Sequential extraction procedure for fractionation of Pb and Cr in artificial and contaminated soil

Abstract Metal contamination of soil is due to mining, manufacturing and use of synthetic products (e.g. pesticides, paints, batteries, industrial waste and industrial or domestic sludge) which is a serious environmental problem. Hence, determining chemical forms of metals in soils is important to evaluate their mobility or bioavailability. Both artificial and contaminated soils were sequentially extracted to fractionate metals into the water soluble fraction (WSF), exchangeable fraction (EF), bound to carbonate fraction, bound to metal oxide fraction, organically bound fraction (OBF) and residual fraction (RF). In the case of contaminated soil, Pb and Cr are found to be associated with the carbonate fraction while in artificial soil, Pb bound to WSF and Cr with the Fe/Mn fraction. Chemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and textural classification of concerned soils were also analyzed. Percentage recovery was calculated to check the reliability of processes both in Pb and Cr, and it was found to be more in Cr (66% and 84%) in both artificial and contaminated soil than Pb (5% and 34%) in both soils. Analyses of extracts were carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results were interpreted in terms of environmental mobility or bioavailability of metals.