Levels Of Copper In Water Research Articles

(Non-)leaking of electric scooter batteries dumped for more than a year in a freshwater pond

BackgroundElectric scooters become popular in Western cities as new mobility option. Start-up companies rent out e-scooters in major cities, such as Paris, Cologne, Copenhagen and elsewhere. However, the scooters are frequently vandalized and thrown into surface waters. There is concern about a new kind of water pollution from leaking scooter batteries. MethodsTwo scooter batteries (lithium ion type) were dumped into artificial 200 L ponds for over a year. Concentrations of Li, Mn, Co, Ni and Cu in the pond water were several times analyzed by ICP-MS over a period of 16 months. ResultsIn ponds with dumped batteries, copper levels in water were elevated (8.9 to 40.6 μg/L versus ≤0.6 μg/L in controls), as well as nickel levels (4.8 to 7.2 μg/L versus ≤0.6 μg/L in controls), while lithium concentrations were only slightly higher (7.1 to 9.6 μg/L versus 6.4 to 6.7 μg/L in controls), as were levels of Co (<1 μg/L, except one sample). Manganese was lower in ponds with battery than in controls. ConclusionsLess than 1‰ of the toxic metals Ni, Co and Cu stored in the battery pack was recovered from the test ponds, and these amounts can be explained by corrosion of the connections and of the steel encapsulation of the batteries. No elevated levels of Mn were observed in the test ponds. We conclude that the batteries are well sealed against leaking, and dilution in natural water bodies will minimize the hazard to aquatic organisms. Nonetheless, rapid removal of batteries dumped by vandals into rivers and lakes from the surface waters is advised because no sealing can hold forever.

Synthesis and application of cerium oxide nanoparticles for preconcentration of trace levels of copper in water and foods followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

In the present work, microwave method has been employed for synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) and it was used for preconcentration of trace levels of Cu(ІІ) in different real samples followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that CeO2 NPs were successfully synthesized in the size of 10–20 nm. By using a batch method, CeO2 NPs have been used as efficient, easy to synthesize and efficient adsorbent for highly rapid solid phase extraction of Cu(ІІ) in different real samples for the first time. The effects of different parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as pH, extraction time, type and concentration of desorbent solvent and desorbent time were completely investigated and optimum conditions selected. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 10–300 ng cm−3 Cu(ІІ) with correlation coefficient of 0.998. The relative standard (RSD, %) based on six replicate analysis of 50 ng cm−3 Cu(ІІ) was 3.3%. In order to check the accuracy of the proposed method certified reference material, CRM-TMDW and GBW07605 tea reference material, with the known amounts of 20 ng cm−3 Cu(ІІ) and 17.3 ± 0.3 µg g−1 Cu, respectively, were analyzed and the obtained results (19.5 ± 1.0 ng cm−3 Cu(ІІ) for CRM-TMDW and 17.0 ± 0.7 µg g−1 Cu) show very good agreement with the CRM certified values (Student t-test, 95% confidence limit, n = 5). Finally the proposed method was successfully applied for determination of trace levels of Cu(ІІ) in different water (tap, spring and river) and food samples (black tea, lentil, sesame, cabbage, wheat and liver).

Coefficient of Condition in Relation to Copper Levels in Muscle of Serranochromis Fish and Sediment from the Kafue River, Zambia

The Kafue River is the major source of drinking water and commercial fish for most towns in Zambia although few reports exist concerning toxic effects of pollutants on organisms dependent on the River. The objective of this study was to determine the coefficient of condition (CC) relative to copper levels in fish muscle and sediment collected during the dry and rainy seasons, from sites upstream, within and downstream to the copper mining area along the river. The CC of fish was calculated to determine plumpness and robustness while copper levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Copper levels in water from all sites during the dry and rainy seasons were below the detection limit of 0.001 mg/L thus lower than the average for lakes and rivers of 0.004 mg/L. Rainy season levels in sediment were not significantly different among all sites (p > 0.05). However, dry season levels in sediment were significantly higher (p<0.001) at Chipata (23.4 mg/kg) and Kumasamba (91.93 mg/kg), within the mining area, compared to other sites.

