Bioavailability of potentially toxic elements (PTES) in soil from a former industrial site using EDTA/acetic acid

Pseudo total Potentially Toxic Elements concentration is a useful guide in evaluating the pollution level in the environment. Samples of soils from a former industrial site have been analysed for potentially toxic elements (Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc) using EDTA and HOAc. The accuracy of the microwave digestion and ICP-MS analysis was assessed by determination of the elements in a certified reference material (BCR 700). Excellent agreement was obtained in all cases between certified and measured values for the elements investigated. The plant availability estimated using EDTA/AcOH varies across the sampled points. Correlation analysis has been carried out between the pseudo total PTE content and the single extraction using EDTA/HOAc and the results shows significant strong positive correlation between the EDTA/HOAc and the pseudo total concentration for all the PTEs measured. The correlation coefficients between EDTA and HOAc are as follows: - As (0.911), Cd (0.985), Cr (0.844), Cu (0.905), Ni (0.589), Pb (0.891) and Zn (0.816). This implies that both EDTA and HOAc are good for extraction of PTEs in soil.