Quote:
Originally Posted by
GeoJ http:///t/328079/reef-safe-cooper-level#post_3410276
Copper in the Ocean Environment
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
A number of studies were reviewed that investigate copper concentrations in ocean water, sediments and organisms. The purpose of reviewing the studies was to compare natural versus anthropogenic copper concentrations. It was found that large variations in concentrations do occur in ocean water, sediments and organisms due to both naturally occurring and anthropogenic copper. Copper is an essential micronutrient to both plants and animals. As such, organisms were found to have mechanisms to deal with copper levels in their environment from both natural and anthropogenic copper within the ranges studied. It was also concluded that when studying copper in the environment both natural varying copper levels and varying concentrations due to anthropoge nic copper must be considered.
This is very true.....Gold also exists in seawater - in fact there is more gold dissolved in the Earths' seawater than there is available in the reachable crust of the planet. Same goes with about ALL the metal elements found on the periodic table of elements. Sadly, copper - in testable amounts for the aquarist (ppm) is a problem for many sea creatures. (please see most on line retailers tips for maintaining shrimps, stars, clams, etc. - usually copper levels high enough to test positive for our kits are fatal.) ALL the metals exist in natural seawater - from Antimony to Zinc - but if ANY of them exceed "natural" values - problems will arise in the home aquarium.