Using modified Tessier sequential extraction to specify potentially toxic metals at a former sewage farm

The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Ni mobility using modified Tessier sequential extraction procedure and to study the functional group changes affected by each extraction step using FTIR analysis in the soil of a former sewage farm sedimentation basin. Tessier extraction revealed element dependent fractionation of studied metals: Pb was mostly discovered in the residual fraction (77%) followed by Cr (53%), Cu (8%), and Zn (5%), while Ni was not extracted in this fraction. The organic matter-bound was the dominant species of Cu (77%). Zn and Ni exhibited the highest affinity for Fe/Mn oxides fraction (55% and 39%, respectively). The average recovery rate was 62–111%, whereas the lowest rate was obtained for Ni (62%) and the highest for Cu/Pb (110–111%). Results indicated elevated concentrations of studied elements, with the following order of mobility factor: Ni > Zn > Cu > PbCr. The preliminary interpretation of the sequential extraction FTIR spectral response revealed that DRIFT is applicable to interpret the sequential metal extraction and revealed three most profound changes correlated to the carbonate, Fe/Mn oxides, and OM fraction.