Algal-bacterial treatment facility removes selenium from drainage water

Quinn, N; Leighton, T; Lundquist, T; Green, F; Zárate, M; Oswald, W

Algal-bacterial treatment facility removes selenium from drainage water

Authors

Nigel W.T. Quinn
Terrance Leighton
Tryg J. Lundquist
F. Bailey Green
Max A. Zárate
William J. Oswald

Authors Affiliations

N.W.T. Quinn is Geological Scientist and Water Resources Engineer, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; T.J. Lundquist is Assistant Specialist, Applied Algae Research Laboratory, UC Berkeley; T.J. Lundquist is Assistant Specialist, Applied Algae Research Laboratory, UC Berkeley; F.B. Green is Assistant Research Engineer, Applied Algae Research Laboratory, UC Berkeley; M.A. Zdrate is Graduate Student, Applied Algae Research Laboratory, UC Berkeley; W.J. Oswald is Project Principal Investigator and Emeritus Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and T. Leighton is Professor of Microbiology, UC Berkeley.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 54(6):50-56. DOI:10.3733/ca.v054n06p50. November 2000.

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Abstract

Growers and pesticide applicators in California are legally required to file pesticide use reports with details about every application to commercial crops. We used the individual applicator records to document a decline in the use of organophosphate pesticides (OP) on almond and stone fruit orchards during the rainy season in California, a time period in which the trees are dormant. The decline is important because dormant applications are a major source of surface water contamination and the Federal Clean Water Act mandates a reduction in movement of OPs into surface water. However, the decline in use of OPs has been accompanied by an increase in use of pyrethroid pesticides, particularly in stone fruit orchards. Additional implementation of “reduced-risk” integrated pest management practices could further reduce use of dormant applications of OPs and pyrethroids on almonds and stone fruit orchards.

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