Comparison of metal analysis in sediments using EDXRF and ICP-OES with the HCl and Tessie extraction methods

The work presents an investigation on metal availability in sediments during 13 months using the dispersive-energy X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and atomic emission spectrometry with induced argon plasma (ICP-OES) techniques and single extraction (0.1 mol l⁻¹ HCl) and Tessie’s sequential speciation methods. The EDXRF technique could yield essentially the same profile as ICP-OES for the seasonal variation of metals in sediments, but in a more practical way. The sequential extraction procedure (SEP) was more efficient in metal dissolution than single extraction. The Pb, Ni, Al, Cr, and Fe elements were less efficiently extracted with single extraction in relation to sequential extraction. For Co both methodologies were equivalent, but for Cu and Mn the extraction was higher with single extraction. Single extraction does not mobilize Pb, Ni, Al, Cr, and Fe adsorbed on oxides and bound to organic matter. However for Cu and Mn, not only extracted these metals from the four fractions, but it also dissolved part of the fifth fraction (residual). Principal Component Analysis discriminated seasonal variations in the content of several metals, mainly Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn. The mobility of metallic ions in the sediments is conditioned to the seasonal flow of organic and inorganic material coming from the river or by the erosion of adjacent soils.