Selected Case Studies of Ecosystem Contamination by Selenium

Young, Terry; Finley, Keith; Adams, William J.; Besser, John M.; Hopkins, William A.; Jolley, Dianne F.; McNaughton, Eugenia; Presser, Theresa S.; Shaw, D; Unrine, Jason M.

doi:10.1201/ebk1439826775-a1

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…This is due in part to the narrow range between essentiality and toxicity, particularly in yolk-bearing vertebrate animals such as fishes, aquatic birds, and amphibians [2]. Anthropogenic activities such as discharges of coal, uranium, phosphate and base metal mining effluents, coal-fired electricity generation wastes (i.e., coal combustion residuals), oil refining wastewaters, and agricultural irrigation of seleniferous soils can greatly increase the naturally occurring inputs of Se into aquatic systems and place susceptible aquatic species at ecotoxicological risk (see case studies reviewed in References [3] and [4]). These case studies documenting negative impacts of anthropogenic inputs of Se Regressions are presented except for estuaries and equations are presented in panel A (p-value < 0.0001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium Interactions with Algae: Chemical Processes at Biological Uptake Sites, Bioaccumulation, and Intracellular Metabolism

Ponton

Graves

Fortin

et al. 2020

Plants

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Selenium (Se) uptake by primary producers is the most variable and important step in determining Se concentrations at higher trophic levels in aquatic food webs. We gathered data available about the Se bioaccumulation at the base of aquatic food webs and analyzed its relationship with Se concentrations in water. This important dataset was separated into lotic and lentic systems to provide a reliable model to estimate Se in primary producers from aqueous exposure. We observed that lentic systems had higher organic selenium and selenite concentrations than in lotic systems and selenate concentrations were higher in lotic environments. Selenium uptake by algae is mostly driven by Se concentrations, speciation and competition with other anions, and is as well influenced by pH. Based on Se species uptake by algae in the laboratory, we proposed an accurate mechanistic model of competition between sulfate and inorganic Se species at algal uptake sites. Intracellular Se transformations and incorporation into selenoproteins as well as the mechanisms through which Se can induce toxicity in algae has also been reviewed. We provided a new tool for risk assessment strategies to better predict accumulation in primary consumers and consequently to higher trophic levels, and we identified some research needs that could fill knowledge gaps.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium Interactions with Algae: Chemical Processes at Biological Uptake Sites, Bioaccumulation, and Intracellular Metabolism

Ponton

Graves

Fortin

et al. 2020

Plants

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“…Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that exists in the environment in many chemical forms (species). The aquatic ecotoxicology of Se has been the focus of scientific investigation for over 40 years, initiated by early studies that documented extirpation of fish populations and occurrences of teratogenicity in aquatic birds inhabiting areas receiving coal‐fired power plant wastes and agricultural drainage waters, respectively (reviewed in Skorupa ; Lemly ; Young et al ). This ongoing work has greatly increased our understanding of how specific hydrological, geochemical, physiological, and ecological processes govern the bioavailability and toxicity of this trace metalloid (Presser and Luoma ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrative assessment of selenium speciation, biogeochemistry, and distribution in a northern coldwater ecosystem

