Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to examine the reducti
on potential of dissolved selenate in wetland sediment at Benton Lake,
Montana. Results showed that selenate reduction in wetland sediment w
as a microbially mediated process. This process proceeded rapidly and
removed more than 50% of added selenate from solution to the sediment
during the first day of the experiment. The reduction potential of sel
enate in sediment was positively correlated to Se concentrations in se
diment, but not to sediment organic C content. This process occurred a
t the sediment surface because the depth of diffusion of selenate was
limited, resulting in most Se accumulating in the top 2 cm of the sedi
ment. The results from this study indicate that selenate reduction in
sediment dominates selenate removal from water.