Constructing Shallow Saline Habitat Ponds at the Salton Sea to Mitigate Contaminant Risks

 The Salton Sea, as the largest lake in California, is an important habitat for migratory birds on the Pacific flyway. The habitat is threatened by decreased water levels and increased salinity and selenium levels. This project created an experimental complex to try and create shallow saline habitat ponds as suitable habitat for wildlife.  High selenium can be toxic to wildlife, and high salinity can slow growth rates and reduce survival rates. These ponds tested the viability of using blended water to mitigate these impacts by monitoring contaminants in the water, community composition at the sites, contaminant concentration in eggs, and adverse effects of contaminants on avian populations.