Total content and extractable fraction of cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc in calcareous orchard soils

The levels and availability of six heavy metals cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in calcareous orchard soils were measured in an investigation of a method for the determination of total content and extractable fraction of these metals by atomic absorption spectrometry. The digestion step was performed comparatively using two different types of heating. Cadmium, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) and Cd was determined by electrothermal or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) using the method of standard addition. The detection limits, precision values, and accuracy (recovery assays) show the reliability of the method. The conditions for the determination of the extractable fraction of the metals were also optimized. Extraction time for Cd and Zn was studied, and the application of two hours of shaking was selected. The tested method was applied to real samples corresponding to highly calcareous orchard soils characteristic of the Mediterranean area. Only Zn, Cu and Pb showed high levels in their extractable forms, whereas Cd and Co had highest levels in their total contents. An important bio-availability was observed in all the studied metals, but mainly for Cd and Pb.