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      TITLE: Preliminary investigation of selenium in water, bottom sediment, 
      and biota, Great Salt Lake, Utah
      Mr. Bruce Waddell 1, †, Dr. David L. Naftz 2, Dr. Briant A. Kimball 2 and 
      Mr. John R. Garbarino 3

      1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Salt Lake City UT 84119; 2 U.S. 
      Geological Survey Salt Lake City UT 84119; 3 U.S. Geological Survey Denver 
      CO 80225;
      ABSTRACT:
      Concern for avian resources and the sustainability of the brine shrimp 
      industry has increased public interest and management concern on the south 
      arm of Great Salt Lake (GSL). In response to these concerns, the U.S. 
      Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have 
      conducted reconnaissance investigations of selenium (Se) and associated 
      trace-element distributions in the water, bottom sediment, and biota from 
      GSL. A sediment core containing a 250-year record of sediment deposition 
      was collected by the USGS during 1998. Analysis of this core indicated 
      that prior to the early 1900s, sediments deposited in GSL did not appear 
      to be influenced by anthropogenic processes. Deposition of contaminated 
      sediments began in the early to mid-1900s and sediments deposited in the 
      later part of the 1900s contained increased amounts of contaminants. 
      Water-column samples were collected by the USGS from 13 sites in 2001 and 
      analyzed for a variety of dissolved (pass a 0.45 micron filter) trace 
      elements. Se concentrations ranged from less than 20 to 68 micrograms per 
      liter. Utah does not currently (2002) have a numeric water-quality 
      standard for Se concentration in GSL; however, concern over the potential 
      for bioaccumulation of Se to toxic concentrations in the food chain led 
      the USFWS to sample and analyze biota utilizing the lake. The USFWS 
      evaluated trace elements in biota (brine shrimp and eared grebes) and 
      bottom sediment during 1994-2000. Sediments at selected sample sites 
      exceeded the probable effects level (PEL) for marine sediment for As, Cu, 
      Pb, and Se. The potential effects of these trace elements on birds using 
      GSL for resting and feeding during migration was investigated by analysis 
      of primary food sources (brine shrimp) in combination with analysis of 
      eared grebe livers collected during fall and spring migration. Se 
      concentrations in brine shrimp composites ranged as high as 4.5 micrograms 
      per gram, dry weight. Limited sampling indicates that Se concentrations 
      doubled in eared grebe livers between late September and early December, 
      with geometric mean concentrations increasing from 6.2 to 10.8 micrograms 
      per gram dry weight with sample sizes of 12 and 4, respectively. 
      Keywords: metals, sediment, water, biota
      Original Category: 3N - Selenium: Recent Investigations of Toxicity & 
      Ecological Risks
      Alternate Category: 1N - Fate & Effects of Metals: Aquatic Biology
      Alternate Category: 1T - Bioaccumulation & Foodchain Contamination in 
      Terrestrial Systems




            CONTACT:
            Name: Mr. Bruce Waddell 
            Address 1: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
            Address 2: Environmental Contaminants
            Address 3: 2369 Orton Circle
            City: Salt Lake City
            State: UT
            Zip: 84119
            Fax: 801-975-3331
            Email: bruce_waddell@fws.gov
            Phone: 801-975-3337 ext. 125
             OTHER INFORMATION:
            Paper Type: Platform
            Invited: yes
            Invited by: John Harb
            Compete for award: no