References
131
mation gap. A simple, straightforward procedure is provided for using
information on the selenium status of aquatic ecosystems and resultant
threats/impacts to biota as the basis for deriving criteria. The method is
not limited to the United States and its EPA context. It can be applied for
water quality assessment and regulation throughout North America and
abroad. An important part of the procedure is the delineation of a Hydrological Unit (HU) as the physical area to be examined in the review process. The HU approach ensures that site-specific criteria will protect biota
in all habitat types and environmental conditions. Once appropriate criteria are derived and implemented, it may be necessary to reduce selenium inputs to the HU in order to achieve the desired water quality.
However, reducing selenium loading is not a simple task and may involve a combination of point-source reduction and changes in land use
activities. A procedure that is becoming widely used in the United States
to control pollutants on a watershed basis, especially when non-point
sources are involved, is known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
When combined with the HU approach, TMDLs may become an effective
tool for controlling selenium levels in order to meet water quality goals.
The next chapter presents a method for setting environmentally safe TMDL
limits for selenium.
References
Arizona (State of Arizona). 1992. Arizona Administrative Code. Title 18. Environmental Quality. Chapter 11. Water quality boundaries and standards.
Phoenix, AZ. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Supplement
92-4.
Bryson, W. T., W. R. Garrett, M. A. Mallin, K. A. MacPherson, W. E. Partin, and S.
E. Woock. 1984. Roxboro Steam Electric Plant 1982 environmental monitoring
studies. Volume 2. Hyco Reservoir bioassay studies. New Hill, NC. Carolina
Power and Light Company. Technical Report.
Canton, S. P., and W. D. Van Derveer. 1997. Selenium toxicity to aquatic life: An
argument for sediment-based water quality criteria. Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry 16:1255-1259.
CEPA (California Environmental Protection Agency). 1992. Derivation of sitespecific water quality for selenium in San Francisco Bay. Oakland, CA. CEPA.
Technical Report.
Coyle, J. J., D. R. Buckler, C.G. Ingersoll, J. F. Fairchild, and T. W. May. 1993. Effect
of dietary selenium on the reproductive success of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus).
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry12:551-565.
CSWRCB (California State Water Resources Control Board). 1987. Regulation of
agricultural drainage to the San Joaquin River. Sacramento, CA. CSWRCB.
Technical Report WQ-85-01.
Cumbie, P. M., and S. L. Van Horn. 1978. Selenium accumulation associated with
fish mortality and reproductive failure. Proceedings ofthe Annual Conference ofthe
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 32:612-624.
131
mation gap. A simple, straightforward procedure is provided for using
information on the selenium status of aquatic ecosystems and resultant
threats/impacts to biota as the basis for deriving criteria. The method is
not limited to the United States and its EPA context. It can be applied for
water quality assessment and regulation throughout North America and
abroad. An important part of the procedure is the delineation of a Hydrological Unit (HU) as the physical area to be examined in the review process. The HU approach ensures that site-specific criteria will protect biota
in all habitat types and environmental conditions. Once appropriate criteria are derived and implemented, it may be necessary to reduce selenium inputs to the HU in order to achieve the desired water quality.
However, reducing selenium loading is not a simple task and may involve a combination of point-source reduction and changes in land use
activities. A procedure that is becoming widely used in the United States
to control pollutants on a watershed basis, especially when non-point
sources are involved, is known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
When combined with the HU approach, TMDLs may become an effective
tool for controlling selenium levels in order to meet water quality goals.
The next chapter presents a method for setting environmentally safe TMDL
limits for selenium.
References
Arizona (State of Arizona). 1992. Arizona Administrative Code. Title 18. Environmental Quality. Chapter 11. Water quality boundaries and standards.
Phoenix, AZ. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Supplement
92-4.
Bryson, W. T., W. R. Garrett, M. A. Mallin, K. A. MacPherson, W. E. Partin, and S.
E. Woock. 1984. Roxboro Steam Electric Plant 1982 environmental monitoring
studies. Volume 2. Hyco Reservoir bioassay studies. New Hill, NC. Carolina
Power and Light Company. Technical Report.
Canton, S. P., and W. D. Van Derveer. 1997. Selenium toxicity to aquatic life: An
argument for sediment-based water quality criteria. Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry 16:1255-1259.
CEPA (California Environmental Protection Agency). 1992. Derivation of sitespecific water quality for selenium in San Francisco Bay. Oakland, CA. CEPA.
Technical Report.
Coyle, J. J., D. R. Buckler, C.G. Ingersoll, J. F. Fairchild, and T. W. May. 1993. Effect
of dietary selenium on the reproductive success of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus).
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry12:551-565.
CSWRCB (California State Water Resources Control Board). 1987. Regulation of
agricultural drainage to the San Joaquin River. Sacramento, CA. CSWRCB.
Technical Report WQ-85-01.
Cumbie, P. M., and S. L. Van Horn. 1978. Selenium accumulation associated with
fish mortality and reproductive failure. Proceedings ofthe Annual Conference ofthe
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 32:612-624.