Response of the jalpaite membrane copper(II) ion-selective electrode in marine waters

The response of the Orion 94-29 Cu^II ion-selective electrode (ISE) [employing a jalpaite membrane] in seawater has been related to levels of free Cu^II yielding results for the Derwent River and San Diego Bay that are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than those for the Pacific Ocean. Response data for the electrode in acidified seawater at pH 2 are internally consistent with total Cu^II levels determined using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). It has been found that, even in acidified seawater, the organic ligands influence the response of the electrode, and this effect can be compensated successfully by either analyzing UV-photooxidized seawater and/or using a standard addition technique. The assigned ISE results for total Cu^II in acidified seawater fall within ± (0.1–0.5) pCu unit of values determined using GFAAS. Electrode drift in seawater can be minimized by using a polished electrode that has been conditioned in seawater for 24 h. The improved response rate of a conditioned ISE minimizes electrode soaking times and sample contamination through membrane corrosion.