Abstract
Thallium is a rare and easily dispersed element with high toxicity to organisms. Relatively high levels of thallium (∼9.58 mg kg−1) had been found in aqua regia soil extract of an accidentally polluted soil from south of Spain. To assess the available and leachable portions of thallium in the polluted soil, single and sequential extraction procedures have been utilized. Further, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic studies have also been used to find out the mineral phases. The amount of thallium extracted by the extracting agents in comparison to aqua regia, as well as the different phase associations are discussed.
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Acknowledgements
C. R. M. Rao is thankful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education for a sabbatical fellowship for his stay in Spain (SAB 2005-0143) and also to Government of India for the sanction of necessary leave. The authors also thank DGICYT (Project CTQ 2006-02924) for financial support and Serveis Científico-Tècnics (Universitat de Barcelona) for their help in XRD, SEM and ICP measurements.
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Rao, C.R.M., Ruiz-Chancho, M.J., Sahuquillo, A. et al. Assessment of Extractants for the Determination of Thallium in an Accidentally Polluted Soil. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 81, 334–338 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9473-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9473-y