Copper Sensor System for Unattended Marine Operations II: Development of a Polymer Sensor and Field Tests

摘要

A major source of trace metal contamination in the marine environment isthe copper containing anti-fouling paints on ship halls. This research examines the potential of 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl- 1,10-phenanthroline (Bathocuproine=BCP) embedded in the polymer, Nafion 117, for use as a reliable chemical for developing a sensor capable of measuring copper(I)in seawater. The sensor must have: (1) parts per billion (ppb) detectionlimits; (2) capable of operation in marine environments; (3) the abilityto detect copper(I) within 17% of measurements made with the Standard Method BCS procedure. The use of the polymer with Bathocuproine (BCP) allows for a rapid electronic measurement. This electronic measurement uses optical fibers running from a small spectrophotometer to either a flow through or a submersible device containing the BCP impregnated polymer. Response times for the devices depend on the size of the membrane used and the flow rate. The flow cell takes eight minutes to reach a peak optical density while the submersible probe takes one minute. Nafion 117 polymer impregnated with Bathocuproine (BCP) is a rapid method used for detecting copper(I) released into the marine environment.