x
Preface
has covered all of my hazard assessment and water quality procedures
for selenium. This book brings the information together into a comprehensive guide for characterizing hazards and deriving water quality
criteria. It is intended for all those involved in the evaluation and
resolution of aquatic selenium problems-from field biologists, environmental contaminant specialists, and research scientists to risk assessors, environmental planners, natural resource managers, and water
quality regulators. In addition to the core material on hazard assessment and water quality, there is an opening chapter that describes the
primary causes of selenium pollution and gives a sample of locations
where fish and wildlife populations have been affected, and a closing
chapter which discusses emerging selenium contamination issues that
biologists and aquatic resource managers need to be aware of. Although some of the chapters have a context of the United States and its
Environmental Protection Agency, the guidelines and methods in the
book are not limited to that context. They can be applied just as well in
Australia, China, and Egypt. The underlying processes that must be
addressed for accurate hazard assessment and development of water
quality criteria are consistent around the world. I welcome feedback
from those using the book to aid in gauging its effectiveness and evaluating the need to modify a procedure or develop new techniques.
As society moves forward in the new millennium, there will be a
substantial increase in activities that mobilize selenium in the environment. Protecting aquatic ecosystems from these threats will be more
difficult, yet more necessary, than ever before. Equipped with the proper
assessment techniques, investigators can identify, diagnose, and respond to selenium problems before they become widespread toxic episodes. I hope this book will be a useful tool in those efforts, and will
provide the technical guidance necessary to make environmentally
sound resource management decisions for aquatic habitats.
A. Dennis Lemly
Blacksburg, Virginia
Preface
has covered all of my hazard assessment and water quality procedures
for selenium. This book brings the information together into a comprehensive guide for characterizing hazards and deriving water quality
criteria. It is intended for all those involved in the evaluation and
resolution of aquatic selenium problems-from field biologists, environmental contaminant specialists, and research scientists to risk assessors, environmental planners, natural resource managers, and water
quality regulators. In addition to the core material on hazard assessment and water quality, there is an opening chapter that describes the
primary causes of selenium pollution and gives a sample of locations
where fish and wildlife populations have been affected, and a closing
chapter which discusses emerging selenium contamination issues that
biologists and aquatic resource managers need to be aware of. Although some of the chapters have a context of the United States and its
Environmental Protection Agency, the guidelines and methods in the
book are not limited to that context. They can be applied just as well in
Australia, China, and Egypt. The underlying processes that must be
addressed for accurate hazard assessment and development of water
quality criteria are consistent around the world. I welcome feedback
from those using the book to aid in gauging its effectiveness and evaluating the need to modify a procedure or develop new techniques.
As society moves forward in the new millennium, there will be a
substantial increase in activities that mobilize selenium in the environment. Protecting aquatic ecosystems from these threats will be more
difficult, yet more necessary, than ever before. Equipped with the proper
assessment techniques, investigators can identify, diagnose, and respond to selenium problems before they become widespread toxic episodes. I hope this book will be a useful tool in those efforts, and will
provide the technical guidance necessary to make environmentally
sound resource management decisions for aquatic habitats.
A. Dennis Lemly
Blacksburg, Virginia