Selenium and other trace elements in aquatic insects in coal mine-affected streams in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada

Journal Article · Mon May 15 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-005-0114-8· OSTI ID:20741183

Wayland, M; Crosley, R ^[1]

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1. Environmental Canada, Saskatoon, SK (Canada)

We determined levels of Se, As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in aquatic insects at coal mine-impacted and reference sites in streams in the Rocky Mountain foothills of west central Alberta from 2001-2003. Selenium levels were greater at coal mine-impacted sites than at reference sites in caddisflies but not in mayflies or stoneflies. Arsenic levels were greater at coal mine-impacted sites than at reference sites in caddisflies and stoneflies but not in mayflies. Zn levels were higher at coal mine-impacted sites than at reference sites in all three groups of insects. At coal mine-impacted sites, Se levels in mayflies and caddisflies were greater than those in stoneflies while at reference sites mayflies contained greater concentrations of Se than either caddisflies or stoneflies. Arsenic levels in mayflies were greater than those in caddisflies at reference and coal mine-impacted sites and were greater than those in stoneflies at reference sites. At both types of sites Cd differed amongst insect taxa in the order of mayflies < caddisflies < stoneflies. The same was true of Zn at coal mine-affected sites. At reference sites, stoneflies had greater concentrations of Zn than both mayflies and caddisflies. At both types of sites, Pb levels were greater in mayflies and caddisflies than they were in stoneflies. Of the five trace elements considered in this study, only Se was sufficiently elevated in aquatic invertebrates to be of potential concern for consumers such as fish and aquatic birds. Such was the case at both coal mine-impacted and reference sites.

• OSTI ID: 20741183
• Journal Information: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 50; ISSN AECTCV; ISSN 0090-4341
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ALBERTA
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CADMIUM
CANADA
COAL MINING
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INSECTS
LEAD
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
SELENIUM
STREAMS
TRACE AMOUNTS
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC