Aquatic chemistry of selenium: evidence of biomethylation

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00165a009· OSTI ID:5117120

Cooke, T D; Bruland, K W

The chemical species of dissolved selenium were examined in surface waters from three sites in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys of California. Six dissolved selenium species were identified: the inorganic species selenate and selenite; nonvolatile organic selenides, including seleno amino acids and a dimethylselenonium ion; and the volatile methylated forms dimethyl selenide and dimethyl diselenide. The occurrences of methylated selenium species in the aquatic environment has important implications regarding the biogeochemical behavior of selenium in natural aqueous systems. Laboratory studies indicate that the nonvolatile dimethylselenonium ion can be transformed into volatile dimethyl selenide at neutral pH, providing a pathway for the in situ production of dimethyl selenide in natural waters. Geochemical flux calculations indicate that outgassing of dimethyl selenide may be an important removal mechanism for dissolved selenium from aqueous systems. 22 references, 7 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Santa Cruz (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5117120
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 21:12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SELENIUM
WATER CHEMISTRY
CALIFORNIA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GEOCHEMISTRY
SURFACE WATERS
WATER POLLUTION
CHEMISTRY
DATA
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IX
INFORMATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
POLLUTION
SEMIMETALS
USA
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)