Effect of sublethal concentrations of copper on the growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus

Summary The study evaluated the effect of different sublethal concentrations of copper in water (0, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.5 p.p.m.) on the behavioural response, growth performance, and whole body and liver composition of Oreochromis niloticus. Hyperactivity and reduced exploratory behaviour were observed when fishes were subjected to different levels of copper in water as compared with the control. Fish refused to accept the feed immediately after exposure and only began taking it up after about 4–5 h as compared with the control. Weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor (k) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as compared with the control; this decrease was linearly correlated with the increase of copper concentration in water. Exposure of the fish to different copper concentrations in water significantly (P < 0.05) reduced their feed consumption as compared with the control. Values for the feed conversion ratio increased (P < 0.05) whereas the protein efficiency ratio and net protein retention values decreased (P < 0.05) with the copper level increase in water. The hepatosomatic index increased with the copper concentration increase in water. Body moisture and ash contents were the highest (P < 0.05) whereas the fat and gross energy contents were the lowest (P < 0.05) in fish reared in water containing 0.5 p.p.m. of copper as compared with others. No significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in the whole body crude protein content of fish exposed to different concentrations of copper as compared with the control. Liver moisture and ash contents increased (P < 0.05) whereas the crude protein, fat, nitrogen free extract and gross energy contents decreased (P < 0.05) when the fish were exposed to different concentrations of copper as compared with the control. The liver glycogen level decreased whereas the copper level in the whole body and liver increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the copper concentration increase in water.

Contamination and Wildlife Communities in Stormwater Detention Ponds in Guelph and the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, 1997 and 1998 Part II — Contamination and Biological Effects of Contamination

Abstract Due to concerns that wildlife may be attracted to Stormwater detention ponds and would be exposed to contaminants accumulating in these ponds, a field study of 15 Stormwater ponds and one natural wetland in Guelph and the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, was performed in 1997 and 1998. At 9 of 16 sites, copper levels in water exceeded the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines (CWQGs) for the protection of aquatic life. Canadian Water Quality Guidelines were also exceeded by average water concentrations for lead at four sites, for zinc at three sites, for chromium at seven sites, and turbidity at ten sites. At the natural wetland, only turbidity levels exceeded the CWQGs. Sediments from all ponds contained concentrations of at least one contaminant that exceeded the “lowest effects level” (LED of the Guidelines for the Protection and Management of Aquatic Sediment in Ontario. Stormwater pond sediments contained concentrations exceeding provincial sediment quality guidelines at the LEL for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (g-bhc), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total phosphorus (TP), turbidity, oil and grease, total PAHs, chromium, zinc, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and arsenic. Concentrations of g-bhc, TKN, TP, cadmium, copper, lead, zinc and arsenic in the sediment of the natural wetland also exceeded the LEL. Sediments at one site exceeded the provincial guideline at the severe effect level for chromium. Concentrations of lead, zinc, cadmium and total PAHs in sediments were correlated with the age of the ponds. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were low (&amp;lt;0.08 µg/g wet weight) in pump-kinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) collected from two ponds in Guelph. Red-winged blackbird [Agelaius phoeniceus) eggs from two ponds in Toronto contained up to 1130 ng/g pp’DDE and up to 670 ng/g total PCBs. Those concentrations were much higher than in a reference site, but an order of magnitude below concentrations associated with health effects in songbirds. Among four Stormwater ponds and one natural wetland in Guelph, there was statistically lower hatching success of northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) eggs, and larvae took longer to metamorphose into frogs at two Stormwater ponds. Statistically fewer tadpoles survived to metamorphosis at one Stormwater pond. We conclude that Stormwater ponds do not offer clean ecosystems for wildlife and the monitoring of contamination and its effects within Stormwater ponds is necessary.

The gastrointestinal tract and acute effects of copper in drinking water and beverages.

