Oxidation kinetics of Cu(I) in seawater: implications for its existence in the marine environment

A variety of photochemical and thermochemical processes may lead to the formation of Cu(I) in the upper water column. A thermodynamic model based on measured steady state levels of H2O2 in the photic zone indicates that a significant proportion of total dissolved Cu is present as Cu(I). The oxidation kinetics of Cu(I) in seawater have been studied to assess the potential for Cu(I) to accumulate at significant steady state levels when it is generated by non-equilibrium processes.