Copper sulfate influence

Copper is considered to be among the more mobile of the heavy metals in surface environments. Copper is bound, or adsorbed, to organic materials, and to clay and mineral surfaces. The degree of copper adsorption to soils depends on the level of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Although copper sulfate is highly water soluble-that is, it dissolves very easily in water-the copper ions are strongly adsorbed or precipitated to soil particles when it is applied to soil .
When applied to irrigation water, copper sulfate does not accumulate in the surrounding soils. 60% of applied copper was deposited in the sediments at the bottom of the irrigation ditch, where it became adsorbed to clay, mineral and organic particles. Copper compounds, or precipitates, also settle out of solution, in a process called precipitation. This occurs less often than adsorption.