Complexation Capacity and Conditional Stability Constants for Copper of Sea- and Estuarine Waters, Sediment Extracts and Colloids

Trace metals in the environment occur in a variety of forms in solution, in colloids and particulates. Speciation studies try to distinguish between different dissolved forms (valence state, ionic, (in)organic complexed). Speciation has become important in studies concerning transport processes and the fate of trace elements. The toxic effects of trace elements are very much related to their form in the environment (see eg. Langston & Bryan, this volume).