Metal sulfides in oxygenated aquatic systems: implications for the biotic ligand model

The Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) attempts to predict metal toxicity to aquatic organisms on the basis of metal speciation and effects at the cell surface. Current versions of the BLM for silver and copper consider metal binding by inorganic ligands, dissolved organic matter (DOM) and also competition at the cell surface from calcium and protons (pH). Recent studies reported in the geochemical and ecotoxicological literature have indicated the …