Metal speciation in coastal marine sediments from Singapore using a modified BCR-sequential extraction procedure

The chemical speciation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in marine sediments from two coastal regions of Singapore (Kranji in the NW, and Pulau Tekong in the NE) was determined using the latest version of the 3-step sequential extraction procedure, as described by the European Community Bureau of Reference (1999). To obtain a mass balance, a fourth step, i.e., digestion and analysis of the residue was undertaken using a microwave-assisted acid digestion procedure. The total content of all metals except for Pb in sediments was greater in Kranji than in Pulau Tekong. All metals, except Cd were more mobile and bio-available in Kranji, where metals were present at higher percentages in the acid-soluble fractions (the most labile fraction). In sediments from Kranji, the mobility order of the heavy metals studied was Cd > Ni > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr, whereas sediments from Pulau Tekong showed the same order for Cd, Ni, Pb and Cr, but had a reverse order for Cu and Zn (Cu > Zn). The highest percentages of Cr, Ni and Pb were found in the residual fractions in both Kranji (78.9%, 54.7%, 55.9%, respectively) and Pulau Tekong (82.8%, 77.3%, 62.2%, respectively), meaning that these metals were strongly bound to the sediments. Results are consistent with findings from Barcelona, Spain where similar results for Cr and Ni have also been reported for marine sediments. The sum of the 4 steps (acid-soluble + reducible + oxidizable + residual) was in good agreement with the total content, which implies that the accuracy of the microwave extraction procedure in conjunction with the GFAAS analytical method is assured.