Copper sulphate (CuSO4) is a widely used chemical salt in agricultural and industrial fields as well as in pharmaceuticals and research. Because copper sulphate exothermically dissolves in water, it gives off heat and can substantially raise the temperature of the water in which it is added. For copper sulphate, or other chemicals needed, your chemical supplier in Florida, Bell Chem, is happy to provide more information on our products and services.

Medical applications:  Copper sulphate is a commonly used germicide and antiseptic agent in public swimming pools, either by adding it to the water or incorporating it into the foundation of the floor where it has been proven to eliminate the spread of athlete’s foot and contagious diseases. Copper sulphate also inhibits bacterial growth such as Escherichia coli. Medical tests for anemia utilize copper sulphate at a specific gravity; as blood is added to CuSO4, it should sink unless the individual’s blood being tested is anemic, in which case the insufficient amount of hemoglobin in the blood causes it to remain buoyant within the solution.

Pharmaceutical applications: As a raw material, copper sulfate is used in the manufacture of copper catalysts.

Agricultural applications:  Copper sulphate is a herbicide, but is generally not used on crops. Instead, it controls invasive aquatic plants growing near public water or sewer pipes.  Very diluted copper sulphate treats aquarium fish for parasitic infections, or the aquarium itself to remove snails. It may also be used as a fungicide when mixed with either lime or ammonium carbonate.

Analytical applications: The Biuret reagent reaction tests for proteins by adding copper sulphate, and Fehling’s solution and Benedict’s solution both test for sugar reduction by copper sulphate’s indicative color transformation. To distinguish barium from copper sulphate, a flame test proves that CuSO emits a much deeper green light than barium. In the presence of chlorine, however, copper sulphate emits a deep blue light.

From farmers to pharmacists, copper sulphate is a chemical salt with interesting and differentiated properties. Contact your chemical supplier in Florida Bell Chem today to determine how your business can benefit by adding copper sulphate to its chemical inventory.