The copper sulfate is a mineral compound that can be type II or pentahydrated according to its formula. It is known as copper sulfate and is used as a fungicide, to maintain pool water, useful in medicine, and even helps to grow tomatoes. It is available in drugstores, where you can buy it, but you must always be careful when handling it as it is toxic.
Contents
What is copper sulfate
It is a chemical compound derived from copper. This element forms blue crystals that can dissolve in water and methanol. It is also soluble in glycerin and alcohol. It is commonly used in its chemical form as anhydrous copper sulfate, which changes its color, and instead of being blue, it becomes green. In some products, in its commercial form, it gives a light gray color.
The most common types of copper sulfate are:
- Anhydrous.
- Pentahydrated.
- Hydrated.
What is interesting and makes its formulation easy to recognize is the color, along with its properties. When it is hydrated, it takes on a deep blue hue.
Copper sulfate II
The “type 2” is generally referred to when mentioning this type of sulfate. The description we have given about it is the same as copper sulfate II.
Therefore, its properties also remain the same as the description of what copper sulfate is and what it is used for.
Pentahydrated
It refers to a slightly different chemical composition and occurs naturally in the mineral chalcanthite. To obtain pentahydrated copper sulfate in the lab, a chemical reaction must be induced between anhydrous copper sulfate and water.
If you are going to buy it, you can acquire it under other names such as pentahydrated copper sulfate, as it is the same.
Anhydrous
In general, elements are classified as anhydrous when they do not contain water, so in this case, anhydrous copper sulfate is without H2O. Various methods can be used to obtain it, such as evaporating the water it contains or through reactions with solvents or using sodium, as it is absorbent and useful in the dehydration processes of other minerals.
Copper, when combined with hygroscopic substances that absorb moisture, also leads to its anhydrous formula.
Uses of copper sulfate as a fungicide
To eliminate fungi and parasites, it is very useful due to its fungicidal properties. It is used for both pool water treatment and the cultivation of foods such as tomatoes, pumpkins, yacon, and other invaluable foods such as sea buckthorn.
The most valued effects are its ability to eliminate parasites and microorganisms, keeping at bay the most harmful fungi that can destroy part or even an entire crop.
It is well known in agriculture as a key ingredient in the fungicide preparation called Bordeaux mixture. This is used in organic farming and contains, in addition to copper sulfate, calcium hydroxide. Copper can also be used in organic crops with another formula called copper oxychloride. The Bordeaux mixture is allowed up to 6 kg per hectare each year.
For Pools
An essential element to keep the pool water in optimal condition, free of algae, and preventing it from turning green after being unused all winter. Copper sulfate for pools is an algaecide, eliminates algae, and has a dose of 10 grams per m3 of water, meaning for each liter of water, you should add 10 g of copper in the form of sulfate.
To make the calculation easier, here are the following details:
- A 100 m3 pool requires 1 kg of copper sulfate.
- A 150 m3 pool requires 1.5 kg.
- A 1000 m3 pool requires 10 kg.
If you’re looking to buy an algaecide, the easiest option is to purchase it pentahydrated, which works perfectly for treating chlorinated water.
Uses in Medicine
Applied as an agent to eliminate infections and to heal ulcers as it has antiseptic properties. It is also astringent, which speeds up the healing and generation of organic tissues.
Furthermore, in low concentrations, it is very useful as a treatment for exudative dermatitis and also for crusty dermatitis. Dermatologists and skin care specialists know it well and recommend its use for these conditions and for dermatomycosis, known as athlete’s foot. Therefore, we can say that copper sulfate in medicine serves to:
- Treat skin infections.
- As a topical antiseptic.
- As a skin astringent.
- Effective in curing impetigo.
- Treatment for crusty or pustular dermatitis.
- Exudative dermatitis.
- Effective in cases of ringworm.
Most of the uses of copper sulfate are to eliminate infections or prevent them, speeding up the regeneration of wounds and skin issues such as impetigo, an infection caused by bacteria. This is caused by streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria.
Copper Sulfate Dosage in Medicine
The preparation of the copper formulation includes the mineral and water. This mixture should be used topically, applied to the skin or for dermatological uses. It should not be ingested as it is toxic.
- The concentration for treating skin conditions ranges between 0.05% and 1%, with the amount indicated depending on the severity of the skin damage.
- In cases of cold sores, it is normal to apply a 1% dose in the dilution.
How to Use It Topically
It is very easy to use and works very well, drying the tissues and promoting healing. Keep in mind that copper sulfate has medicinal uses when applied as follows:
- Take a clean, unopened gauze.
- Saturate it with the liquid provided by the pharmacy in the form of a formulated preparation.
- Gently apply it to the affected skin area. You can place it on top to avoid pain instead of rubbing it.
- Leave it for 5 minutes.
For it to be effective, repeat these steps 2 to 3 times a day. The duration time is approximate, so follow your doctor’s instructions as it may vary. If you suffer from hepatolenticular degeneration, you should avoid using it.
Formula and Properties
- Formula: CuSO4
- Molar Mass: 159.609 g/mol.
- CAS Number: 7758-98-7
- Density: 3603 kg/m3; 3.603 g/cm3
- Boiling Point: 923 K (650 °C)
- Melting Point: 383 K (110 °C)
- Presentation as anhydrous in white or gray powder.
- Presentation as pentahydrated in blue crystals and formula CuSO4·5H2O.
Relationship with Sulfuric Acid
Although at first it may seem like they are very different elements and have no relation, this is actually not the case. To use it at home for the pool, in the cottage, or for garden care, it is usually bought already developed, avoiding the entire process that is very toxic.
To prepare it, certain chemical reactions are required, and in these, the sulfuric acid formula plays a role. It interacts with copper oxide II and copper carbonate.
Large-scale production is done by precipitating pentahydrated sulfate, saturating it with sulfuric acid. The copper source commonly comes from oxidized minerals.
Toxicity
After purchasing it, you must be careful when handling it, use gloves to protect your hands as it is highly toxic.
In tomato cultivation and other vegetables, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions because, depending on the concentration and the amount of other elements in its composition, the copper sulfate dose can vary. Therefore, it is important to not exceed the recommended doses to prevent phytotoxicity.
If you add it to a crop, you must respect the safety margins so that it is absorbed and no residues remain in the plant parts before human consumption.
Where to Buy Copper Sulfate?
- Drugstores.
- Parapharmacies.
- Pharmacies.
- Specialized stores with skin and health care products.
- Veterinarians.
- Shopping centers and stores with cultivation products.
All these stores have an online presence, meaning you can place your order either by visiting the store or shopping online. The method to acquire it is basically irrelevant, but you should always check the concentration and purity, as well as ensure it is properly labeled and comes with usage instructions.
