2009 Issue

10 F OROTHERS, IT IS A unique source of recreation and relaxation or an irreplaceable haven for wildlife. For still others it is a resource critical to their economic well-being. While everyone’s experience with and interest in the lake is different, two things are certain: 1) the more we learn about Great Salt Lake, themore we understand how unique and complex a resource it is, and 2) capturing the wide-ranging knowledge, experiences and interests in the lake through an inclusive process is essential to managing its resources. The effort to develop a seleniumwater quality standard for Great Salt Lake is a perfect example of both of these. Great Salt Lake is a uniquely dynamic terminal lake located adjacent to the rapidly growing Wa- satch Front. It is vital to supporting resident and migratory birds, recreation, and the brine shrimp and mineral industries and it is intrinsically linked to our activities in the watershed. It is ironic that, given its proximity to our state’s population center, so little is known or understood about the lake. Ongoing research and most recently, work spearhead- ed by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality (DWQ), has highlighted the important role Great Salt Lake plays and the need to develop strategies for managing its water quality. Recent proposals for new discharges of wastewater to Great Salt Lake led to a recom- mendation that DWQ com- plete additional research to verify that the discharge of wastewaters containing sele- nium is not harmful to theGreat Salt Lake ecosystem. Very little was known about the food web of the lake and even less was known about the effect of selenium on that food web. As a result, DWQ convened the Great Salt Lake Water Quality Steering Committee, consist- ing of key stakeholders, and an expert Science Panel in 2004. Their role was to investigate and recommend a new, site-specific water quality standard for selenium for the openwaters of Great Salt Lake. Developing the Research Program The Science Panel initially defined study pa- rameters and selected CH2M HILL, Inc. and re- searchers fromUtah State University, Weber State University, University of Utah and U.S. Geological Survey to develop and complete an aggressive research program. Foundational to the program Development of a Selenium Water Quality Standard for Great Salt Lake JEFF DENBLEYKER, P. E., CH2M HILL INC. The mere mention of Great Salt Lake elicits a variety of emotions from people. For some, they only think of the lake when winds shift and bring them its distinct aroma, or perhaps they only consider it as their airplane descends to the Salt Lake City International Airport. was the successful integration of local researchers and stakeholders throughout. This integrationwas facilitated through regular and public Steering Committee meetings, Science Panel meetings, publications and project website. First steps included the identification of laboratory analytical methods that could address the lake’s complex chemistry. A considerable effort was also undertaken to develop a concep- tual model, or schematic, of how selenium cycles through the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. This model served as the basis for identifying study questions and gaps in knowledge and for identify- ing the link in the foodweb that ismost sensitive to selenium. Early in the program, the Science Panel determined that the reproductive success of birds feeding and nesting along the open waters of Great Salt Lake was themost sensitive end point in the ecosystem. It was decided that a water quality standard protective of this use would be protec- tive of the lake’s other beneficial uses. The central question the research program had to resolve was stated as: What is the accept- able waterborne concentration of selenium that prevents impairment of the beneficial uses of the open waters of Great Salt Lake? Research Program Research projects were completed from 2006 through 2008 to: • Determine the concentration and effect of selenium in shorebirds through the sampling of adult birds, eggs, diet, water and sediment • Determine the concentration and effect of selenium in California gulls through the sampling of adult birds, eggs, diet, water and sediment • Determine the concentration and effect of selenium in eared grebes and common goldeneyes through the sampling of adult birds when they arrive at Great Salt Lake and before leaving the lake • Conduct a synoptic survey of selenium in periphyton (i.e. algae and microbes on lake bottom) and brine fly larvae from the benthic zone (i.e., lake bottom) • Conduct a synoptic survey of selenium in water, seston (i.e., particulates and algae in water column) and brine shrimp • Measure and model selenium loads to Great continued on page 13