The Phosphoria Formation at the Hot Springs Mine in Southeast Idaho: A source of selenium and other trace elements to surface water, ground water, vegetation, and biota

Abstract

Dispersal of Selenium in the Environment v Conclusions the incidence of teratogenesis increases with increase in concentration. The two values are based on this and other studies. Se was analyzed by fluorescence-based microdigestion. Water samples were unfiltered. The aim of the method is to ascertain the form of Se in different media. Although the data are preliminary, they compare well with data collected by various other methods used by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. TABLE TITLES 1. Summary of detection limits, accuracy, and precision for elements analyzed by the different analytical techniques, as determined by repeated analysis of rock standards. All procedures are discussed in detail by Baedecker (1987). 2. Formulas used to calculate the normative components and total CC>2, based on measured concentrations of major-element oxides (Table See Table The amount of F^O in organic matter was selected to give a carbon concentration of 71.6% and is not intended to imply a concentration of hydrogen or oxygen in the organic component as shown. 3. Major components (in percent) of samples from the Hot Springs Mine, based on element-oxide compositions. Lithology is taken from Gulbrandsen (1979). Identification of major units is based on lithology of all 304 samples collected by Gulbrandsen and approximate thicknesses as compared to those at the Enoch Valley Mine (Piper 2000). 4. (a)Major-elements and oxides (in percent) and trace elements (in parts per million) in the 75-series of samples. Thicknesses (in meters) are cumulative. Blanks indicate no analysis. Numbers in () give detection limits in cases for which concentrations were less than the detection limit. Such values are then listed as mid-values to zero, (b) Major elements and oxides, in per cent, and minor elements, in parts per million, in the 53-series of samples. Thicknesses are cumulative, in meters. Blanks indicate no analysis 5. Major-oxide composition (in percent) and trace-element composition (in parts per million) of terrigenous, detrital fraction. Blanks in column 5 indicate that the concentration of an element was determined by a means other than the use of a minimum curve. Blanks elsewhere indicate that no value was listed, or that it could not be determined. 6. Varimax orthogonal transformation solution, principal component factor extraction method, using StatviewtmII software. Log10 of measured values was used rather than raw data. Values greater than 0.5 are in bold. Table The two are given separately because of the format of Statview1"1!!; it cannot handle blanks in a table. 7. Concentrations of trace elements in marine plankton (in parts per million) and in seawater (in parts per billion) at approximately 2000-m depth in the Pacific Ocean 8. Selenium in source rocks, soil, water, sediment, vegetation, and biota in southeast Idaho. Concern levels and levels at which selenium in solids and water extract constitute a hazardous waste and water quality standards are also given. Sample designations are taken from reports cited, with only minor changes