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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 59(12)

Selenium bioaccumulation and biomagnification in Lake Wallace, New South Wales, Australia

J. F. Jasonsmith A C , W. Maher A D , A.C. Roach B and F. Krikowa A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Belconnen, ACT 2601, Australia.

B Centre for Ecotoxicology, New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia.

C Current address: Earth and Marine Sciences, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 0200, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: bill.maher@canberra.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 59(12) 1048-1060 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08197
Submitted: 27 June 2008  Accepted: 29 August 2008   Published: 18 December 2008

Abstract

Selenium concentrations were measured in water, sediments and organisms inhabiting a freshwater coal power station cooling reservoir. Se concentrations found were: water, 1.9 ± 2 μg L–1; sediment, 7 ± 1 μg g–1; phytoplankton, 3.4 μg g–1; zooplankton, 5.3 μg g–1; epiphytic algae, 1.3 ± 0.2 μg g–1; benthic algae, 8 ± 2 μg g–1; macrophyte leaves, 2.7–2.8 μg g–1; macrophyte roots, 0.5–6.5 μg g–1; detritus, 10 μg g–1; Oligochaeta, 11 μg g–1; Corbiculidae, 1.1 μg g–1; Insects, 3.7–8.3 μg g–1; Gastropoda, 3.2 μg g–1; Crustacea, 3.1–6 μg g–1; whole fish, 2.2–13 μg g–1; and fish liver, 134–314 μg g–1. Bioconcentration factors were similar to those found in aquatic ecosystems with comparable Se concentrations in the water column. A food web was constructed with four main food chains (phytoplankton, epiphytic algae, benthic algae and sediment/detrital), with fish fed from multiple pathways. Biomagnification only occurs along food chains for flathead gudgeons and rainbow trout. Se concentrations in food sources were above the 3 μg g–1 dietary Se level considered to induce teratogenesis in fish spawning. Flathead gudgeons were found to be suffering teratogenesis and rainbow trout showed no evidence of teratogenesis.

Additional keyword: ecotoxicology.


Acknowledgements

Thanks to Anne Taylor, Anthony Chariton, Cheryl Tang and Christopher Rush and the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change for providing the logistical support for the sampling trips. This study was financed by the Ecochemistry Laboratory, University of Canberra.


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