Labile metal content of sediments-fractionation scheme based on ion-exchange resins

The labile metal content of sediments can be evaluated by equilibrating sediment suspensions with ion-exchange resins. By use of a sequence of strong-acid and weak-acid cation-exchangers (H(+)- and Na(+)-form) and chelating resins, extraction can be performed at pH values ranging from 2 to 10. The results allow the total metal content to be subdivided into seven categories designated as (i) low-pH labile, (ii) weak-acid labile, (iii) exchangeable and readily desorbed at sediment-suspension pH, (iv) weak-base labile, (v) high-pH labile, (vi) non-labile soluble forms and (vii) detrital metal content. The sediment suspensions are mixed overnight with the different types of exchanger (held in porous containers) and the cations transferred from the sediment are subsequently back-extracted from the resins into 0.05M EDTA (pH 7.5). The EDTA extracts are analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ca, Mg, Fe and Al. Analysis of the aqueous phase left in contact with the sediment residue gives the amount of non-labile species released. Eighteen sediments, containing various levels of metal contamination, and an effluent dam sludge have been examined by this technique. All the exchangers released Ca and Mg from the sediments, and the H(+)-form exchangers also released Fe and Al. Some of the Fe, Al and to a lesser extent Zn released by the sediment/exchanger interactions was present as non-labile "soluble" species. The advantages and limitations of this "labile metal" fractionation scheme have been considered.