Effect of chelation on toxicity of copper

Metals in the sea may form complexes with organic compounds, a process known as chelation, and this may modify their properties very greatly. Here the effect of chelation on the toxicity of copper to algae has been studied in the laboratory using the powerful chelating agent EDTA. Similar phenomena in the sea have implications both for anti-fouling paints, which usually contain copper, and for metal pollution in waters with a high organic content.