A new test method for copper between 0.001–2 mg/L copper

[HighlandReefer]

Is this an easy test procedure if one had a spectrophotometer for testing marine water? The lower limit is much better than I have seen.

Rapid Determination of Copper(I, II) Ions
Using Reagent Indicator Paper
http://www.springerlink.com/content/...ext.pdf?page=1

From it:

Abstract
—A rapid, sensitive, and highly selective test based on the reaction of copper(I) with thio-Michler’s
ketone was developed for the detection and semiquantitative determination of 0.001–2 mg/L copper in natural
and potable waters using preconcentration in a portable indicator device. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was
used to select reagent concentrations for immobilization on paper and study the conditions and performance
characteristics of the procedure.

[tatuvaaj]

but:

"The detection and semiquantitative determination of Cu(I, II) in natural and potable water using the pro- posed test do not interfere with the 1000-fold amounts of Al(III), Co(II), Mn(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cl–, and SO2–; 4
500-fold amounts of Cd(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), and fulvic and humic acids; and 200-fold amounts of Mo(VI) and V(V)."

Note Cl- and SO4--

[HighlandReefer]

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean.

I guess you are saying it won't work for reef application?

[tatuvaaj]

Seems like Cl- and SO4-- needs to be less than 1000x Cu for that test method - seawater has 19,353 ppm Cl- and 900 ppm SO4--.

[HighlandReefer]

Ok, now I understand. Thanks Tatu.

[tatuvaaj]

I can be cryptic sometimes (or oftentimes?)

[HighlandReefer]

Back to the drawling board for finding some easy, cheap test method to determine heavy metal concentrations in reef tanks. At least a method a non-chemist might be able to use.