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Title: Assessment of selenium food chain transfer and critical exposure factors for avian wildlife species: Need for site-specific data

Conference ·
OSTI ID:320959
 [1]; ; ; ; ;  [2];  [3]
  1. Kennecott Utah Copper, Magna, UT (United States)
  2. Parametrix, Inc., Kirkland, WA (United States)
  3. Ecological Planning and Toxicology, Inc., Corvallis, OR (United States)

Observations of selenium poisoning in Belews Lake, NC in the mid-1970s and Kesterson Reservoir, CA in the mid-1980s precipitated a large number of selenium studies. Numerous authors have evaluated the potential for selenium to cause ecologically significant effects via food chain transfer in aquatic ecosystems, especially wetlands. Additionally, bioaccumulation models have been proposed for estimating selenium concentrations in food chains and water that should not be exceeded in order to avoid reproductive effects in avian and aquatic species. The current national chronic ambient water quality criterion (WQC) for protection of aquatic life is 5 {micro}g/L. Scientists with the US Fish and Wildlife Service have recommended setting the ambient water quality criterion at 2 {micro}g/L for both aquatic and wildlife protection.

OSTI ID:
320959
Report Number(s):
CONF-9704249-; TRN: IM9910%%149
Resource Relation:
Conference: 7. symposium on toxicology and risk assessment: ultraviolet radiation and the environment, St. Louis, MO (United States), 7-9 Apr 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1998; Related Information: Is Part Of Environmental toxicology and risk assessment: Seventh volume; Little, E.E.; DeLonay, A.J. [eds.] [Geological Survey, Columbia, MO (United States)]; Greenberg, B.M. [ed.] [Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario (Canada). Dept. of Biology]; PB: 427 p.; ASTM special technical publication, Volume 1333
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English