Towards a method for the partial extraction of metals in soils
LE3 .A278 2017
2017
Murimboh, John Stanley, Cliff
Acadia University
Bachelor of Science
Honours
Chemistry
Partial extraction geochemical methods have been proposed as a technique for determining buried mineral deposits at depth. A series of partial extractions were performed on a soil sample from the Acadia Woodland Trail using dilute acid and base solutions, as well as a deionized water control as partial extracting reagents. A batch matrix partial extraction was conducted at four different water-to-soil ratios to determine the optimum extraction conditions. Total dissolved metal concentrations in the extract solutions were measured using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A standard phenanthroline method was used to determine the amount of dissolved ferrous iron. The batch matrix partial extractions yielded similar results for the trace and major elements. A significant increase in concentration was observed for pH below 5 and above 8.8. A minimum in the measurement of dissolved trace and major concentrations occurs within the pH range of 5.5-7.5, depending on the element of interest. The batch matrix partial extractions for oxyanions showed a significant increase in the dissolved metal concentration at high pH, round 7.5 or 8
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2134