An investigation of methods commonly used for the selective removal and characterization of trace metals in sediments

The characterization of solid phase-associated transition metals is important in understanding solid—seawater interactions. This has proven to be a difficult problem because of the complex nature of most sediments and suspended particulate matter. Many chemical techniques have been proposed to describe sedimentary metal phases. Most rely on characterizing equivalent chemical reactivities from the various metal phases rather than the characterization of the actual physical phases with which the metals are associated. In this study, several of the most widely used trace metal extraction techniques are compared for many of the most commonly measured transition metals using a variety of naturally occurring major marine sediment types. All solid concentrations are normalized to total metal values as obtained by neutron activation and X-ray fluorescence analyses.One weak, four intermediate strength, and two strong metal extraction methods were studied individually. The weak method had the lowest degree of extraction efficiency, but dissolved all solid carbonate phases. Its probable inability to retain released metals quantitatively in solution is a major problem. Three of the four intermediate methods are similar. The other and simplest of the four methods (0.5 N HCl), released much lower amounts of most metals studied when compared to these other three. It cannot be classified as a weak method, however, as it does attack some moderately resistant solid phases. Only one of the other three intermediate methods (a reducing acetic acid solution), was relatively free from analytical difficulties and it is preferred for this reason. The two strong extraction methods are quite similar, with neither yielding total metal concentrations.A five-step sequential extraction scheme was also evaluated. The results were generally quite good, both with regard to metal phase fractionation and overall total extraction of available metals. Based on the results of this study, a sequential extraction scheme is a useful method for characterizing solid phase-associated transition metals.