Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of lead and cadmium in soil extracts

Two single-step extraction procedures validated by BCR, extraction with 0.43 mol dm⁻³ acetic acid and 0.05 mol dm⁻³ EDTA, are used for assessing bioavailable species of Pb and Cd in soils. After an extensive study of interferences of humic substances and using standard additions procedures, the extractable contents of Pb and Cd have been determined by DPASV directly in soil extracts with a good reproducibility (RSD varied from 1.0 to 7.9 %). Pb(II) and Cd(II) were released from complex in EDTA extracts by pH adjustment to 1 with 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl. The results were compared with those obtained with atomic absorption spectrometry and indicated reasonable agreement of both methods. Exchangeable forms represented 0.2 to 3.3 % and 13.0 to 63.6 % of total content of Pb and Cd in soils, respectively. EDTA extraction released from soils 7.9 to 29.9 % and 33.5 to 59.6 % of total content of Pb and Cd, respectively.