Investigations of copper speciation and bioavailability
- Univ. of Mississippi, University, MS (United States)
Speciation, or form in which copper occurs, can effect the bioavailability and therefore, the toxicity of that element. One needs to determine the bioavailable forms of copper in sediment/water effects on organisms. In both water and sediment experiments, physical/chemical factors influencing copper speciation were evaluated and related to organism responses. Ten day aqueous experiments encompassing a range of pH (6.5--8.1), alkalinity (10--70 mg/L as CaCO{sub 3}), hardness (10--70 mg/L as CaCO{sub 3}) and conductivity (30--300 umhos/cm) were conducted using Hyalella azteca. Amphipod survival was evaluated relative to changes in water characteristics and concomitant changes in copper speciation as measured using atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AA) for acid extractable copper, and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) for labile copper. Ten day LC50s based on AA measured copper concentrations ranged from 42 to 142 ug/L Cu, and LC50s based on DPASV measured copper concentrations ranged from 17.4--24.8 ug/L Cu. Ten day sediment experiments encompassing a range of sediment pH, organic carbon content, acid volatile sulfides and redox concentrations were also conducted using H. azteca. Overlying water (AA and DPASV) and sediment copper concentrations (AA) were measured and evaluated relative to organism survival. Ten day sediment test LC50s based on DPASV measured copper concentrations in overlying water were 18.5 and 18 ug/L Cu for experiments in sandy and silty sediments, respectively. Organism survival, used as a measure of bioavailable copper, was evaluated in relation to measured copper species concentrations and used to develop guidelines for predicting copper toxicity in freshwater systems.
- OSTI ID:
- 225192
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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