Concentrations, Distribution, and Sources of Selenium from Irrigated Lands in Western United States

Engberg, R.A.; Sylvester, Marc A.

doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-9437(1993)119:3(522)

Cited by 23 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…O ver the last two to three decades, the presence of high concentrations of Se in surface and groundwaters has emerged as an issue of serious concern in the western United States (Engberg and Sylvester, 1993), northern Europe (Alfthan et al, 1994; Bye and Lund, 1982), and Asia (Afzal et al, 2000; Mizutani et al, 2001; Zhang et al, 2008). Problem sites in the western United States include California (Tracy et al, 1990; Nolan and Clark, 1997) and western Colorado in the lower Gunnison River Basin (Butler and Leib, 2002), with high concentrations found particularly in intensively irrigated alluvial valleys with Se‐bearing geologic formations (Nolan and Clark, 1997), where the processes of Se dissolution, transport, and bioaccumulation can be accelerated.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Selenium Contamination in the Irrigated Stream–Aquifer System of the Arkansas River, Colorado

Gates

Cody

Donnelly³

et al. 2009

J of Env Quality

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Prudent interventions for reducing selenium (Se) in groundwater and streams within an irrigated river valley must be guided by a sound understanding of current field conditions. An emerging picture of the nature of Se contamination within the Lower Arkansas River Valley in Colorado is provided by data from a large number of groundwater and surface water sampling locations within two study regions along the river. Measurements show that dissolved Se concentrations in the river are about double the current Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) chronic standard of 4.6 microg L(-1) for aquatic habitat in the upstream region and exceed the standard by a factor of 2 to 4 in the downstream region. Groundwater concentrations average about 57.7 microg L(-1) upstream and 33.0 microg L(-1) downstream, indicating a large subsurface source for irrigation-induced dissolution and mobilization of Se loads to the river and its tributaries. Inverse correlation was found between Se concentration and the distance to the closest identified shale in the direction upstream along the principal groundwater flow gradient. The data also exhibited, among other relationships, a moderate to strong correlation between dissolved Se and total dissolved solids in groundwater and surface water, a strong correlation with uranium in groundwater, and power relationships with nitrate in groundwater. The relationship to nitrate, derived primarily from N fertilizers, reveals the degree to which dissolved Se depends on oxidation and inhibited reduction due to denitrification and suggests that there are prospects for reducing dissolved Se through nitrate control. Current and future results from these ongoing studies will help provide a foundation for modeling and for the discovery of best management practices (BMPs) in irrigated agriculture that can diminish Se contamination.

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confidence: 99%

Assessing Selenium Contamination in the Irrigated Stream–Aquifer System of the Arkansas River, Colorado

Gates

Cody

Donnelly³

et al. 2009

J of Env Quality

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“…Detailed investigations were made in 9 of the 26 areas after reconnaissance investigations confirmed that irrigation drainage had caused significant harmful effects. Summaries of these investigations and identification of the principal factors involved in irrigation-related selenium contamination of water and biota are contained in reports by Engberg and Sylvester (1993), Presser and others (1994), and Seiler (1995).…”

Section: Investigations In Us Department Of the Interior Irrigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methods to identify areas susceptible to irrigation-induced selenium contamination in the western United States

Seiler¹

1997

Fact Sheet

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“…has constructed or manages more than 600 irrigation projects and National Wildlife Refuges in 17 western states. To facilitate evaluating of all 600 areas, many very small areas were eliminated from consideration and other areas were combined (Engberg and Sylvester, 1993). Desk evaluations of available water quality, biological, and geological data of these 192 combined areas identified 31 locations in 14 states with contamination problems that warranted investigation.…”

Section: Selection Of Study Areas and Sampling Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

SYNTHESIS OF DATA FROM STUDIES BY THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER‐QUALITY PROGRAM¹

Seiler

1996

J American Water Resour Assoc

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From 1986 to 1993, the National Irrigation Water‐Quality Program (NIWQP) of the U.S. Department of the Interior studied whether contamination was induced by irrigation drainage in 26 areas of the Western United States. In 1992, a study to evaluate and synthesize data collected during these 26 investigations began. Selenium, boron, and molybdenum are the trace elements and DDT the pesticide most commonly found in surface water at concentrations exceeding chronic criteria for the protection of aquatic life. In six of the areas, the median selenium concentration exceeded the criterion. Aquatic‐life criteria have not been developed for uranium, but the median uranium concentration exceeded the proposed Maximum Contaminant Level for drinking water in seven areas. A principal components analysis indicates that severity of selenium contamination is not related to the severity of contamination by boron, molybdenum, and arsenic. Arsenic, boron, molybdenum, and selenium concentrations are nearly the same in both filtered and unfiltered samples, which indicates that contaminant concentrations in filtered samples can be directly compared with biological‐effects data developed using unfiltered samples. At a given site, selenium concentrations in surface water can change by an order of magnitude during the course of a year and from one year to another.

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Concentrations, Distribution, and Sources of Selenium from Irrigated Lands in Western United States

Cited by 23 publications

References 6 publications

Assessing Selenium Contamination in the Irrigated Stream–Aquifer System of the Arkansas River, Colorado

Assessing Selenium Contamination in the Irrigated Stream–Aquifer System of the Arkansas River, Colorado

Methods to identify areas susceptible to irrigation-induced selenium contamination in the western United States

SYNTHESIS OF DATA FROM STUDIES BY THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER‐QUALITY PROGRAM¹

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Concentrations, Distribution, and Sources of Selenium from Irrigated Lands in Western United States

Cited by 23 publications

References 6 publications

Assessing Selenium Contamination in the Irrigated Stream–Aquifer System of the Arkansas River, Colorado

Assessing Selenium Contamination in the Irrigated Stream–Aquifer System of the Arkansas River, Colorado

Methods to identify areas susceptible to irrigation-induced selenium contamination in the western United States

SYNTHESIS OF DATA FROM STUDIES BY THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER‐QUALITY PROGRAM1

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SYNTHESIS OF DATA FROM STUDIES BY THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER‐QUALITY PROGRAM¹