Janz

Liber

Pickering

et al. 2014

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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For the past decade, considerable research has been conducted at a series of small lakes receiving treated liquid effluent containing elevated selenium (Se) from the Key Lake uranium (U) milling operation in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Several studies related to this site, including field collections of water, sediment, and biota (biofilm and/or periphyton, invertebrates, fish, and birds), semicontrolled mesocosm and in situ caging studies, and controlled laboratory experiments have recently been published. The aim of the present investigation was to compile the site-specific information obtained from this multidisciplinary research into an integrative perspective regarding the influence of Se speciation on biogeochemical cycling and food web transfer of Se in coldwater ecosystems. Within lakes, approximately 50% of sediment Se was in the form of elemental Se, although this ranged from 0% to 81% among samples. This spatial variation in elemental Se was positively correlated with finer particles (less sand) and percent total organic C content in sediments. Other Se species detected in sediments included selenosulfides, selenite, and inorganic metal selenides. In contrast, the major Se form in sediment-associated biofilm and/or periphyton was an organoselenium species modeled as selenomethionine (SeMet), illustrating the critical importance of this matrix in biotransformation of inorganic Se to organoselenium compounds and subsequent trophic transfer to benthic invertebrates at the base of the food web. Detritus displayed a Se speciation profile intermediate between sediment and biofilm, with both elemental Se and SeMet present. In benthic detritivore (chironomid) larvae and emergent adults, and in foraging and predatory fishes, SeMet was the dominant Se species. The proportion of total Se present as a SeMet-like species displayed a direct nonlinear relationship with increasing whole-body Se in invertebrates and fishes, plateauing at approximately 70% to 80% of total Se as a SeMet-like species. In fish collected from reference lakes, a selenocystine-like species was the major Se species detected. Similar Se speciation profiles were observed using 21-day mesocosm and in situ caging studies with native small-bodied fishes, illustrating the efficient bioaccumulation of Se and use of these semicontrolled approaches for future research. A simplified conceptual model illustrating changes in Se speciation through abiotic and biotic components of lakes was developed, which is likely applicable to a wide range of northern industrial sites receiving elevated Se loading into aquatic ecosystems.

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“…Selenium (Se) is an essential element that can be particularly toxic to oviparous species via dietary exposures. − A wide variety of human activities introduce elevated Se into aquatic ecosystems including mining (e.g., coal, phosphate, uranium), inappropriate storage and/or spills of coal combustion wastes, irrigation of Se-rich soils, and fossil fuel refining. , Fish and birds, which are either permanent or transient residents in these systems, are at risk of ingesting Se-enriched prey and may suffer reproductive failure and/or teratogenic defects in offspring. , Understanding the dietary incorporation and maternal transfer of Se across a range of species is critical to properly assessing the risk to fish and wildlife populations from Se exposure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic Selenium Assimilation, Distribution, Efflux, and Maternal Transfer in Japanese Medaka Fed a Diet of Se-enriched Mayflies

Conley

Watson

Xie

et al. 2014

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Selenium (Se) trafficking in oviparous species remains understudied and a major source of uncertainty in developing sound Se regulations. Here, we utilized (75)Se to follow Se through a simulated natural food chain (water, periphyton, mayflies (Centroptilum triangulifer), fish (Japanese medaka)). We specifically examined Se assimilation efficiency, tissue distribution, efflux rate, and maternal transfer in medaka. Selenium assimilation efficiency (AE) averaged 63.2 ± 8.8% from mayfly diets and was not affected by mayfly [Se] across a dietary range of 5.6-38.7 μg g(-1) (dry wt). However, AE decreased significantly as mayfly larva size increased. Efflux rate constants (ke) were consistent between reproductively inactive (0.066 d(-1)) and spawning females (0.069 d(-1)). Total Se loss rate constant (ke+egg; efflux and egg deposition) was 0.17 d(-1) in spawning females. Interestingly, medaka appeared to rapidly shuttle Se to their eggs directly from their diet via the ovary, as opposed to mobilization from surrounding tissues, resulting in dynamic egg [Se] that was more attributable to recent dietary Se ingestion than female whole body [Se] in this asynchronous spawning fish. Spawning strategy likely plays a large role in the process of fish egg Se deposition and requires further attention to understand risk and toxicity of Se to fish.

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Selected Case Studies of Ecosystem Contamination by Selenium

Cited by 11 publications

References 64 publications

Selenium Interactions with Algae: Chemical Processes at Biological Uptake Sites, Bioaccumulation, and Intracellular Metabolism

Selenium Interactions with Algae: Chemical Processes at Biological Uptake Sites, Bioaccumulation, and Intracellular Metabolism

Integrative assessment of selenium speciation, biogeochemistry, and distribution in a northern coldwater ecosystem

Dynamic Selenium Assimilation, Distribution, Efflux, and Maternal Transfer in Japanese Medaka Fed a Diet of Se-enriched Mayflies

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