Quick sequential procedure for speciation analysis of heavy metals in soils by supersonic extraction

In order to improve the extraction efficiency and reduce the operation time, supersonic energy by means of supersonic bath was used to the modified Tessier sequential extraction for speciation analysis of heavy metals in soils. Extractable contents of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The merit of the supersonic extraction (SE) applied to the modified Tessier, method is not only that the operation time for the first 4 fractions was reduced from ca 18 h to 8 h, comparing with conventional extraction (CE), but also the extraction efficiency was higher. There were no significant differences between the data obtained by the proposed method using supersonic extraction and the reference values of the standard reference materials of EES-2 and EES-3. The results for both of SE and CE in the soil samples were consistent. The extractable Cu, Ni and Zn in the sample No. 1 were mainly associated with the third fraction (Fe-Mn oxides fraction), and fourth fraction (organic matter fraction) in the sample No. 2. The extractable Fe and Mn were all mainly associated with the third fraction, and Pb the fourth fraction in both of the samples. The effects of varying concentrations of hydroxylamine hydrochloride on the extraction of metals were also studied.