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Accumulation of selenium by the aquatic biota of a watershed treated with seleniferous fertilizer

The bioaccumulation and transfer of selenium by aquatic biota was evaluated. A seleniferous fertilizer (Selcote) containing 1 per cent selenium was aerially applied to an experimental area in the Little Antelope valley, Calif. Water, macrophyte and invertebrate samples were collected from 3 stream s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 1998-03, Vol.60 (3), p.409-416
Main Authors: MAIER, K. J, NELSON, C. R, BAILEY, F. C, KLAINE, S. J, KNIGHT, A. W
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The bioaccumulation and transfer of selenium by aquatic biota was evaluated. A seleniferous fertilizer (Selcote) containing 1 per cent selenium was aerially applied to an experimental area in the Little Antelope valley, Calif. Water, macrophyte and invertebrate samples were collected from 3 stream sites, prior and subsequent to the application of the fertilizer and analysed for selenium. Selenium levels in the aquatic systems of the treated areas (0.25 ug selenium per litre) were within the typical ranges reported for natural freshwater systems. Selenium rapidly bioaccumulated in aquatic macrophytes and invertebrates (0.60 to 1.16 and 0.5 to 4.74 mg selenium per kg dry weight, within 2 weeks, respectively) with a residence time of more than a year. Although no acute toxic effects were observed in the invertebrate communities, laboratory data indicated the potential for an ecotoxic problem.
ISSN:0007-4861
1432-0800
DOI:10.1007/s001289900641