Selenium immobilization in a pond sediment at Kesterson Reservoir

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Quality; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1990.00472425001900020017x· OSTI ID:6173394

Long, R H.B. ^[1]; Benson, S M; Tokunaga, T K; Yee, A ^[2]

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1. Golder Associates, Alameda, CA (USA)
2. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, CA (USA)

Kesterson Reservoir, Merced County, CA, a disposal facility for agricultural drain water, became the object of intense scientific investigation following discovery in 1983 that Se-laden agricultural drain water was having serious effects on the reproductive success of waterfowl. A remedial measure involving permanent flooding with low-Se water, aimed at taking advantage of low Se solubility under reducing conditions, was proposed as a means of limiting Se movement into groundwater and biota. A field experiment was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed remedial measure, its impact on the quality of shallow groundwater and for quantifying Se immobilization and transport through a newly flooded pond bottom soil. Extensive soil water and groundwater sampling demonstrated that although initial soluble Se concentrations in the top 1.22 m (4 ft) of soil typically ranged from approximately 1,000 to 3,000 {mu}g L{sup {minus}1}, Se concentrations declined dramatically after flooding and elevated concentrations below 1.22 m were observed at only one of five sampling sites. Analysis of the temporal and spatial changes in the distribution of dissolved Se and Cl{sup {minus}} indicated that 66 to 108% of the initial soluble Se present in the top 1.22 m was immobilized shortly after flooding. These estimates were consistent with the low Se concentrations observed in shallow monitoring wells. The extent to which Se immobilization occurred correlated inversely with average pore water velocity. Data presented suggest that reducing conditions in the newly flooded soils lead to the microbially mediated transformation of selenate to less soluble or mobile forms.

• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6173394
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality; (USA) Vol. 19:2; ISSN JEVQA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ANIMALS
BIODEGRADATION
BIRDS
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FEDERAL REGION IX
FIELD TESTS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC WASTES
PONDS
REPRODUCTION
SEDIMENTS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SOILS
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING
USA
VERTEBRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES