Accumulation of selenium in aquatic systems downstream of a uranium mining operation in northern Saskatchewan, Canada

Environ Pollut. 2008 Nov;156(2):387-93. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.01.039. Epub 2008 Mar 17.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the accumulation of selenium in lakes downstream of a uranium mine operation in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Selenium concentrations in sediment and biota were elevated in exposure areas even though water concentrations were low (<5 microg/L). The pattern (from smallest to largest) of selenium accumulation was: periphyton<plankton and filterer invertebrates<detritivore and predator invertebrates<small bodied (forage) fish and predatory fish. Biomagnification of selenium resulted in an approximately 1.5-6 fold increase in the selenium content between plankton, invertebrates and forage fish. However, no biomagnification was observed between forage fish and predatory fish. Selenium content in organisms from exposure areas exceeded the proposed 3-11 microg/g (dry weight) dietary toxicity threshold for fish, suggesting that the selenium released into these aquatic systems has the potential to bioaccumulate and reach levels that could impair fish reproduction.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ecotoxicology / methods
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Fishes / metabolism
  • Food Chain
  • Food Contamination
  • Fresh Water / analysis
  • Geologic Sediments / analysis
  • Industrial Waste*
  • Invertebrates / chemistry
  • Mining*
  • Plankton / chemistry
  • Saskatchewan
  • Selenium / analysis*
  • Selenium / toxicity
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis
  • Soil Pollutants / toxicity
  • Trace Elements / analysis*
  • Trace Elements / toxicity
  • Uranium*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Industrial Waste
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Trace Elements
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Uranium
  • Selenium