Larval Deformities Associated with Selenium Accumulation in Northern Pike (<i>Esox lucius</i>) Exposed to Metal Mining Effluent

Muscatello, Jorgelina R.; Bennett, Pamela M.; Himbeault, Kevin T.; Belknap, and Andrew M.; Janz, David M.

doi:10.1021/es060661h

Cited by 126 publications

(153 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…Indeed, northern pike fry produced from eggs collected from females downstream of the Key Lake mill (fertilized with milt from males collected at the same site) had an increased incidence of abnormal skeletal curvature, craniofacial and fin deformities, and edema, as compared to those from a reference site. Muscle, liver, kidney, and bone Se concentrations were significantly greater in the female pike collected from the high and medium exposure sites compared to the reference site (Muscatello et al, 2006).…”

Section: Ecosystem Heath and Diversitymentioning

confidence: 80%

Biogeochemical aspects of uranium mineralization, mining, milling, and remediation

Campbell¹,

Gallegos²,

Landa

2015

Applied Geochemistry

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aspects of uranium mineralization, mining, milling, and remediation" (2014 U is overwhelmingly the most abundant at greater than 99% of the total mass of U. Prior to the 1940s, U was predominantly used as a coloring agent, and U-bearing ores were mined mainly for their radium (Ra) and/or vanadium (V) content; the bulk of the U was discarded with the tailings (Finch et al., 1972). Once nuclear fission was discovered, the economic importance of U increased greatly. The mining and milling of U-bearing ores is the first step in the nuclear fuel cycle, and the contact of residual waste with natural water is a potential source of contamination of U and associated elements to the environment. Uranium is mined by three basic methods: surface (open pit), underground, and solution mining (in situ leaching or in situ recovery), depending on the deposit grade, size, location, geology and economic considerations (Abdelouas, 2006). Solid wastes at U mill tailings (UMT) sites can include both standard tailings (i.e., leached ore rock residues) and solids generated on site by waste treatment processes. The latter can include sludge or ''mud'' from neutralization of acidic mine/mill effluents, containing Fe and a range of coprecipitated constituents, or barium sulfate precipitates that selectively remove Ra (e.g., Carvalho et al., 2007). In this chapter, we review the hydrometallurgical processes by which U is extracted from ore, the biogeochemical processes that can affect the fate and transport of U and associated elements in the environment, and possible remediation strategies for site closure and aquifer restoration. This paper represents the fourth in a series of review papers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on geochemical aspects of UMT management that span more than three decades. The first paper (Landa, 1980) in this series is a primer on the nature of tailings and radionuclide mobilization from them. The second paper (Landa, 1999) includes coverage of research carried out under the U.S. Department of Energy's Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Program (UMTRA). The third paper (Landa, 2004) reflects the increased focus of researchers on biotic effects in UMT environs. This paper expands the focus to U mining, milling, and remedial actions, and includes extensive coverage of the increasingly important alkaline in situ recovery and groundwater restoration.Ó 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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Section: Ecosystem Heath and Diversitymentioning

confidence: 80%

Biogeochemical aspects of uranium mineralization, mining, milling, and remediation

Campbell¹,

Gallegos²,

Landa

2015

Applied Geochemistry

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“…In the present study, we outline Se distribution and variability in an environment downstream of the Key Lake mill in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, that has received treated milling effluent known to contain Se for over 20 years. Although other toxicological investigations have been undertaken in this region [2][3][4][5], there is limited knowledge regarding Se distribution within the David Creek drainage system, particularly within the abiotic compartments. The present study therefore investigated surface water, wholesediment, sediment pore water, and benthic macroinvertebrate Se concentrations across five lakes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Surface-water concentrations of dissolved Se, released as selenate (K. Himbeault, Cameco, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, personal communication), downstream of the mill are relatively low (i.e., <3 mg/L Se in lakes farther downstream from the effluent discharge point [4]); however, Se has accumulated in sediments and biota, resulting in elevated tissue concentrations and adverse effects in sensitive species (e.g., fish) [3,4,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With respect to the Key Lake mine and milling site, research by Muscatello et al [3] found that the incidence of deformity in northern pike fry (Esox lucius) was significantly correlated with the concentration of Se in their corresponding eggs. This relationship indicates that maternal transfer of Se can result in concentration-dependent toxic effects in native coldwater fish.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Selenium distribution in a lake system receiving effluent from a metal mining and milling operation in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada

