Engberg, R A; Sylvester, M A 



Concentrations, Distribution, and Sources of Selenium from Irrigated Lands 
in Western United States, Nat. Irrig. Water Quality Program, Dept. of 
Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240, Journal of Irrigation and Drainage 
Engineering (ASCE) Vol. 119, No. 3, p 522-536, May/June 1993. 5 tab, 21 
ref., Journal article



Concentrations, distribution, and sources of selenium from irrigated lands 
were studied between 1986 and 1990 at 20 reconnaissance project areas in 17 
western states under the Department of Interior's National Irrigation Water 
Quality Program. Samples of water, bottom sediment, whole-body fish, and 
bird livers for analysis of selenium concentrations were collected before, 
during, and after the irrigation season from streams, canals, lakes, and 
groundwater in each project area. Selenium concentrations in water ranged from 
less than the detection limit of 1 ug/L in 42% of the 586 samples collected to 
4,800 ug/L from a well in the Pine River area, in southern Colorado. 
Selenium concentrations in 223 samples of bottom sediment ranged from less 
than the detection limit of 0.1 to 85 ug/g in a sample from the Middle Green 
River Basin, in Utah. Selenium concentrations in whole-body fish (all species) 
ranged from 0.1 to 50 ug/g dry weight, with the maximum concentrations 
observed in a carp from the Gunnison River Basin, in western Colorado. 
Cretaceous-age marine shales probably are the original sources for selenium in 
16 of the 20 areas studied. In several areas, evaporative concentration of 
applied irrigation water and drainage of this water to wetlands, canals, 
streams, and lakes appears to be responsible for elevated concentrations of 
selenium. (Author's abstract)



*Bioaccumulation; *Irrigation effects; *Nonpoint pollution sources; *Path of 
pollutants; *Selenium; *Water pollution sources; Agricultural runoff; 
Canals; Drainage effects; Lakes; Sediment analysis; Sediment contamination; 
Streams; Tissue analysis; Water analysis; Wetlands|