Copper complexation in English rivers

Data for copper complexation capacity (CC), determined by cathodic strippin g voltammetry, are presented for 36 English rivers. Values for CC were betw een 40 and 500 nM. No predictive relationship between major water quality p arameters and CC was found. A comparison of determinations made on the same water bodies over several years points towards consistency of CC with time . It is concluded that, in river waters of a wide range of types, forms of copper complexed by organic matter predominate substantially over free or i norganic forms of the metal.