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Kesterson Reservoir: 30 Years of Selenium Risk Assessment and Management.

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Selenium contamination at Kesterson Reservoir caused severe bird effects. Long-term monitoring, risk assessment, and adaptive management successfully reduced selenium risks to wildlife over 20 years.

Keywords:
Adaptive managementBiological monitoringEcological risk assessmentKesterson ReservoirSelenium

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Environmental Management

Background:

  • Kesterson Reservoir (California, USA) experienced severe selenium (Se) contamination impacting avian populations between 1983-1985.
  • Agricultural drainage led to high selenium concentrations in the reservoir, causing bioaccumulation in biota and deposition in sediments.
  • An estimated 9000 kg of selenium entered Kesterson Reservoir between 1981-1986.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the integrated approach of site monitoring, risk assessment, and management actions following the discovery of selenium effects.
  • To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of remediation strategies in mitigating selenium risks to wildlife.
  • To provide insights into resolving environmental contamination issues through adaptive management.

Main Methods:

  • Implementation of intensive, adaptive monitoring programs from 1989 to 2014.
  • Conducting two comprehensive risk assessments in 1993 and 2000.
  • Application of site remediation actions, including habitat modification through soil filling, starting in 1988.

Main Results:

  • Selenium concentrations in the reservoir stabilized over time, with monitoring data from 2013-2014 indicating low risks to wildlife.
  • The integrated approach combining monitoring, risk assessment, and adaptive management proved effective in addressing selenium contamination.
  • Remediation efforts successfully transformed contaminated ponds into terrestrial habitats, reducing direct exposure pathways for birds.

Conclusions:

  • The 20-year effort demonstrated that a combination of responsive, reactive, and adaptive monitoring, modeling, risk assessment, and mitigation actions can effectively resolve significant environmental contamination problems.
  • Long-term monitoring confirmed the reduction of selenium risks to minimal levels, ensuring the ecological recovery of the Kesterson Reservoir site.
  • The Kesterson Reservoir case study offers valuable lessons for managing and remediating contaminated sites impacted by agricultural drainage and heavy metals.