Remediation scenarios for selenium contamination, Blackfoot watershed, southeast Idaho, USA

Abstract

Extensive phosphate mining in the Blackfoot watershed of Idaho (USA) has substantially increased the selenium (Se) concentration in the river during both snowmelt and baseflow when groundwater discharge dominates. Phosphate mines create a linkage between Se-laden shale that occurs in the Phosphoria Formation and the underlying regional Wells Formation aquifer. Using a reconnaissance-level transport model, mines in the watershed were prioritized for remediation and for comparing the results of simulations of remediation scenarios with a baseline of no remediation, for which Se concentration in the river will exceed the aquatic standard along an extensive length. An accurate simulation of recharge distribution around the watershed and simulated flux to the river is essential. Remediation of mines north of the river will substantially decrease the size of the Se plume, although significant Se will continue to discharge to the river. Similarly, remediation of three mines south of the river would decrease the Se discharge to the river but allow substantial amounts to remain stored in the groundwater north and far south of the river. A lack of calibration data is not a reason to forgo remediation, but rather ongoing data collection can be used to fine-tune plans as they are implemented.