Wiramanaden

Forster

Liber

2009

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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The release of selenium (Se) at relatively low concentrations into aquatic ecosystems over time can result in the accumulation and, if thresholds are exceeded, subsequent adverse effects in sensitive species, including higher trophic levels (such as fish). A milling operation in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, releases treated effluent into a small stream system, and Se has accumulated in sediments and aquatic biota over time. The present study evaluated four small lakes downstream of the effluent discharge point, and one lake upstream, in order to describe and understand the distribution of Se in abiotic environmental compartments and the transfer of Se into benthic macroinvertebrates. The concentrations of Se in sampled sediments were highly variable but exceeded proposed thresholds for the protection of fish and aquatic birds in all study lakes downstream of the effluent discharge point. Selenium concentrations in surface water, whole-sediment, and sediment pore water revealed that whole-body Se concentrations in benthic invertebrates (chironomids) are best correlated with Se in pore water. It is proposed that Se accumulates in sediments through an association with the total organic carbon content of sediment and that Se is fixed from the surface water by micro-organisms and primary producers. The relationship between Se in pore water and Se in whole sediments appears to be influenced by the organic carbon content of each medium, and Se bioavailability in sediment and transfer to higher trophic levels via benthic macroinvertebrates is likely speciation dependent.

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“…The accumulation of toxic selenium oxyanions has led to major ecological damage in the San Joaquin Valley, CA (53), with reproductive defects, such as depressed egg hatchability and embryonic deformity of the eyes, beak, and limbs, occurring in waterfowl (37). Mining effluents and residue from coalfired power plants are another major source of selenium contamination of aquatic systems (21,34).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Anaerobic Selenate-Respiring Bacteria from Aquatic Sediments

Narasingarao

Häggblom

2007

Appl Environ Microbiol

102

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The diversity population of microorganisms with the capability to use selenate as a terminal electron acceptor, reducing it to selenite and elemental selenium by the process known as dissimilatory selenate reduction, is largely unknown. The overall objective of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of anaerobic biotransformation of selenium in the environment, particularly anaerobic respiration, and to characterize the microorganisms catalyzing this process. Here, we demonstrate the isolation and characterization of four novel anaerobic dissimilatory selenate-respiring bacteria enriched from a variety of sources, including sediments from three different water bodies in Chennai, India, and a tidal estuary in New Jersey. Strains S5 and S7 from India, strain KM from the Meadowlands, NJ, and strain pn1, categorized as a laboratory contaminant, were all phylogenetically distinct, belonging to various phyla in the bacterial domain. The 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that strain S5 constitutes a new genus belonging to Chrysiogenetes, while strain S7 belongs to the Deferribacteres, with greater than 98% 16S rRNA gene similarity to Geovibrio ferrireducens. Strain KM is related to Malonomonas rubra, Pelobacter acidigallici, and Desulfuromusa spp., with 96 to 97% 16S rRNA gene similarity. Strain pn1 is 99% similar to Pseudomonas stutzeri. Strains S5, S7, and KM are obligately anaerobic selenate-respiring microorganisms, while strain pn1 is facultatively anaerobic. Besides respiring selenate, all these strains also respire nitrate.

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Larval Deformities Associated with Selenium Accumulation in Northern Pike (Esox lucius) Exposed to Metal Mining Effluent

Cited by 126 publications

References 18 publications

Biogeochemical aspects of uranium mineralization, mining, milling, and remediation

Biogeochemical aspects of uranium mineralization, mining, milling, and remediation

Selenium distribution in a lake system receiving effluent from a metal mining and milling operation in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada

Identification of Anaerobic Selenate-Respiring Bacteria from Aquatic Sediments

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