The classic aqua regia and EPA 3051A methods can mislead environmental assessments and certifications: Potentially harmful elements resorption in short-range order materials.

Abstract EPA 3051A and Aqua Regia (AR) are widely adopted by global environmental agencies to assess soil quality in relation to potentially harmful elements (PHE). However, previous study has shown the formation of large amounts of short-range order materials (SRO) in the residues of these extractions. Residues obtained from the 3051A and AR were recovered from filter papers. To characterize the SRO in these residues, sequential extractions were performed with 0.2 mol L−1 ammonium oxalate (AO) and 0.5 mol L−1 NaOH. On average (n = 15), the 3051A and AR residues contained 37% and 60% of SRO, respectively. The largest amounts of SRO formed in the AR residue was in sample 5 (99% of SRO). The main component of the SRO was Al2O3-AO, Fe2O3-AO and SiO2–NaOH. The formation of SRO and PHE resorption levels were random and highly dependent on the mineralogy of the soil clay fraction. Soils rich in smectites, which are more common in temperate regions, formed larger amounts of SRO. The association of Pb with the SRO was more pronounced in the 3051A residue than in the AR residue. If SRO was not extracted after 3051A, in sample 7, for example, 595 mg kg−1 of Pb (10.2%) would have not been accounted. The maximum PHE resorptions in SRO were (%): Pb – 10; Cu – 470; Ba – 280; As – 21. The underestimation of PHE contents due to resorption mechanisms may lead an environmental agency to certify the use of an area contaminated with PHE.