Assessing the Effect of Selenium on the Life-cycle of Two Aquatic Invertebrates: 'Ceriodaphnia dubia' and 'Chironomus dilutus'

Abstract

Runoff and effluent discharge from mining activities has resulted in elevated concentrations of selenium in aquatic ecosystems. Bioavailability is dependent on chemical speciation. Although dissolved inorganic Se species are not directly toxic to organisms, uptake by primary producers and subsequent biotransformation to organo-selenium species substantially increase risk and bioaccumulation potential, potentially impairing reproduction in high-order organisms. The effects of dietary selenium exposure were assessed in two aquatic invertebrates: Ceriodaphnia dubia and Chironomus dilutus. Two generations of these organisms were exposed to seleniferous algae grown in 0-40 μg L-1 selenate. Dissolved selenate was readily absorbed and concentrated by algal species Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Chlorella kesslerii. Se had no effect on survival at treated concentrations. Dietary selenium exposures had little effect on reproductive endpoints in either invertebrate species, suggesting that invertebrates have the ability to regulate chronic Se exposures from dietary sources. These results provide valuable information concerning the effects of dietary selenium in aquatic invertebrates.