Fractionation of Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludges

Metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) have been fractionated in representative sewage sludges (primary, secondary, digested) by a sequential extraction procedure using KNO₃ 1M (removes the ‘exchangeable' fraction), KF 0.5M (‘sorbed'), Na₄P₂O₇ 0.1M (‘organic'), Na₂EDTA 0.1M (‘carbonate') and HNO₃ 6M (‘sulphide'). Major differences according to sludge type were not seen. Cd occurred mainly in the ‘carbonate' fraction and 38–62% of Cr was in the ‘organic' fraction. 43–70% Cu was in the sulphide fraction whilst >40% of Ni was extracted in the ‘exchangeable/sorbed' fractions. Pb was found predominantly in the ‘organic' and ‘carbonate' fractions and Zn in the ‘organic' fraction. The complete extraction procedure removed 54–100% of the total metals content of the sludges. Changes in fractionation caused by drying, storage and time of extraction are reported. The results form the first part of a detailed investigation into the chemistry of metals in sewage sludge.