Comparability of copper complexation capacity determination by absorption by chelating resin column and cathodic stripping voltammetry

A simple method has been developed for the determination of copper complexation capacity. It is based on absorption of non-complexed species on a chelating resin column. The limit of detection is for complexation equivalent to 3 (mu)g Cu l^-1 and the relative standard deviation of results is 10%. The method has been shown to be of comparable performance with voltammetric techniques in respect of the ligands detected. The approach offers the possibility of use in the field and of application to the determination of the speciation of other divalent trace metals.