Measuring Copper in Seawater - An Automated Detection of Copper Binding Capacity

Abstract

The mechanism for the detection of copper by ion selective electrodes in seawater has been examined. Contrary to common perception, the direct detection of copper with ion selective electrodes is unlikely to be possible due to the low levels of uncomplexed copper present. Instead, it is proposed that the ion selective electrodes measure the activity of naturally-occurring binding ligands for copper and thereby provide an indirect determination of uncomplexed copper, which is the species most likely to be toxic to organisms. A potentially automated system is described to measure the complexing ability of the seawater system for copper and other metals. This system can allow the determination of excess binding capability for the water system and thereby predict if a water body can absorb extra toxic metals.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 19, 2003
Accession Number
ADA419453

Entities

People

  • David A Kidwell

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Basic Programming Language
  • Chelate Compounds
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Corrosion
  • Crystal Lattices
  • Detection
  • Electrodes
  • Hydroxides
  • Ion Selective Electrodes
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Salt Water
  • Spectra
  • Spectrometers
  • Water
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science