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Copper sulfate has been used extensively in the California Aqueduct to control phytoplankton and the alga Cladophora. Since 1969 more than 250,000 pounds of copper sulfate has been added to a part of the aqueduct. Although copper sulfate is effective in controlling algae, copper tends to accumulate in the system in which it is applied. Samples of water, biota including plants, clams, and snails, as well as sediment were analyzed for copper. Results of these analyses showed that copper concentrations in the water, with three exceptions, were less than 10 micrograms per litre. Samples of plant tissue showed a 198 percent increase in copper concentration in the treated reach of the aqueduct, and clam tissue showed a 68 percent increase. Snails in the treated reach had 77 percent more copper than in the untreated reach whereas copper concentrations in the sediment doubled. None of the concentrations found are considered to be harmful to the biota.

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