Multi-Elemental Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopic Calibration Problems of the Sequential Extraction Procedure for the Fractionation of the Heavy Metal Content from Aquatic Sediments

For the characterisation of the environmental mobility of heavy metal contamination in aquatic sediments, the EU Bureau of Reference has proposed a fractionation by sequential extraction procedure. For its validation, the CRM-701 sample is available containing Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. In this paper, the matrix-matched calibration problems are presented. A multi-elemental inductively coupled plasma-optical emission technique is employed for the detection of heavy metals in the extracts. It was established that the sensitivities are strongly influenced by the extractants, which causes significant matrix effects: the sensitivities are strongly influenced by the solvents applied in extraction steps; the summarised recoveries show an acceptable agreement with the certified values; however, in the individual extraction steps for certain elements significant differences may occur due to the neglected interferences. Therefore, further optimisation is required utilising the flexible line selection possibility offered by the HORIBA Jobin Yvon ACTIVA-M instrument.