Publications

Results of aquatic studies in the McLeod and Upper Smoky River systems

Description

Selenium is a naturally occurring element, commonly found in rocks and soil. It is a nutrient usually required in small amounts by humans and other organisms, but it can be toxic at only slightly higher levels. Concerns related to the fate and effects of selenium in aquatic ecosystems near mountain coal mines in west-central Alberta arose in the late-1990s. Mobilisation of selenium from geologic sources into surface water due to mining has occurred at three coal mines in the upper McLeod River and upper Smoky River systems. In 2000, Alberta Environment initiated various aquatic studies to: continue and establish new ambient monitoring of selenium and other metals at reference and exposed sites in streams near the three mountain mines; determine selenium levels in surface water and food web of streams, and to evaluate the data in a conceptual food web; and conduct a pilot study to determine selenium levels at old closed coal mines in the foothills of south-western Alberta. This report includes a compilation and summary of data in the Alberta Environment studies from 1998 to 2003 inclusive.

Updated

August 1, 2005

Tags
selenium water pollution water quality

Title and publication information

Type
Report
Extent

72 pages

Frequency

Once

Publisher / Creator Information

Publisher

Environment (1971-1992, 1999-2011)

Contributor

Casey, Richard

Place of Publication

Edmonton

Resource Dates

Date Created

2005-08-01

Date Added

2015-06-22T17:13:01.657587

Date Modified

2005-08-01

Date Issued

2005-08-01

Audience information

Identifiers

ISBN (pdf)

077853992x

ISBN (print)

0778539911

NEOS catalogue key

3937745

Local Identifier

T/785

Usage / Licence

Contact

Contact Name

Information Centre