Ecotoxicity models for selenium have historically used total selenium concentrations to determine the risk to the ecosystem. However, more and more regulatory agencies are gaining an understanding of how the molecular form of selenium can impact the environment. Different molecular forms of selenium (species) will bioaccumulate (increase in tissue concentration) at different rates in lower trophic organisms, affecting the food chain at the basest level. Certain organic selenium species, such as selenomethionine, can bioaccumulate at a rate much faster than inorganic selenium species, such as selenite and selenate. To support the scientific demands of ecotoxicity models and investigations, Brooks Applied Labs has developed a new method for supporting selenium speciation analyses with a detection limit of 0.005 µg/L, which reflects applied dilutions for water samples.
 

Our Technical Sales Manager, Jamie Fox, presented at the Ninth International Conference on Remediation and Management of Contaminated Sediments, presented by Battelle. The title of Jamie's talk was "Overview of Sequential Extraction Methods to Assess Bioavailability and Mobility of Metals in Sediments." A copy of the presentation can be found here. The conference took place from January 9-12, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was a forum for sharing research results, practical experiences, and opportunities associated with remediating, restoring and managing the environmental and economic vitality of waterways. Attendance was more than 1,000 scientists, engineers, regulators, and other environmental professionals representing universities, government site management and regulatory agencies, and R&D and manufacturing firms from 30 countries.

Brooks Applied Labs' Technical Services Specialist, Elizabeth Madonick, will be exploring Vancouver, BC for AME's Mineral Exploration Roundup on January 24-25. The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia hosts this annual event supporting 800 mineral exploration and mining companies and 2,400 international supporting service companies. With over 5,000 participants expected to attend, this year's conference will bring together geoscientists, prospectors, investors, government representatives, suppliers, and First Nation partners to share ideas that will help shape the future of mineral exploration and development.
 

Jamie Fox, BAL Technical Sale Manager, will be attending the Energy, Utility AND Environment Conference ( EUEC) February 7-10 at the San Diego Convention Center. EUEC is the largest, longest-running, professional networking and educational event in the US with a focus on the electric utility industry. If you are attending, don't miss Jamie's presentation on Friday, February 10, on Wastewater Selenium Chemistry in Bioreactor Treatment Systems.
 

Contact us if you will be attending either of these meeting and you would like to meet with Elizabeth or Jamie while there!

On December 2 ^nd, BAL's Speciation Group Leader, Jacki Aitken, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Silas Porter Aitken was born at 10:30 am, weighing in at just over 9 pounds! Reports are he is a calm and happy baby who already knows how to pose for a photo. Congratulations to Jacki and her husband, Keven, on the new addition to their family from all of us at Brooks Applied Labs!