Heavy metals typically accumulate in reduced bottom sediments after being discharged into waterways by industrial and municipal processes. A laboratory experiment was conducted in order to determine if abundance of clay in the bottom sediments of a Cu-contaminated aqueous ecosystem could enhance electrolytic reduction of the heavy metal. Cu(NO3)(2)center dot 2.5H(2)O was added to simulate a moderately contaminated system with 650 mu g Cu/ml kaolinite clay-water slurry. A constant electrical potential of 1.0V/cm was applied across platinum wire electrodes inserted into the continuously stirred system for four days while the system ORP2 was monitored and periodic sub-samples were taken for analysis. The electrical as well as the chemical results indicate that the quantity of Cu(II) being reduced to Cu(I), especially within the aqueous phase, is increased within the first 48 h-of experimentation by the presence of kaolinite clay up to 0.05 mg clay/l slurry. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.