Uranium, Vanadium, and Molybdenum in Saline Waters of California

Analyses of saline water samples from large salt water bodies, agricultural drainage and evaporation ponds, and soil water extracts were used to determine the extent of elevated uranium (U), vanadium (V), and molybdenum (Mo) in agricultural environments of the San Joaquin Valley. Saline water samples and soil extracts were pretreated by chelation and solvent extraction to separate and concentrate, U, V, and Mo for analyses. Mean concentrations of U, V, and Mo were considerably elevated in agricultural drainage and evaporation ponds of the San Joaquin Valley compared to saline waters of Salton Sea and Mono Lake. Relatively high correlation coefficients were observed between U, Mo, and salinity.