Abstract
Concentrations of the free copper(II) species (Cu/sup 2 +/) measured by the ion exchange/atomic absorption (IEX) method in the presence of various concentrations of the ligands citrate, glycinate, phthalate, salicylate, chloride, and fulvate are compared to concentrations measured with a cupric ion selective electrode (ISE) and/or to concentrations calculated from known metal-ligand formation constants. The IEX method is considerably more sensitive for Cu/sup 2 +/ than the ISE method but is subject to interference from cationic and neutral copper complexes as well as from filterable colloids copper-hydroxo species at higher pH values. Accurate values of Cu/sup 2 +/ concentration are obtained by both methods in the presence of anionic copper-ligand complexes. Since fulvate, which is the principal ligand present in natural freshwaters, forms anionic copper complexes, the IEX method possesses adequate selectivity for measuring Cu/sup 2 +/ at trace levels in such waters. The complexing capacity of an acidic lake water with a very low dissolved organic carbon content was measured as 3.0 x 10/sup -8/ M by monitoring Cu/sup 2 +/ concentration by the IEX method during titration with copper nitrate.
Published Version
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