Heavy metals mobilization from harbour sediments using EDTA and citric acid as chelating agents

At the investigated operating conditions, citric acid was unable to extract Pb and Cu from the sediment, while at the strong acidic conditions maintained during the extractions with citric acid, a Zn mobilization up to the 80% of the initial amount was observed, depending upon the operating conditions in the extractions. In addition, because of the great affinity between citric acid and Fe, and the strong acidic conditions maintained during extraction, a high Fe dissolution was observed (up to about the 39% of the total Fe content in the sediment).