsai, Chen-Chi
Tsui, Chun-Chih
Cheng, Shuang-Fu
Liu, Chyan-Lan
Lin, Haw-Tarn
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to analyze the total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the freshwater sediments and the arable and non-arable soils of Taiwan, and to compare the different digestion methods for their determination. Two hundred and thirty-nine freshwater sediments were collected from the Fei-Tsui Reservoir Watershed (FTRW) in northern Taiwan. Forty-two surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) soil samples were likewise collected from 21 representative arable soils derived from various parent materials and with varying weathered degrees in different regions of Taiwan. In addition, one hundred and ninety-four non-arable soils were collected from the different forest regions, industrial parks, resident areas, and commercial areas. Several digestion methods including the aqua regia and different combinations of concentrated acids (HClO4, HNO3, H2SO4, or HF) were compared. All samples were digested both by the aqua regia method and the Baker and Amacher method for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The Reisenauer method was used for Cr and the Burau method for Pb further. The results indicate that the best digestion methods to analyze the total contents of heavy metals in the sediments and soils were recommended as follows: the Baker and Amacher method for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn; the Reisenauer method for Cr, but for simplicity the Baker and Amacher method is also recommended as the flexible method for the total analysis of Cr; the aqua regia method for Cu, Ni, and Zn; and the Burau method for Pb.
Subjects
Digestion method
Heavy metal
Sediment
Soil
Total analysis
Other Subjects
Forestry; Reservoirs (water); Sediments; Soils; Freshwater sediments; Heavy metals; cadmium; chromium; copper; fresh water; heavy metal; hydrofluoric acid; lead; nickel; nitric acid; perchloric acid; sulfuric acid; zinc; digestion; heavy metal; sediment pollution; soil pollution; watershed; controlled study; crop production; demography; forest; freshwater environment; heavy metal removal; industrial area; intermethod comparison; review; sediment; soil analysis; soil pollution; Taiwan; water pollution; water supply; watershed; weathering; Taiwan
Type
journal article