Metal Species Transformations in Soils: An Analytical Approach

Abstract
The determination of metal species in solutions is important to evaluate their biological activity in natural ecosystems. The practical possibilities of different analytical techniques to determine and speciate metals in soil systems are discussed. Separative techniques such as ion exchange chromatography and gelpermeation chromatography allow a species estimation based on charge characteristics or molecular size of water soluble metal compounds. Electrochemical techniques such as potentiometry with ion-selective electrodes and polarography provide more detailed information about complex formation and stability.