Abstract
The interactions of malic acid, phosphate ion, and urea with metal ions (aluminum, copper, iron, lead, manganese, and mercury) at different pH values (3.7, 5.0, 7.0, and 8.5) were investigated using a model system simulating natural conditions. The system consists of the ascending paper chromatography of metals in the tap water or in the solution of malic acid and mixture of malic acid, urea, or phosphate ion as developer. The chromatographic results show that malic acid increases the mobilities of all examined metals except mercury.