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Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
Comparison of partial extraction reagents for assessing potential bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments
James P Brady1, Irina Kinaev2, Ashantha Goonetilleke3
1Queensland University of Technology, Science and Engineering Faculty, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; Queensland University of Technology, Central Analytical Research Facility, Institute for Future Environments, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
Abstract:
Assessment of heavy metal bioavailability in sediments is complex because of the number of partial extraction methods available for the assessment and the general lack of certified reference materials. This study evaluates five different extraction methodologies to ascertain the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method. The results are then compared to previously published work to ascertain the most effective partial extraction technique, which was established to dilute (0.75-1M) nitric acid solutions. These results imply that single reagent; weak acid extractions provide a better assessment of potentially bioavailable metals than the chelating agents used in sequential extraction methods.
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