Copper (II) sulfate (CuSO4) is the most common coppersalt, made by the action of sulfuric acid on the base copper oxide. Copper (II) sulfate may appear as a pale green or gray-white powder.
Copper (II) sulfate is a desiccant. As such, it most commonly occurs as the blue hydratemineralchalcanthite, CuSO4 · 5H2O, which dehydrates at 110°C. It decomposes at 600°C forming CuO and Cu2O.
It can be used to plate metals with copper, as a fungicide or herbicide, or as a chemical test for water (the anhydrous form will absorb water, turning blue).
The archaic name for Copper (II) sulfate was Cupric sulfate. Some common names are: Blue Stone and Blue Vitriol.
Copper fungicides are noted for their tenacity and for this reason are much to be preferred in areas of high rainfall.
Other methods include drenching periodically with a coppersulphate solution; incorporating coppersulphate in salt and other animal licks; or by what is probably the most general method, incorporating coppersulphate along with other minerals and vitamins in the form of carefully blended supplements in the feeding stuffs.
All likely habitats of the liver fluke snail should be treated with coppersulphate at the rate of 25 kg to the hectare at least twice a year in June and August (northern hemisphere) or December and February (southern hemisphere).
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