Separation, characterization and leaching behaviors of heavy metals in contaminated river sediments

Abstract

In this research, the sequential extraction test was conducted to understand the characteristic of heavy metals in the sediment. Subsequently, the pH-dependent leaching test, percolation test were subjected to explore the possible leaching of heavy metals and stabilizing mechanism. Finally, based on the resuts of pH dependent test,the acid/chemical washing were applied to predict long-term, leaching characteristics. The results from the sediment characteristic analyses showed that the concentrations of heavy metals (such as Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr) in river sediments exceeded the upper limit of Sediment Quality Standard of Taiwan, implying further decontamination works should be addressed. Results from the chemical washing (extraction) showed that the heavy metal removal efficiency was good when washed with 2N HCl for 120 minutes; the order of removal efficiency was Ni 90% > Zn 87% > Pb 85% > Cu 83% > Cr 70%. For chelation extraction, the suitable operating condition was achieved with 0.5M Citric Acid after 120 minutes contact; the order of heavy metal ion capturing efficiency was Zn 61% > Ni 54% > Pb 40% > Cu 36% > Cr 24%. Comparing the heavy metal bonding types before and after chemical washing (extraction) showed that some metal ions exist in residual forms in the sediments (Ni, Zn, Cu); however, after the washing process, the heavy metal ions became more exchangeable forms with higher bioavailability.

Keywords: sediment, heavy metal, leaching test, chemical washing