The extraction conditions were optimised using a freeze-dried 2-line
ferrihydrite (F) that was approximately 6 months old (and was thus
relatively stable with respect to further aging; see later discussion). In a
first set of experiments the effects of different extraction conditions were
evaluated. Sub-samples of the ferrihydrite F were treated for 24 h by an
ascorbic acid solution buffered at pH 7.5. The extractant was a deoxygenated
solution of 50 g L−1 sodium citrate (0.17 M) and 50 g L−1
sodium bicarbonate (0.6M) towhich 10 g L−1 of ascorbic acid (0.057 M)
was added. About 30 mg of the sample was mixed with 10 mL of the
ascorbic acid mixture, shaken for 24 h at room temperature and then
filtered through 0.45 μmmembrane filters and the aqueous fraction was
analysed for Fe (see later discussion). The labile Fe dissolved by ascorbic
acid is hereafter termed FeA. In order to test the effect of pH (see later
discussion) on this extraction procedure, sub-samples of ferrihydrite F
were reactedwith ascorbic acidwith the pH adjusted to range from7.0 to
8.5. Extractions were also carried out at ascorbic acid concentrations
varying from 0.057 to 0.17 M.