Selenium Se and Phosphate Mining in Southeast Idaho

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Selenium (Se) and Phosphate Mining in Southeast Idaho Smoky Canyon Mine. Taken from, http:

Selenium (Se) and Phosphate Mining in Southeast Idaho Smoky Canyon Mine. Taken from, http: //switchboard. nrdc. org/blogs/awetzler/ Windows. Live. Writer/Asgoes. Idahosogoesthe. Nation_11818/Panel. F_after_2. jpg

Phosphorous (P) from phosphate ores �Found in Fertilizers �Used in flares and match tips

Phosphorous (P) from phosphate ores �Found in Fertilizers �Used in flares and match tips �Used in Pesticides and herbicides for agriculture �Also found in: toothpaste, soda pop, detergents, and roundup.

Match tips containing phosphoroushttp: //img. eh owcdn. com/article-pagemain/ehow/images/a 06/cp /et/obtain-red-phosphorus -800 x 800. jpg.

Match tips containing phosphoroushttp: //img. eh owcdn. com/article-pagemain/ehow/images/a 06/cp /et/obtain-red-phosphorus -800 x 800. jpg. Taken by, Roundup containing prosperous. Taken by, http: //makanaka. files. wordpress. com/2011/02/roundup 3. jpg Toothpaste containing phosphorous. Taken by, http: //www. ida. org. in/Information/newimages/tooth-paste. jpg Soda pop containing phosphorus. Taken by, http: //s 4. hubimg. com/u/3845251_f 260. jpg

Phosphate mines east of Soda Springs Mines in Caribou County. Taken by, http: //farm

Phosphate mines east of Soda Springs Mines in Caribou County. Taken by, http: //farm 4. static. flickr. com/3036/3424564834_8515 a 7 b 5 f 2. jpg Eastern Idaho phosphate mines. Taken by, http: //archive. sltrib. com/images/2007/0921/024342_phosphate-mines-pollution. gif

Selenium in the water Selenium in Monsanto's runoff stream. Taken from, http: //4. bp.

Selenium in the water Selenium in Monsanto's runoff stream. Taken from, http: //4. bp. blogspot. com/-Af. WHf. QIzgaw/Tge. PGYR 8 Cj. I/AAAACz. Y/MFw. Wy_m 9 -hw/s 1600/run+off. jpg

Cause: �Orphan (inactive) mines not closed properly �Selenium rich mine tailings dumped near streams

Cause: �Orphan (inactive) mines not closed properly �Selenium rich mine tailings dumped near streams �Top soil non existent in some reclaimed sites

Reclaimed Phosphate mine Abandoned mine in southeast Idaho. Taken by, http: //patagonia. typepad. com/.

Reclaimed Phosphate mine Abandoned mine in southeast Idaho. Taken by, http: //patagonia. typepad. com/. a/6 a 00 d 8341 d 07 fd 53 ef 0147 e 299 eb 68970 b-500 wi

Result 1. Plants absorb the selenium from streams and surface runoff 2. Some cows,

Result 1. Plants absorb the selenium from streams and surface runoff 2. Some cows, sheep, fish, and wildlife diagnosed with chronic selenosis (selenium poisoning) 3. Humans consume fish and wildlife containing high levels of selenium

Cows with selenium poisoning Left: cow died from selenium poisoning. Taken from, http: //www.

Cows with selenium poisoning Left: cow died from selenium poisoning. Taken from, http: //www. cariboucleanwater. org/images/deadcow-8 -20 -09. jpg Right: cow with chronic selenosis. Taken by, http: //patagonia. typepad. com/. a/6 a 00 d 8341 d 07 fd 53 ef 014 e 5 f 3 ecb 70 970 c-500 wi

Risk to humans �Selenium occurs naturally in our bodies, however when concentrated into high

Risk to humans �Selenium occurs naturally in our bodies, however when concentrated into high doses can lead to Chronic Selenosis (selenium poisoning) and even death �Drinking water derived from contaminated streams in the area may be harmful due to high levels of selenium �Consuming Fish, wildlife, and domestic animals that graze in pastures near contaminated streams may also be harmful if Selenium levels are great enough

Pros and Cons of mining phosphate in Southeast Idaho Pros Cons Fertilizers Selenium released

Pros and Cons of mining phosphate in Southeast Idaho Pros Cons Fertilizers Selenium released into local water system Herbicides and Pesticides Harmful to landscape Foods Killing plants and animals - Chronic selenosis (Selenium poisoning) Toothpaste and soap detergents Humans consuming plants and wildlife rich in Selenium may be harmful

Did you know � Many mines have been in violation of the clean water

Did you know � Many mines have been in violation of the clean water act for nearly a decade from high selenium levels. � 5 Phosphate mine companies in Southeast Idaho: J. R. Simplot Company, Monsanto, Rhodia, Nu. West Industries (Agrium), and Astaris (formally FMC) produce more than 5. 4 million metric tons of ore per year � The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is still accepting new mine proposals for the area � 3 of the approximately 13 -17 orphan mines are now superfund sites (Smoky Canyon Mine, Valley Mine, and South Rasmussen Ridge Mine) all located in Caribou County

References � Buck, Jones, Brian, Jeffery. "Interagency/Industry coordination at phosphate mines in Southeastern Idaho.

References � Buck, Jones, Brian, Jeffery. "Interagency/Industry coordination at phosphate mines in Southeastern Idaho. "http: //www. fs. fed. us. N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Oct 2011. <http: //www. fs. fed. us/geology/buck-jones. pdf>. � "Idaho: Phosphate Mining - Poisoning Lands, Waters, Wildlife. "http: //www. greateryellowstone. org. N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Oct 2011. <http: //www. greateryellowstone. org/issues/lands/Feature. php? i d=287 � Blanchard, Tom. "Hard rock and Phosphate Mining in Idaho. "http: //www. wildwhiteclouds. org. March 2002, n. d. Web. 4 Oct 2011. <http: //www. wildwhiteclouds. org/news_mining_Idaho. Mining Rpt. pdf>.