The distribution, speciation and geochemical cycling of selenium in a sedimentary environment, Kesterson Reservoir, California, U.S.A.

Hydrological and geochemical investigations of selenium behavior at Kesterson Reservoir

“…Selenium transport and transformations in such environments has received considerable attention over the past ten years since the implication of Se toxicity in wildlife deaths and deformities at Kesterson Reservoir, California (Presser and Barnes, 1985;Ohlendorf, 1989;Weres et al, 1989a;Gilliom, 1989;Long et al, 1990;White et al, 1991;Tokunaga et al, 1994a). Although transport of Se across surface water-sediment boundaries is recognized, quantitative comparisons of measurements with models are needed to test the relative importance of various mechanisms.…”

“…Portions of the Se cycle in wetlands, lakes, rivers, Ocean bottoms, and agricultural drainage water evaporation ponds occur across interfaces between surface waters and sediments (Cutter and Bruland, 1984;Weres et al, 1989a). Selenium transport and transformations in such environments has received considerable attention over the past ten years since the implication of Se toxicity in wildlife deaths and deformities at Kesterson Reservoir, California (Presser and Barnes, 1985;Ohlendorf, 1989;Weres et al, 1989a;Gilliom, 1989;Long et al, 1990;White et al, 1991;Tokunaga et al, 1994a).…”

Purification and Characterization of the Selenate Reductase from Thauera selenatis

“…High concentrations of selenium oxyanions can have detrimental effects on wildlife such as bird species in the Kesterson Reservoir (5,6). Unlike insoluble elemental selenium, selenate is difficult to remove from contaminated water due to its high solubility.…”

Land disposal of San Luis drain sediments, Panoche Water District, South Dos Palos, California

“…No comparable types or amounts of sediment or vegetation were observed near the upstream side of any check structure. Sediment digests, extracts and plant digests were analyzed for total dissolved Se using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS; Perkin Elmer Model 3030) (Weres et al, 1989b). In the case of plant digests, prior to analysis, 5 mL of each sample was refluxed with 2.5 mL HCl and H 2 O 2 was added to break up large organic molecules, which often interfere in HG-AAS analysis.…”

“…The method was tested using NIST standards (NIST 2709, San Joaquin Soil; NIST 1646, Estuarine Sediment; NIST 1646a, Estuarine Sediment), with good recovery over a wide range of concentrations (Table 15). Sediment digests and extracts were analyzed for total dissolved Se using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS; Perkin Elmer Model 3030) (Weres et al 1989b). …”