Copper is an essential element for all living beings. Exposure to copper results almost exclusively from the ingestion of food and water. Generally, potable water contains low levels of copper, but high concentrations of this mineral have been found in water from private wells or when water or beverages with low pH have been conducted through copper piping. Some authors have associated acute gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting) with elevated levels of copper in water or beverages, but without excluding other confounding factors that could produce such symptoms. Recently, various controlled studies have demonstrated that a concentration of 2 mg Cu/L of potable water does not produce an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms in infants, and that in women, only concentrations greater than 3 mg Cu/L increase the number of episodes of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, but not diarrhea. This critical analysis of scientific publications verifies the WHO provisional level for copper in drinking water (2 mg/L) as safe for human health.

Copper pipes as a source of copper exposure in man and environment

Copper pipes in the water distribution system are widely used all over the world. Corrosion of the pipes causes elevated copper levels in the drinking water. The corrosion depends on the water composition and the stagnation time of the water in the pipes. Low pH is a main factor determining the release of copper, and high alkalinity is also an important contributing factor, especially at a low pH. This is in contrast to corrosion of iron pipes, which is prevented by increasing the alkalinity. Copper in drinking water may contribute significantly to the dietary intake of copper, and sometimes drinking water is the major source. However, it is difficult to calculate the intake of copper from drinking water, as the concentrations can vary one or two orders of magnitude, depending on the flushing habits. Gastrointestinal effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pains) have been reported after exposure to high concentrations of copper in drinking water. Owing to lack of data, the tolerated level of copper in water can not be firmly established, but guideline values of 1-2 mg/L have been recommended. A higher sensitivity in newborns to elevated copper exposure has been suggested. Release of copper from the pipes will also result in elevated copper concentrations in waste-water sludge and may limit the use of sludge for agricultural purposes. The critical concentration at which copper must be considered from ecotoxicological aspects depend on the biota and exposure conditions at the actual site. Major effects due to elevated copper concentrations in the environment includes decreased growth of plants, disturbed reproduction in several species of invertebrates, and copper poisoning in livestock and fish. Aquatic organisms, especially certain species of crustaceans, have the highest sensitivity to copper toxicity. Effects on fish can be significant already at levels below 0.01 mg/L. The consequences of the extensive and widespread environmental pollution of copper from the intentional use of copper as piping material need to be investigated and thoroughly evaluated.Key words: copper, drinking water, plumbing, health effects, toxicity, sewage sludge.

Corrosion and Leaching of Copper Tubing Exposed to Chlorinated Drinking Water

The leaching of lead and copper from plumbing materials is a source of metals in drinking water and is a public health concern. This work investigated the influence of free chlorine (HOCl/OCl-) on the level of copper in water in contact with the solid metal, and proposed an oxidation-dissolution mechanism to explain copper leaching. Experimental results are presented for the leaching of copper metal exposed to chlorine-disinfected water under various pH, free chlorine, dissolved oxygen, total carbonate, chloride, and water volume conditions. The rate of copper leaching is found to be accelerated in waters with high free chlorine concentrations and low pHs. The leaching is explained by a proposed mechanism involving two consecutive steps: (1) direct oxidative attack on the solid metal surface by the free chlorine, followed by (2) dissolution of the partially oxidized copper surface as determined by the solubility of the copper mineral products at a particular pH.

Effects of sublethal and lethal copper levels on hemolymph acid-base balance and ion concentrations in the shore crab Carcinus maenas kept in undiluted sea water

Hemolymph acid-base balance and ion concentrations were measured in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas (L.), kept in fullstrength sea water (≈33‰ S) and exposed to sublethal (0.5 mg l-1) and lethal (1 and 2 mg l-1) levels of copper in water. The study was conducted throughout the year 1987 on crabs collected near Arcachon (France). Whatever the dose, waterborne copper induced metabolic acidosis without marked changes of hemolymph ion concentrations. At the sublethal copper level, the acidosis was non-lactic and partly compensated by transitory hypocapnia. Complete recovery was observed within 20 d. At intermediate and lethal copper levels, this primary acidosis was later reinforced by hypercapnia and accumulation of lactic acid, indicating that restriction of respiratory gas exchange is the probable cause of death. A steep increase in the hemolymph calcium concentration before death suggests buffering of the acidosis by calcium-carbonate stores from the exoskeleton.

