Relation of salinity and selenium in shallow groundwater to hydrologic and geochemical processes, Western San Joaquin Valley, California

Journal of Hydrology
By:  and 

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Abstract

Salinity and selenium concentrations in shallow groundwater of the western San Joaquin Valley, California, are related to the geomorphology and hydrology of the alluvial fans. The highest salinity and selenium concentrations in shallow groundwater occur in alluvium deposited by ephemeral streams and at the margins of the major alluvial fans, where there were naturally saline, fine-grained soils. Low-to-moderate salinity and selenium concentrations in shallow groundwater are associated with upper and middle areas of the major alluvial fans deposited by intermittent streams. Areas with the most naturally saline soils have been irrigated in the last 40 years. These are now the areas of highest salinity and selenium concentrations in the shallow groundwater. Present-day (1986) groundwater salinity is spatially correlated with natural soil salinity in these areas. Isotopic data indicate that the highest salinity and selenium concentrations in groundwater present at low altitudes resulted from evaporative concentration when the water table was shallow.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Relation of salinity and selenium in shallow groundwater to hydrologic and geochemical processes, Western San Joaquin Valley, California
Series title Journal of Hydrology
DOI 10.1016/0022-1694(89)90011-5
Volume 109
Issue 1-2
Year Published 1989
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Publisher location Amsterdam, Netherlands
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center
Description 25 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Hydrology
First page 125
Last page 149
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial San Joaquin Valley
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