Trace analysis and speciation of copper by application of an urease reactor

Summary A method for metal speciation using an enzyme reactor is described. The enzyme urease is immobilized on a polymer support. The parameters of the inhibition procedure are investigated for the determination of copper in drinking and surface water samples. The results are compared with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. It has been found that the enzyme urease was inhibited only by free copper ions.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday