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Hexavalent Chromium Extraction from Soils: Evaluation of an Alkaline Digestion Method

Environ. Standards, Valley Forge, PA 19482;

J. C. Petura^*

Applied Environmental Management, 16 Chester County Commons, Malvern, PA 19355;

B. R. James

Soil Chemistry Lab., Agron. Dep., Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

The accurate quantification of total Cr(VI) in soils is relevant to human health concerns because Cr(VI) is significantly more toxic than Cr(III). Hot alkaline solution has been shown to extract soluble and insoluble forms of Cr(VI) from soils, but incomplete recovery of Cr(VI) spikes and the oxidation of soluble Cr(III) spikes in certain soils have been suggested as method deficiencies. A laboratory method study was performed to (i) test the method's accuracy, (ii) understand the soil chemical processes responsible for poor Cr(VI) spike recoveries, and (iii) develop definitive interpretations for Cr(VI) spike recovery data. Test results for >1500 field soil samples and the method study of eight diverse soil materials demonstrated dissolution of soluble and insoluble Cr(VI) spikes and the method's reliability for Cr(VI) characterization. Complete dissolution of K₂CrO₄, BaCrO₄, and PbCrO₄ spikes confirmed the extraction of soluble and insoluble Cr(VI) forms. Ancillary soil chemical parameters, including oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) (reported herein as E_h), pH, S^2–, and total organic C were quantified and interpreted to explain poor Cr(VI) spike recoveries. Highly reducing samples yielded 0% Cr(VI) spike recoveries, as predicted from E_h-pH relationships, and unspiked soil samples contained no detectable Cr(VI). In soils containing Cr(VI) and in most aerobic soils without native Cr(VI), acceptable Cr(VI) spike recoveries were obtained. Ancillary parameter characterization demonstrated that strongly reducing samples cannot maintain Cr(VI) laboratory matrix spikes. Correct interpretation of poor Cr(VI) spike recovery data should avoid labeling these data as unacceptable method results without ancillary parameter characterization of such samples.