Selective and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of copper in water after collection of its bathocuproine complex on an organic-solvent-soluble membrane filter

A rapid and simple preconcentration technique which can be used in place of solvent extraction, has been applied to the spectrophotometric determination of copper in water. Copper(II) is reduced to copper(I) by hydroxylammonium chloride and complexed with Bathocuproine (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline). The Bathocuproine complex is collected on a nitrocellulose membrane filter by passing the solution through the filter. The membrane filter and the complex are dissolved in a small volume of 2-methoxyethanol (Methylcellosolve) and the absorbance due to the complex in the solvent is measured at 477 nm. The proposed method is nearly specific to copper. It is less tedious than the conventional solvent extraction method and can be used by inexperienced workers. Enrichment factors as high as 100 can easily be attained, so that μg l −1 levels of copper in water can be determined precisely without using expensive apparatus such as a furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. The detection limit is 0.12 μg in 500 ml sample on a 3 σ b basis.

Increased Susceptibility of Rainbow Trout to Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus After Exposure to Copper

Exposure of rainbow trout to sublethal levels of copper in water increased their susceptibility to infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus. In most instances, the percent mortality was twice as great in the stressed groups compared with those groups which were not stressed but received the same virus dose. Although the level of copper in the water influenced the mortality rates, the length of exposure did not prove to be critical, as similar results were obtained after 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 days of exposure. When different virus challenges were employed, the percent mortalities were again greater in the stressed fish at all virus doses tested, and at one dose level mortalities were noted in the stressed group but not in the untreated group.

The effect of copper on the oxygen consumption rates of the stonefly nymph, Phasganophora capitata (Pictet) (Plecoptera)

The respiratory rate of several stonefly nymphs was observed in different levels of copper in water (0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, 4.0 mg/l). An increase of 24 to 30% in oxygen consumption rate was observed in copper solutions of 0.8 to 2.4 and 4 mg/l. A highly significant increase of 55% occurred in 3.2 mg/l.

Experimental studies on the effects of copper on a marine food chain

Effects of copper sulphate on a marine food chain were investigated in large tanks at Loch Ewe on the west coast of Scotland. The food chain consisted of phytoplankton, the bivalve Tellina tenuis da Costa, and O-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L). During initial months after settlement, T. tenuis siphons are an important food for juvenile plaice, which feed by grazing the siphon tips; these subsequently regenerate. Copper dose rates of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1 were investigated; the distribution of added copper was monitored and its metabolic effects were determined. Copper levels in water, sand, in algae on tank walls, in T. tenuis shell and flesh, and in plaice muscle and viscera were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Copper accumulated in sand, T. tenuis flesh and shell, and plaice viscera. Accumulations were dose-dependent and in no case was a plateau concentration reached. Most of the added dose was taken up by the sand; accumulations in T. tenuis shell were small — less than twice background in all cases. High levels were found in T. tenuis flesh, where concentrations after 100 days were 270, 470 and 1100 μg Cu/g dry flesh for dose concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1, respectively. The mean control concentration was less than 50 μg Cu/g dry flesh. There was no accumulation of copper in plaice muscle. Visceral accumulations after 100 days were 71, 147 and 567 μg Cu/g dry flesh for dose concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1, respectively. The mean control level was 30 μg Cu/g dry flesh. The effect of copper on phytoplankton metabolism was investigated by measuring plant pigment levels and rates of primary photosynthetic fixation of C14-labelled bicarbonate. All dose concentrations reduced both the standing crop and the rate of photosynthesis per unit of chlorophyll a. The effects of copper on growth and condition of T. tenuis and P. platessa were investigated. All dose concentrations adversely affected T. tenuis condition (dry flesh weight for standard individual). The effect was most marked during deposition of winter reserves. In the absence of plaice predation, there was a decrease in the mean siphon weight for T. tenuis exposed to 30 and 100 μg Cu/1. For plaice, all dose concentrations of copper resulted in reduced growth, but there was no significant change in condition or biochemical composition. The ash weight of fish exposed to copper was significantly higher than for controls.