Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fate of selenium in a small urban watershed

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A field study was conducted on a small urban watershed (residential and golf course dominated) in southern Nevada to assess the concentration and speciation of selenium (Se) in a series of drain lines and monitoring wells and to quantify the mass discharge of Se from the drain system. Water samples were collected on a monthly basis and analyzed for total Se, selenate (SeO4 =) and selenite (SeO3 =). In addition, where possible, flow was assessed as was, temperature, redox potential, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) along with all major cations and anions. The data were then modeled with PhreeqC to identify selenium speciation. Results revealed a SeO4 = dominated system with SeO4 = concentrations ranging from 13 to 62 ppb. In the monitoring wells, 66 % of the variation in the total Se concentration could be described based on depth to groundwater, temperature and sulfate concentrations (P < 0.001). In particular, higher total Se concentrations were predicted for shallower depth to groundwater, suggesting the solubilization of Se evapo-concentrates near the surface could be reduced by lowering water tables. The highest of all correlations was found between SeO4 = concentrations (↑) and the sodium (↑) and DO (↑) concentrations in the monitoring wells (R 2 = 0.77, P < 0.001). An excellent curvilinear relationship was found between total Se and the electrical conductivity in the water (R 2 = 0.73, P < 0.001). Based on the Se data and time line identified in this study, high concentrations of Se could be expected to drain from this area for many years to come, with salinity acting as a good proxy for Se concentration. In the drain lines, Se concentrations were found to be invariant to flow (P > 0.05). Flow discharge from the main drain system to the Las Vegas Wash was estimated at 559 acre feet during the 1 year study period. This flow was estimated to carry 4,203 Mg of salts 6.71 Mg of nitrate-N and 27.1 kg of total Se.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adhikari, A. R., Acharya, K., Shanahan, S. A., & Zhou, X. (2011). Removal of nutrients and metals by constructed and naturally created wetlands in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada. Environ Monit Assess, 180, 97–113.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, R. G., Pruitt, W. O., Wright, J. L., Howell, T. A., Ventura, F., & Snyder, R. (2006). A recommendation on standardized surface resistance four hourly calculation of reference ETo by the FAO 56 Penman-Monteith method. Agric. Water Manage, 81, 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, T. T., Hunter, W. J., & Gates, T. K. (2012). The influence of nitrate on selenium in irrigated agricultural groundwater systems. J Environ Qual, 41, 783–792.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cong, W., Zhang, A., & Feng, Y. (2011). Transport of selenium and its modeling through one dimensional saturated soil columns. African J of Agric Res, 6(8), 2002–2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dean, D. E., Devitt, D. A., Verchick, L. S., & Morris, R. L. (1996). Turfgrass quality, growth and water-use as a function of salinity and water deficit induced stress. Agronomy J, 88, 844–849.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deverel, S. J., & Milliard, S. P. (1988). Distribution and mobility of selenium and their trace elements in shallow ground water of Western San Joaquin Valley. Environ Sci Technol, 22(6), 697–702.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devitt, D. A., Morris, R. L., & Bowman, D. C. (1992). Evapotranspiration, crop coefficients, and leaching fractions of irrigated desert turfgrass systems. Agronomy Journal, 84, 717–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devitt, D. A., Bowman, D. C., Lockett, M., Morris, R. L., & Wright, L. (2008). Nitrate-N concentrations in the soil solution below reuse irrigated golf course fairways. HortScience, 43(7), 2196–2202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Devitt, D.A., Wright, L., and Young, M.H. 2013. Water and salt status of bare soil and turfgrass systems irrigated with recycled water in an arid environment. Agronomy Journal (In Press).

