The Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) has been adopted by the US EPA for setting regulatory criteria for copper in freshwater.  Further scientific investigation is necessary towards a marine BLM for copper.  A project funded by the copper development association (CDA) will try to address the quality as well as quantity effect of organic matter of diverse source in Marine copper BLM.  The experimental approach will attempt to utilize fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize marine organic matter.