What Are Copper Sulfate Crystals?
Copper sulfate crystals are blue crystals formed from copper and several other chemical elements, including iron and lead. The blue crystals can be created in a classroom or a scientific lab. The crystals can form in a day or over millions of years. The chemical elements develop into crystals as temperatures change and water evaporates.
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Copper Sulfate Crystals
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Copper sulfate crystals form from a copper sulfate solution. Copper sulfate is added to warm water to create a saturated solution. Crystals begin to develop as the water cools and evaporates. As the copper sulfate expands beyond the water solution, rows of crystals form. Fine and coarse crystals are manufactured commercially. For example, copper sulfate pentahydrate is an economical type of copper that is readily available in a crystal form. The blue crystals dissolve easily in water, glycerol and methanol. The odorless blue crystals are often called bluestone or blue vitriol.
Copper Sulfate Crystal Composition
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The copper sulfate crystals contain several other chemical elements in addition to copper. The raw materials may included 25 percent copper and lesser amounts of iron, lead, chromium, cadmium, antimony and arsenic. A fine crystal sample might contain 25 percent copper, plus 250 parts per million (ppm) of iron, 25 ppm of lead, 25 ppm of chromium, 3 ppm of cadmium, 3 ppm of antimony and 2 ppm of arsenic. The compound is regulated as an environmentally hazardous substance. Chemical solutions made from the crystals must be handled and stored with caution.
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Types of Copper Sulfate Crystals
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Copper sulfate crystals are used in manufacturing, production, fields and feed. The crystals are produced at a feed grade as fine crystals and coarse crystals. The feed grade provides a source of copper in livestock diets. The fine crystals are used in dyes, pigments and cleaning chemicals. The crystals helps control plant fungal disease, treat wood mildew and decay, aid steel industry plating and pickling and recover mine lead and zinc. The coarse crystals are used in agriculture, water and sewage systems. The crystals prevent the growth of tadpoles in rice fields, algae in water supplies and roots in sewage systems.
Safety and Hazards
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The feed, fine and coarse crystals must be handled with care. The chemicals can cause eye irritations and skin sensitivities due to the acidity. Goggles can protect the eyes. Rubber gloves are recommended. Serious allergic reactions can occur with contact. The crystals should never be ingested by humans, because they are poisonous to humans; they are also highly toxic to fish and aquatic animals. They should be stored in accordance with state and federal regulations and treated as an environmentally hazardous substance. They must be stored in a cool dry place out of the reach of children.
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References
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