Use of an ion-selective electrode for free copper measurements in low salinity and low ionic strength matrices

The determination of free copper concentrations in natural matrices is critical for the evaluation of copper toxicity. The ISE is one of the few analytical means for determining the direct speciation of free metal species. We have refined the method for low salinity and low ionic strength solutions for application with soil water extracts or fresh waters. Moreover, we have detailed and standardised a method for using a Cu-ISE with an autotitrator. The standardisation shows a good response and allows significant time saving (under 2 h for the calibration). The results obtained using the ISE are compared with those predicted in the presence of different organic ligands or even the lower free Cu2+ activities resulting from the formation of Cu hydroxyl species. The method was validated for the determination of Cu speciation at environmentally relevant free Cu2+ activity, i.e. ranging between 10(-14) and 10(-4) M. The chemical equilibrium calculations were made using the MINEQL+ software and the results agree well for pH values between 3 and 10. In terms of precision, the standard deviations of the measured values never exceed 0.1 units, and in terms of accuracy, the measured values were very close to the nominal values, within a range of 0.1. Outside the optimal pH range, the electrode yields higher activity than expected.