Leaching of Heavy Metals from an Aquatic Plant (<i>Lagarosiphon Major</i>) used as Environmental Biomonitor by Ultrasonic Extraction

Abstract Ultrasound energy by means of a probe sonicator was used for leaching metal ions from plant tissue as a possible alternative to conventional digestion methods. The extraction conditions (composition of the extractant agent, sonication power and time and extraction steps) were optimised for copper, lead, manganese and zinc in an aquatic plant with certified metal contents (BCR N° 60 Lagarosiphon major). Metal determination in the extracts was carried out by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Quantitative recoveries performing two extractions (ranging from 97.6% to 100%) were obtained for all the studied elements except for copper (74.18%). A good precision was also obtained, given that RSD were always lower than 2.5%. Key Words: Metal leachingaquatic plantflame atomic absorption spectrometrycopperleadmanganesezinc