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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175187
Title: SELENIUM SPECIATION, SOLUBILITY, AND MOBILITY IN AGRICULTURAL EVAPORATION PONDS IN CALIFORNIA.

Author
item RYU, J - DEPT LAND,AIR & WATER
item Gao, Suduan
item TANJI, K - DEPT LAND,AIR & WATER
item ALEMDAR, C - DEPT LAND,AIR & WATER
item DAHLGREN, R - DEPT LAND,AIR & WATER

Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2004
Publication Date: 12/13/2004
Citation: Ryu, J., Gao, S., Tanji, K.K., Alemdar, C., Dahlgren, R.A. 2004. Selenium speciation, solubility, and mobility in agricultural evaporation ponds in california.. American Geophysical Union.

Interpretive Summary: This is an Abstract Only.

Technical Abstract: Constructed evaporation ponds are an important and economic disposal option for subsurface drainage water to sustain irrigated agriculture in the southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley of California. The trace element of most concern in disposing of agricultural drainage water is selenium due to its potential toxicity in the aquatic food chain of evaporation ponds. We investigated selenium biogeochemistry at the Tulare Lake Drainage District's South Evaporation Basin consisting of ten ponds covering a surface area of 7.26 km$^{2}$. The ten ponds represented a wide range of water salinity due to its evapoconcentration sequence. Aqueous selenium speciation was determined for both inorganic species (Se(VI) and Se(IV)) and organic species (org-Se) at representative sites in the ponds. Total selenium concentration was determined in sediments at different depths. The redox environment affecting selenium speciation in the evaporation ponds was evaluated. To understand biological activity and its potential effect on selenium accumulation and speciation in the evaporation ponds, we determined organic carbon, nutrients (N and P), chlorophyll-a, and water temperature. The results from this study have important implications for understanding selenium behavior in natural and managed environments such as evaporation basins, playas and wetlands.