Selenium speciation and localization in chironomids from lakes receiving treated metal mine effluent

Tse, J. S.; Gallego-Gallegos, Mercedes; Franz, Eric D.; Liber, Karsten; Pickering, Ingrid J.

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.04.036

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Selenium speciation profiles (Figure ) in selected samples (whole‐sediment, detritus, biofilm/periphyton, benthic detritivores, adult insects, small‐bodied fish, and large‐bodied fish) representing the effluent‐receiving lakes downstream of the Key Lake Operation were determined using synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) (Wiramanaden, Liber et al ; Phibbs ; Phibbs, Wiramanaden et al ; Tse et al ; Franz et al ). A major advantage of XAS is that it can be performed on intact, frozen samples without substantial pretreatment.…”

Section: Relationships Among Selenium Speciation Biogeochemistry Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Percentage of total selenium (Se) as different Se species in abiotic and biotic samples collected downstream of the Key Lake Operation, northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Whole‐sediment, n = 7 (Wiramanaden, Liber et al ; Franz et al ); biofilm, n = 1 (Franz et al ), detritus, n = 1 (Franz et al ); and benthic invertebrates, n = 7 (Wiramanaden, Liber et al 2010; Franz et al ; Tse et al ) were sampled from Unknown Lake. Adult insects were collected from laboratory experiments ( n = 1) (Franz et al ).…”

Section: Relationships Among Selenium Speciation Biogeochemistry Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The selenite content in whole‐sediment was positively correlated with porewater Se content, suggesting an equilibrium partitioning relationship between adsorbed and dissolved selenite in sediment. Vertical profiling of the sediments also showed a heterogeneity in total Se and Se speciation as a function of depth, with more oxidized Se species observed near the sediment‐water interface (Tse ).…”

Section: Relationships Among Selenium Speciation Biogeochemistry Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our general working hypothesis was that Se speciation varies among abiotic and biotic compartments of lakes receiving treated effluent, and this will influence bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer in resident aquatic organisms. We used an integrative, multidisciplinary approach involving controlled laboratory experiments (Franz et al ; Goertzen et al ), semicontrolled mesocosm (Driessnack, Dubé et al ; Driessnack, Jones et al ), and in situ caging studies (Phibbs, Franz, et al ; Phibbs, Wiramanaden et al ; Franz et al ), and field collections of water, sediment, and biota (biofilm and/or periphyton, invertebrates, fishes, and birds) (Wiramanaden, Forster et al ; Wiramanaden, Liber et al ; Phibbs, Wiramanaden et al ; Tse et al ; Weech et al ). The underlying theme of these experiments was to determine Se speciation profiles in the various samples collected.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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Section: Relationships Among Selenium Speciation Biogeochemistry Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Relationships Among Selenium Speciation Biogeochemistry Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Relationships Among Selenium Speciation Biogeochemistry Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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“…86 The linear appearance of the nickel versus iron plot indicates correlation and colocalization of the two elements. A correlation plot of zinc versus iron is also shown, illustrating the appearance when there is little or no colocalization of two elements.…”

Section: Experimental Methods and Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental and Chemically Specific X-ray Fluorescence Imaging of Biological Systems

et al. 2014

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Practicalities of Mainstreaming Biomarker Use – A Canadian Perspective

Mihok

McKee

2022

NATO Science for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology

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This paper discusses the use of biomarkers within the environmental protection framework that has evolved since the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) was given a broad mandate for the protection of the environment under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) in 2000. Unique insights have been obtained through environmental assessments for major nuclear projects conducted under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and through the Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) requirements at uranium mines and mills (Metal Mining Effluent Regulations under the Fisheries Act (FA)). Altogether, the Canadian nuclear sector now has 17 years of experience in applying biological evidence in decision-making. Key examples are discussed where improved effluent controls were implemented at uranium mines for three substances (U, Mo, Se) based on risk assessments and supporting biological evidence. In the case of U, potential for localized harm from the chemical toxicity rather than radiological toxicity of U was identified at three older mines through environmental risk assessment. Evidence of potential harm in the field was also obtained from a community ecology bioindicator (benthic invertebrate biodiversity). This led to the improvement of effluent controls for U that were straightforward to implement under the NSCA. In the case of Mo, the weight of evidence for potential health effects on moose and other riparian wildlife from ecological risk assessments (supported by field evidence from Sweden) prompted improved controls based on precaution and pollution prevention. A technological solution was readily available for reducing Mo in effluent and was therefore implemented. In the case of Se, population level effects in fish and individual level effects in waterfowl in the USA led to selenium risks being evaluated downstream of uranium mines. Biomarkers (larval teratogenic deformities) played a pivotal role in attributing observed effects (harm) to the probable cause (selenium accumulation in the environment). However, as technological solutions were not straightforward, effort was required to build a consensus on achievable effluent control targets in a multi-stakeholder and multi-jurisdictional context. Through site-specific research and the latest scientific literature, criteria for selenium risk evaluation and water treatment system improvements were agreed upon and implemented. Within the EEM program, similar issues have arisen in managing a robust and defensible regulatory framework for controls on multiple hazardous substances across many mining sectors. However, an initial review of biomarkers resulted in the selection of only ecologically-relevant parameters (fish health and population indicators, benthic invertebrate biodiversity) as triggers for regulatory action. Altogether, these and other parallel experiences are discussed in terms of the desirable attributes of biological effects monitoring in a Canadian regulatory context.

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Selenium speciation and localization in chironomids from lakes receiving treated metal mine effluent

Cited by 13 publications

References 25 publications

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

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

Elemental and Chemically Specific X-ray Fluorescence Imaging of Biological Systems

Practicalities of Mainstreaming Biomarker Use – A Canadian Perspective

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