Speciation of Heavy Metals in Soils, Sediments, and Sludges Using D.C. Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry Coupled with Ion Chromatography

Abstract

Abstract An analytical method has been developed that can provide more reliable analytical information than the classical fractionation method which has been used by soil scientists for years to determine heavy metal contents of soil, sediment, and sludge samples. The new approach utilizes d.c. plasma atomic emission spectrometry in combination with ion chromatography (DCPAES-IC), whereby the DCPAES provides element selective measurements of the chromatographic effluents. In this way, the combined analytical system provides information on all the species of a metal present in the different steps of the fractionation approach. The DCPAES-IC approach also addresses questions pertaining to completeness of extraction, interference, and reagent concentration effects.