  • Engberg, R. A., Westcot, D. W., Delamore, M., & Holz, D. D. (1998). Federal and state perspectives on regulation and remediation of irrigation-induced selenium problems. Pages 1-25. In W. T. Frankenberger Jr. & S. Benson (Eds.), Selenium in the environment. New York NY: Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankenberger, W. T., & Engberg, T. A. (1998). Environmental chemistry of selenium. New York NY: Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gates, T. K., Cody, B. M., Donnelly, J. P., Herting, A. W., Bailey, R. T., & Price, J. M. (2009). Assessing selenium contamination in the irrigated stream-aquifer system of the Arkansas River. Colorado. J. Environ. Qual, 38, 2344–2356.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Korom, S. F. (1992). Natural denitrification in the saturated zone. A review. Water Resour. Res, 28, 1657–1668.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leinaeur, B., & Devitt, D. A. (2013). Irrigation science and technology. In J. C. Stier, B. P. Horgan, & S. A. Bonos (Eds.), Turfgrass: Biology. American Society of Agronomy: Use and Management.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemly, A. D. (1999). Selenium transport and bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems: a proposal for water quality criteria based on hydrological units. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 42, 152–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemly, A. D. (2002). Selenium assessment in aquatic ecosystems: A guide to hazard evaluation and water quality criteria. New York, USA: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lemly, A. D. (2004). Aquatic selenium pollution is a global environmental safety issue. Ecotoxicol. Enviorn. Saf, 59, 44–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masscheleyn, P. H., Delaune, R. D., & Patrick, W. H. (1989). Transformations of selenium as affected by sediment oxidation-reduction potential and pH. Environ Sci Tech, 24, 91–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masscheleyn, P. H., Delaune, R. D., & Patrick, W. H. (1991). Arsenic and selenium chemistry as affected by sediment redox potential and pH. J Environ Qual, 20, 522–527.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maxey, G.B., and Jameson, C.H. 1948. Geology and Water resources of Las Vegas, Pahrump and Indian Springs Valleys, Clark and Nye County, Nevada, State of Nevada: Office of the State Engineer, Water Resources Bulletin No 5, Carson City NV.

  • Mirbagheri, S. A., Tanji, K. K., & Rajaee, T. (2008). Selenium transport and transformation modeling in soil columns and ground water contamination prediction. Hydrological Processes, 22, 2475–2483.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naftz, D. L., See, R. B., & Ramirez, P. (1993). Selenium source identification and biogeochemical processes controlling selenium in surface waters and biota, Kendrick Reclamation Project, Wyoming, U.S.A. Appl. Geophys J Roy Astron Soc, 8, 115–126.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noack, R. E. (1988). Sources of ground water recharging the principle alluvial aquifers in Las Vegas Valley. NV, May: Nevada. Unpublished thesis submitted to the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohlendorf, H.M., and Santolo, G.M. 1994. Kesterson Reservoir: Past, present and future: an ecological risk assessment. In: Frankenberger, W.T., Jr. and Benson, S. (eds.) Selenium in the Environment. P 69–117.

  • Parkhurst, D.L., and Appelo, C.A.J. 1999. User’s guide to PHREEQC (ver. 2)—A computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calcu-lations. USGeol. Surv. Water-Resources Invest. Rept.: 99–4259.

  • Pollard, J., Cizdziel, J., Stave, K., & Reid, M. (2007). Selenium concentrations in water and plant tissues of a newly formed arid wetland in Las Vegas Nevada. Environ. Monit Assess, 135, 447–457.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, M. J. M., Rivera, V. C., & Ballesta, R. J. (2005). Selenium distribution in topsoils and plants of a semi-arid Mediterranean environment. Environ. Geochem. Hlth, 27(5), 513–519.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Séby, F., Potin-Gautier, M., Giffaut, E., Borge, G., & Donard, O. F. X. (2001). A critical review of thermodynamic data for selenium species at 25 °C. Chem Geol, 171(3–4), 173–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seiler, R.L.O., Skorupa, J.P., and Peltz, L.A. 1999. Areas susceptible to irrigation-induced selenium contamination of water and biota in the western United States. U.S. Geological Survey circular 1180. U.S. Dept. Interior.

  • Smith, D. L., & Guitjens, J. C. (1998). Characterization of urban surfacing ground water in Northwest Henderson, Clark county. Nevada. Environ & Engineer. Geos, 4(4), 455–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weres, O., Bowman, H. R., Goldstein, A., Smith, E. C., & Tsao, L. (1990). The effect of nitrate and organic matter upon mobility of selenium in groundwater and in a water treatment process. Water Air Soil Pollut, 49, 251–272.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, W. G. (1999). Oxidation and mobilization of selenium by nitrate in irrigation drainage. J Environ Qual, 28, 1182–1187.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X., Roefer, P., Zikmund, K.S., and LaBounty, J.F. 2004. Selenium concentrations in the Las Vegas Wash and its tributary waters. American Water Works Association – Water Sources Conference.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the Bureau of Reclamation for funding provided through assistance agreement R10AC30018 to the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the cooperation of the golf course superintendent for allowing us easy access to the golf course during the study period. We also wish to thank Michael Steiner and Renee Schofield for their assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    D. A. Devitt & L. E. Wright

  2. Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    S. A. Shanahan

  3. Department of Geosciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    E. Hausrath

Authors
  1. D. A. Devitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. E. Wright
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. A. Shanahan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Hausrath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. A. Devitt.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Devitt, D.A., Wright, L.E., Shanahan, S.A. et al. Fate of selenium in a small urban watershed. Environ Monit Assess 186, 3181–3197 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3609-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3609-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation