Antagonistic effect of selenium on mercury assimilation by fish populations near Sudbury metal smelters?

Chen, Yuwei; Belzile, Nelson; Gunn, John M.

doi:10.4319/lo.2001.46.7.1814

Cited by 102 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Southworth et al (2000) observed a long-term increase in mercury concentrations in the largemouth bass following the reduction of waterborne selenium. Chen et al (2001) further found a significantly negative correlation between the mercury concentrations in perch and walleye muscles and selenium concentrations. The mechanism of interaction between these two elements in the bioassimilation processes has not yet been clarified although it appears to be related to the element competition between mercury and selenium in fish muscles.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Culvin-Aralar & Furness 1991). However, field studies on the Se-Hg interaction in freshwater fish are relatively scarce, and the data collected from these are often controversial (Chen et al 2001).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Various studies have shown that there is either no correlation (Cappon & Smith 1981) or a negative one (Paulsson & Lundbergh 1991;Chen et al 2001) between the concentrations of selenium and mercury in fish. Sheline & Schmidt-Nielsen (1977) investigated the Hg-Se interaction in the fish Fundulus heteroclitus and found little effect of selenium on the overall body retention of mercury.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Methylmercury, total mercury and total selenium in four common freshwater fish species from Ya-Er Lake, China

Jin

Liang

Jiang

et al. 2006

Environ Geochem Health

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Snakehead fish (Ophiocephalus argus cantor), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrtix), crucian carp (Carassius carassius), and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are four common freshwater fish species in China. In this study, the level of methylmercury (MeHg), total mercury (T-Hg), and total selenium (T-Se) in muscle samples of these four fish species from Ya-Er Lake, China, were analyzed using atomic fluorescence spectrometry coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentrations of MeHg in all the fish species were significantly correlated with those of T-Hg. Higher T-Hg and MeHg concentrations had accumulated in the snakehead fish, which is a strongly predatory fish, than in the other three species. The concentration ratios of MeHg and T-Hg in the muscles of these four fish species were almost equal. Conversely, there was negative correlation between the concentrations of T-Hg and T-Se, which implies that there is a competition between these two elements with respect to bioaccumulation. It is noteworthy that of all the muscle samples tested, the level of T-Hg exceeded the maximum allowable limit in fish [0.4 mg kg )1 (w/w) recommended by the World Health Organization] in 38.46% of those of the silver carp, 18.18% of those of the crucian carp, and 100% of those of snakehead fish. These results show that the consumption of contaminated fish is a potential threat to human health and that necessary preventive measures to safeguard public health should be emphasized.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Methylmercury, total mercury and total selenium in four common freshwater fish species from Ya-Er Lake, China

Jin

Liang

Jiang

et al. 2006

Environ Geochem Health

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“…Se maintained a molar excess over Hg in all species examined in this study, with Se concentrations never reaching those considered to be a toxic threat (Lemly 1996). Exceptionally large Se molar advantages have been recorded through lower trophic groups (Chen et al 2001;Belzile et al 2006, Karimi et al 2013), but these molar advantages tend to decrease up the food chain to higher organisms (Yang et al 2008;Kehrig et al 2009;Fang et al 2011). This relationship was also evident in the present study, with the reduced molar advantage with increasing trophic level being the result of the biomagnification of Hg across trophic levels, as Se concentrations showed either no biomagnification or weak reductions with increasing d 15 N. The stability of the Se concentrations across the food web may be the result of a metabolic balancing act in which Se molar advantage over Hg is offset against maintaining Se concentrations at a level that does not cause toxicity problems (Lemly 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Application of stable isotope mixing models for defining trophic biomagnification pathways of mercury and selenium

Jones

Swadling

Butler

et al. 2014

Limnology & Oceanography

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Trophic models based on nitrogen stable isotope ratios (d 15 N) have been shown to predict changes in mercury (Hg) concentrations in fish; however, they are usually applied at the ecosystem scale and are rarely directed at known trophic pathways. We discuss a novel approach in which we combined gut contents analysis and stable isotope analyses (d 15 N and d 13 C) into a Bayesian isotopic mixing model to provide a quantitative estimate of Hg and selenium (Se) biomagnification in an estuarine food web. Estimates of the relationship between total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were significantly improved in mixing model-adjusted food webs over models that included all known prey sources. Spatial differences in dietary composition and MeHg bioavailability offer strong evidence that local food webs can have a significant effect on the biomagnification of Hg within benthic fish species. While no evidence of Se biomagnification was found, lower Se : Hg ratios at higher trophic levels could be attributed to increasing trophic Hg concentration. Furthermore, stable isotope analysis suggested Hg and Se biotransfer from benthic sources to fish. Overall, the findings highlight that isotope mixing models can be a significant aid in assessments of contaminant biomagnification, particularly when it is important to define food pathways to top predators.

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“…Several studies suggest an important role of Se in the reducing bioaccumulation of Hg in fish (50)(51)(52) and inverse relationships between fish tissue Hg and the abundance of Se present in the ecosystem have been noted (53,54). Selenium supplementation of lake waters in Sweden resulted in a 75%-85% reduction in Hg levels of fish over a 3-year period (55) and loss of Se can have the opposite effect.…”

Section: How Does Selenium Inhibit Hg-bioaccumulation In Fish?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Information Clearinghouse

Wocken¹,

Holmes²,

Laudal³

et al. 2006

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Antagonistic effect of selenium on mercury assimilation by fish populations near Sudbury metal smelters?

Cited by 102 publications

References 16 publications

Methylmercury, total mercury and total selenium in four common freshwater fish species from Ya-Er Lake, China

Methylmercury, total mercury and total selenium in four common freshwater fish species from Ya-Er Lake, China

Application of stable isotope mixing models for defining trophic biomagnification pathways of mercury and selenium

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