Aquatic chemistry of selenium: evidence of biomethylation

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 21:12; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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