Use of Site-Specific Data for Modeling Selenium Bioaccumulation by Terrestrial Animals.

We developed a bioaccumulation model from an extensive set of monitoring data to predict selenium (Se) concentrations in biota within a terrestrial system (Kesterson Reservoir, CA). The model uses water-extractable Se and total Se concentrations in soil to estimate the expected mean and ranges of Se concentrations in biota at Kesterson for future scenarios. Biological monitoring data collected at Kesterson from 1989 to 1994 were used to parameterize the initial model.

Kesterson Reservoir: 30 Years of Selenium Risk Assessment and Management.

Severe effects of selenium (Se) occurred among birds feeding and nesting at Kesterson Reservoir (San Joaquin Valley, California, USA) in 1983 to 1985. This paper describes the integration of site monitoring, risk assessment, and management actions conducted after the effects of Se were discovered. Selenium contamination of the site occurred over just a few years, but actions to resolve the contamination issues required >20 y.

Fish whole-body selenium: interspecies translation experiment.

The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for selenium in the freshwater drainages to Newport Bay, California, is being developed based on selenium concentration in the tissues of fish and bird eggs. This paper demonstrates the use of fish mesocosms and monitoring results to facilitate the comparisons of selenium contamination across fish species and areas of the watershed with differing fish assemblages. In this watershed, mosquitofish dominate across all the small, upper watershed drainages while sunfish family species dominate in deeper, ponded reaches of the lower watershed.

Contaminants in sediment, food-chain biota, and bird eggs from the Newport Bay watershed, Orange County, California.

Groundwater-related discharges in the San Diego Creek/Newport Bay watershed in Orange County, California have the potential to adversely affect the surface waters within the watershed and would likely not comply with the established total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the watershed. In 2004 and 2005, we studied the concentrations of contaminants of TMDL concern (particularly selenium [Se]) in birds that are at risk of exposure to contaminated food items because they feed and nest in the Newport Bay watershed. Most bioaccumulation is from elevated Se in groundwater downstream of a historic terminal swamp.

Selenium accumulation in coturnix quail fed seleno-L-methionine.

The accumulation of selenium in Coturnix quail, a sensitive species to selenium toxicity, was studied. Quail were fed diets containing 0.7 µg/g (control), 12 µg/g (low-Se), and 22 µg/g (high-Se) as seleno-L-methionine for four weeks.