Effect of copper binding by suspended particulate matter on toxicity

The kinetics of Cu(II) interactions with Susquehanna River (mid-Atlantic, USA) particle suspensions using the copper ion selective electrode (Cu-ISE) method indicated that the concentration of Cu2+ in both the suspension and filtrate was kinetically controlled; the reaction of Cu(II) in the suspension was faster than that in the filtrate. Bioassay tests were performed in continuous flow-through bioassay systems to examine the effect of kinetics of Cu(II) interactions with suspended solids on the toxicity of Cu to Ceriodaphnia dubia. The toxicity curves were displaced to higher total Cu concentration as the reaction time increased, indicating that such interaction of Cu with solids was time dependent. Further, the toxicity curves overlapped for reaction times of 6 and 24 h, indicating that the reaction was relatively rapid and that equilibrium was achieved within 6 h. The survival of organisms was related to the free Cu2+ concentration but deviated from the result for bioassays in which dissolved organic matter (DOM) rather than particles reacted with the added Cu(II) to affect the free Cu2+ concentration. It may be interpreted that, besides the toxic effect of Cu2+, particles exert adverse influences on the organisms.