Assessment of Selenium Effects in Lotic Ecosystems

Hamilton, Steven J.; Palace, Vince

doi:10.1006/eesa.2001.2111

Cited by 16 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…A few other trace elements had significant site‐specific differences in rainbow or brook trout but were not consistently different in the two species at the same sites. The potential for other elements to antagonize or potentiate the toxicity of Se has been discussed elsewhere [10].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental effects of bioaccumulated selenium in eggs and larvae of two salmonid species

Holm

Palace

Siwik

et al. 2005

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

154

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Elevated concentrations of Se have been detected in cold, flowing water habitats near uranium and coal mines in Canada. Fish from these systems have concentrations of Se in their tissues that exceed toxic effect thresholds that have been established for warm-water fishes. However, the applicability of toxic effect thresholds and guidelines to cold water, lotic habitats is a matter of contention in the literature since most cases of Se toxicosis have been documented in standing, warm-water systems. To examine the possibility of impaired reproduction in wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinusfontinalis) near coal mining activity in the northeastern slopes region of Alberta, Canada, spawn from both species were collected from exposure and reference sites. Gametes were fertilized in the laboratory, reared to the swim-up stage, and examined for deformities. A significant relationship was observed for rainbow trout between the amount of Se in eggs and the incidence of developmental abnormalities, specifically craniofacial defects, skeletal deformities, and edema. These associations approximate exponential functions with probabilities that 15% of the population would be affected occurring between 8.8 and 10.5 microg Se per gram of wet egg weight, based on probit analysis. These relationships are similar to those described for centrarchids inhabiting a seleniferous warm-water lake. No such relationships were established for brook trout.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental effects of bioaccumulated selenium in eggs and larvae of two salmonid species

Holm

Palace

Siwik

et al. 2005

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

154

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“…Differences in Se bioaccumulation have been described between lentic (stream) and lotic (lake) environments (Hamilton and Palace 2001; Brix et al 2005; Orr et al 2006). This could at least partially reflect the observations described above: if other conditions are similar, environments with longer residence times, such as lakes, tend to have greater recycling, a higher ratio of particulate and/or dissolved Se, and higher concentrations of Se entering the food web.…”

Section: Model Componentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A methodology for ecosystem‐scale modeling of selenium

Presser

Luoma

2010

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

102

202

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The main route of exposure for selenium (Se) is dietary, yet regulations lack biologically based protocols for evaluations of risk. We propose here an ecosystem-scale model that conceptualizes and quantifies the variables that determine how Se is processed from water through diet to predators. This approach uses biogeochemical and physiological factors from laboratory and field studies and considers loading, speciation, transformation to particulate material, bioavailability, bioaccumulation in invertebrates, and trophic transfer to predators. Validation of the model is through data sets from 29 historic and recent field case studies of Se-exposed sites. The model links Se concentrations across media (water, particulate, tissue of different food web species). It can be used to forecast toxicity under different management or regulatory proposals or as a methodology for translating a fish-tissue (or other predator tissue) Se concentration guideline to a dissolved Se concentration. The model illustrates some critical aspects of implementing a tissue criterion: 1) the choice of fish species determines the food web through which Se should be modeled, 2) the choice of food web is critical because the particulate material to prey kinetics of bioaccumulation differs widely among invertebrates, 3) the characterization of the type and phase of particulate material is important to quantifying Se exposure to prey through the base of the food web, and 4) the metric describing partitioning between particulate material and dissolved Se concentrations allows determination of a site-specific dissolved Se concentration that would be responsible for that fish body burden in the specific environment. The linked approach illustrates that environmentally safe dissolved Se concentrations will differ among ecosystems depending on the ecological pathways and biogeochemical conditions in that system. Uncertainties and model sensitivities can be directly illustrated by varying exposure scenarios based on site-specific knowledge. The model can also be used to facilitate site-specific regulation and to present generic comparisons to illustrate limitations imposed by ecosystem setting and inhabitants. Used optimally, the model provides a tool for framing a site-specific ecological problem or occurrence of Se exposure, quantify exposure within that ecosystem, and narrow uncertainties about how to protect it by understanding the specifics of the underlying system ecology, biogeochemistry, and hydrology. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010;6:685-710. ß 2010 SETAC

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“…Selenate is less toxic and bioavailable compared to selenite or Se‐met, which could greatly reduce the overall impacts of total Se concentrations in the water column of lotic versus lentic systems. This proposed approach has been criticized by Hamilton [42], however, because it does not consider the relationship of different habitats associated with lotic systems, such as backwaters, side channels, and reservoirs.…”

Section: Selenium In Lotic Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study by Swift has been reviewed by Hamilton [42], who concluded that the Monticello streams best represent all habitat types that would be found in most stream environments, particularly because the population effects in these streams had been good predictors of laboratory‐derived criteria. However, effects on fish populations in these streams were not maintained throughout the entire duration of the experiment, which could mean that temporary holding of fish was stressful.…”

Section: Selenium In Lotic Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A critical review of the biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology of selenium in lotic and lentic environments

Simmons

Wallschläger

2005

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

126

106

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Anthropogenic activities resulting in elevated selenium (Se) levels in aquatic ecosystems can result in teratogenic and reproductive effects in fish and waterfowl. However, relationships between observed effects and exposure concentrations or body burdens are ambiguous. Therefore, it is critical to identify factors that affect Se ecotoxicity before defining adequate protective environmental regulations. One important political debate questions if Se ecotoxicity differs between standing (lentic) and flowing (lotic) waters and, if so, how this should be incorporated into the definition of protective criteria. In the present review, we compile and discuss the scarce literature regarding Se ecotoxicity in lotic systems, and we compare it to the substantial body of evidence for lentic systems. General differences between lentic and lotic systems with respect to ecology, hydrology, and biogeochemistry are identified and related to Se ecotoxicity. The limited knowledge regarding Se speciation in the biomagnification process is reviewed and put in context. Fundamental considerations suggest that Se ecotoxicity in lotic systems should be reduced compared to lentic systems, but we conclude that this statement is not substantiated by the existing data. Additionally, we identify critical gaps of knowledge that must be resolved in future studies before the argument can be decided conclusively.

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Assessment of Selenium Effects in Lotic Ecosystems

Cited by 16 publications

References 43 publications

Developmental effects of bioaccumulated selenium in eggs and larvae of two salmonid species

Developmental effects of bioaccumulated selenium in eggs and larvae of two salmonid species

A methodology for ecosystem‐scale modeling of selenium

A critical review of the biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology of selenium in lotic and lentic environments

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