Biological consequences of selenium in aquatic ecosystem

Journal Article · · California Agriculture; (USA)

OSTI ID:6898054

Davis, E A; Maier, K J; Knight, A W ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Davis (USA)

The chemistry, occurrence, and toxicity of selenium in the aquatic environment are reviewed. At low concentrations, selenium is a micronutrient for many aquatic organisms. At higher concentrations, selenium toxicity is mediated by its ability to combine with proteins. Organisms complete the selenium cycle by returning organic selenium to the environment through methylation and mineralization. Methylated selenium compounds are volatile and relatively insoluble, and are easily lost to the atmosphere. Little is known about the organisms, rates, or pathways involved in selenium mineralization. Organic forms of selenium are approximately ten times more toxic than inorganic forms to aquatic algae, invertebrates, and fish. The reduced ability to reproduce is a toxic effect of selenium found at all levels of the food chain. Bioaccumulation of selenium can be accomplished by either bioconcentration or biomagnification; the latter has yet to be substantiated by laboratory experiments. Numerous possibilities for dealing with excess selenium are under investigation, including oceanic or estuarine disposal. More knowledge of the selenium cycle is essential to planning the best time, place, and method for such a solution. 1 fig., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6898054
• Journal Information: California Agriculture; (USA), Journal Name: California Agriculture; (USA) Vol. 42:1; ISSN CAGRA; ISSN 0008-0845
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
FISHES
FOOD CHAINS
INVERTEBRATES
METHYLATION
MINERALIZATION
POLLUTION
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION