Abstract: Basic copper salts such as cupric hydroxide, basic copper chloride, basic copper sulfate and the like with an alkanolamine result in an unexpectedly beneficial composition useful in a method for treating bodies of water to arrest or eliminate the growth of algae and aquatic weeds; a more stable and less corrosive solution is obtained for storage purposes when the insoluble basic copper salts are reacted with an alkanolamine such as trialkanolamine or mixtures or tri- and dialkanolamines to produce a water soluble copper complex of the organic compounds; moreover, the formed complex of the insoluble basic salts provides a higher copper content in the solution formed by the complex when compared to the acid, water soluble copper salts; full effectiveness of the complex has been observed for extended period of time without decrease of soluble copper content.

Abstract: Herbicidal and algaestatic and algaecidal compositions and use thereof comprising copper salts; both soluble acid salts as copper sulfate, chloride, nitrate, acetate, sulfamate, gluconate, citrate, etc. and basic copper salts such as basic copper sulfate, cupric hydroxide, basic copper carbonate, basic copper chloride and the like for a method for treating bodies of water to arrest or eliminate the growth of algae and aquatic weeds by giving a more efficient algaestat, algaecide and/or herbicide, when the copper salts or insoluble basic copper salts are used as a complex with an alkylene diamine, such as ethylenediamine, propylenediamine and substituted derivatives of these; or poly (aminoalkylene).sub.n --NH.sub.