Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the Salton Sea Area, California, 1986-87. Water-Resources investigation

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7138383

Setmire, J G; Wolfe, J C; Stroud, R K

Water, bottom sediment, and biota were sampled during 1986-87 in the Salton Sea area to determine concentrations of trace elements and pesticides as part of the Department of Interior Irrigation Drainage Program. The sampling sites (12 water, 15 bottom sediment, and 5 biota) were located in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys. The focus of sampling was to determine if contaminants in irrigation drainage from Department of the Interior-sponsored irrigation projects have caused or have the potential to cause substantial harmful effects to humans, fish, or wildlife, or to reduce the suitability of water for beneficial uses. Results indicate that selenium is the major element of concern. Elevated concentrations of selenium in water were restricted to tile-drain effluent. The maximum selenium concentration of 300 micrograms per liter was detected in tile drain 6, and the minimum concentration of 1 microgram per liter was detected in a composite sample of Salton Sea water. The median selenium concentration was 19 micrograms per liter. In contrast to the water, the highest bottom-sediment selenium concentration of 3.3 milligrams per kilogram was in a composite sample from the Salton Sea. Concentrations of boron, chromium, nickel, zinc, and organochlorine pesticide residues were detected.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Sacramento, CA (USA). Water Resources Div.
• OSTI ID: 7138383
• Report Number(s): PB-90-182726/XAB; USGS/WRI--89-4102
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BORON
CHROMIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
LAKES
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
MONITORING
NICKEL
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
RUNOFF
SALTON SEA
SEDIMENTS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SURFACE WATERS
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC