Table 9.02: Chronic toxicity of selenium to freshwater fish

Species

Life Stage

Data type

Chemical

Hardness (mg/L as CaCO₃)

Other Measured Parameters

Conc. in water (mg/L)

Conc. in diet (µg/g) dry wt

Effect

Reference

Brachydanio rerio

-

-

selenite

-

-

3.000

-

7-d, mortality

Niimi and LaHam, 1975

(zebrafish)

-

-

selenite

-

-

1.000

-

10-d, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

10.000

-

10-d, change in % hatch or time to hatch

Carassius auratus

-

-

selenite

-

-

32.700

-

5-d LC₅₀, mortality

Cardwell et al., 1976a

(goldfish)

-

-

selenite

-

-

22.300

-

6-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

17.200

-

7-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

13.000

-

9-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

11.500

-

11-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

8.800

-

14-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

12.000

-

7 and 9-d LC₅₀, mortality

Weir and Hine, 1970

-

-

selenite

157.0

-

6.300

-

14-d LC₅₀, mortality

Cardwell et al., 1976a,b

-

-

selenite

-

-

5.000

-

10-d, mortality

Ellis, 1937; Ellis et al., 1937

-

-

selenite

-

-

2.000

-

46-d, gradual anorexia and mortality

Ellis et al., 1937

-

-

selenate

175.0

-

8.780

-

7-d EC₅₀, death and deformity

Birge, 1978

Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp)

adult

F,M,1

selenate / selenite (60:40 ratio)

-

pH = 7.5-11.0

0.025

-

~ 500-d study, mortality: none recorded alive (1 found dead and 3 unaccounted for, out of 4)

Crane et al., 1992

Dorosoma petenense (threadfin shad)

all life stages

F,M,1

-

-

Temp. = 20.0-38.0 °C

0.010

and 15.000-70.000 in diet

2 yr study, mortality and deformity of fry, juveniles and adults; significant decrease in standing crop

Cumbie and Van Horn, 1978

Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish)

-

F,M,1

-

-

-

.340-.390

-

long term study (1984), (compared to control) mean survival of fry was 70%; shorter length and earlier stage of development in stillborn fry than in live fry

Saiki and Ogle, 1995; BOR, 1987

-

F,M,1

-

-

-

.340-.350

-

long term study (1985), (compared to control) mean survival of fry was 77%; shorter length and earlier stage of development in stillborn fry than in live fry; whole body conc. of in dry wt of fish is 100 ug/g

Ictalurus platycephalus (flat bullhead)

all life stages

F,M,1

-

-

Temp. = 20.0-38.0 °C

0.010

and 15.000-70.000 in diet

2 yr study, mortality and deformity of fry, juveniles and adults; significant decrease in standing crop

Cumbie and Van Horn, 1978

Lepomis cyanellus (green sunfish)

all life stages

F,M,1

-

-

Temp. = 20.0-38.0 °C

0.010

and 15.000-70.000 in diet

2 yr study, mortality and deformity of fry, juveniles and adults; significant decrease in standing crop; complete reproduction failure

Cumbie and Van Horn, 1978

Lepomis macrochirus (bluegills)

adult fish, eggs, and 30 day old fry

F, M, 1

Na₂Se0₄/ Na₂Se0₃ (6:1 ratio) + diet (seleno-L-methionine)

-

-

0.010

and in diet 4.600- 33.300

11 wk study, during spawning, monitoring fry for 30 days after hatch, revealed that fry were significantly affected, especially of those whose parents had a combination with high diet Se (33.3 ug Se/g)

Coyle et al., 1993

adult

F, M,1

selenite

179.0

pH = 8.0; D.O. = 3.6-9.5 mg/L; Temp. = 4.6-26.4°C; Alkalinity = 160.0 mg/L

0.010

-

356-d chronic study, effect on reproduction and progeny showed that reduction in survival was seen in the last 98 days; adult growth was reduced during intermediate stage.

Hermanutz et al., 1992

adult

F, M,1

selenite

179.0

pH = 8.0; D.O. = 3.6-9.5 mg/L; Temp. = 4.6-26.4°C; Alkalinity = 160.0 mg/L

0.300

-

356-d chronic study, and effect on reproduction and progeny showed that complete mortalityresulted from this conc.; adult growth was reduced during intermediate stage.

adult

F, M,1

selenite

179.0

pH = 8.0; D.O. = 3.6-9.5 mg/L; Temp. = 4.6-26.4°C; Alkalinity = 160.0 mg/L

0.010

-

40 wks, exposure before spawning, resulted in reduced embryo and larval survival and produced larvae with a high incidence of edema, lordosis, and internal hemorhaging

adult

F, M,1

selenite

179.0

pH = 8.0; D.O. = 3.6-9.5 mg/L; Temp. = 4.6-26.4°C; Alkalinity = 160.0 mg/L

0.300

-

40 wks, exposure before spawning, resulted in reduced embryo and larval survival and produced larvae with a high incidence of edema, lordosis, and internal hemorhaging

-

-

selenite

-

-

30.700

-

7-d LC₅₀, mortality

Cardwell et al., 1976a

-

-

selenite

-

-

27.700

-

8-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

23.600

-

10-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

20.500

-

12-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

157.0

-

12.500

-

14-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

-

-

-

17.600

-

14-d LC₅₀, mortality

Lepomis macrochirus (bluegills) (cont.)

adults exposed in the field and spawned in the laboratory

F,M,1

-

-

Alkalinity = 20.0 mg/L

0.009-0.012

-

2-yr study, mortality and deformity of larvae; total reproductive failure; in larvae 28.20 ug Se/g dry wt; carcass (minus gonad) = 5.9-7.8 ug Se/g wet wt; ovary = 6.9 wet wt (38.8-54.2 dry wt); testis = 4.37 wet wt

Gillespie and Baumann, 1986

juveniles

F,M,1

-

-

Temp. = 21.0 °C

-

in diet 54.000 (satiation feeding-diet of mayfly nymph)

44-d, fish showed gross pathological and behavioral signs of selenosis; food avoidance was also seen; 75% mortality; skeletal muscle = 5.0-7.0 ug Se/g wet wt; liver = 8.0-86.0 wet wt

Finley, 1985; Adams, 1976

juveniles

F,M,1

-

18.0

Temp. = 25.0 °C

-

in diet 45.000 (satiation feeding)

7-d, 100% mortality; whole body = 21-32 ug Se/g dry wt

Carolina Power and Light Company, 1985

juveniles

F,M,1

-

19.0

Temp. = 25.0 °C

-

in diet 25.000-70.000 (satiation feeding)

61-d, 100% mortality; whole body conc. = 44.0-53.0 ug Se/g dry wt

juveniles

F,M,1

-

Temp. = 26.0 °C; Alkalinity = 26.0 mg/L

0.009-0.012

in diet 21.000-73.000 (satiation feeding)

14-d, 100 % mortality; muscle = 13.1-17.5 ug Se/g dry wt; viscera = 27.5-37.5 dry wt

Duke Power Company, 1980

larvae

F,M,1

selenite

318.0-330.0

-

0.400-2.000

-

48-d, LC₅₀

Adams, 1976

juvenile

F.M,1

selenite and selenate in water and seleno-L-methionine in diet

20.0-25.0

pH = 6.1-6.6; D.O. = 8.1-8.6 mg/L; Temp. = 20.0°C

0.005

in diet 5.100 as seleno-L-methionine

180-d study, hematological changes and gill damage that reduced respiratory capacity while increasing respiratory demand and oxygen consumption

Lemly, 1993

juvenile

F.M,1

selenite and selenate in water and seleno-L-methionine in diet

20.0-25.0

pH = 6.1-6.6; D.O. = 8.1-8.6 mg/L; Temp. = 4.0°C

0.005

in diet 5.100 as seleno-L-methionine

180-d study, high Se in combination with low water temp. caused reduced activity and feeding, depletion of 50-80% of body lipid and significant mortality within 60 days.

Lepomis macrochirus (bluegills) (cont.)

juvenile

F,M,1

selenite and selenate (6:1 ratio)

134.0

pH = 8.1; Temp. = 17.0°C; Alkalinity = 60.0-65.0 mg/L

0.640

-

60-d LOAEC, increased mortality

Cleveland et al., 1993

-

-

selenite and selenate (6:1 ratio)

-

-

0.160-2.800

-

60-d, change in behaviour

-

-

selenite and selenate (6:1 ratio)

-

-

0.160-2.800

-

18-d LOC

juvenile

F,M,1

selenite and selenate (6:1 ratio)

134.0

pH = 8.1; Temp. = 17.0°C; Alkalinity = 60.0-65.0 mg/L

2.800

-

30-d, measurable changes in length and or weight of test organism; significant reduction in condition factor (K)

juvenile

F,M,1

seleno-L-methionine

134.0

pH = 8.1; Temp. = 17.0°C; Alkalinity = 60.0-65.0 mg/L

-

in diet 25.000 ug Se/g wet wt as seleno-L-methionine

30-d, significant reductions in condition factor (K)

juvenile

F,M,1

seleno-L-methionine

134.0

pH = 8.1; Temp. = 17.0°C; Alkalinity = 60.0-65.0 mg/L

-

in diet 13.000 ug Se/g wet wt as seleno-L-methionine

90-d, significant reductions in condition factor (K)

all life stages

F,M,1

-

-

Temp. = 20.0-38.0 °C

0.010

and 15.000-70.000 in diet

2 yr study, mortality and deformity of fry, juveniles and adults; significant decrease in standing crop; complete reproduction failure

Cumbie and Van Horn, 1978

Lepomis microlophus (redear sunfish)

-

-

-

-

-

0.005

-

contaminated lake resulted in substantial alterations in the liver including necrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, Kupffer cell proliferation and many abnormalities in ovaries; mean hepatic conc. of fish is 7.63 ug Se/g and 4.33 in ovaries

Sorensen, 1988

Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass)

all life stages

F,M,1

-

-

Temp. = 20.0-38.0 °C

0.010

and 15.000-70.000 in diet

2 yr study, mortality and deformity of fry, juveniles and adults; significant decrease in standing crop; complete reproduction failure

Cumbie and Van Horn, 1978

Oncorhynchus kisutch (coho salmon)

larvae, fry

F,M,1

selenite

325.0-330.0

-

0.160

-

43-48-d LC₅₀

Adams, 1976

Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout)

-

-

-

-

-

-

in diet 10.000-13.000

results indicate reduced growth rates in rainbow trout

Hilton et al., 1980; Hilton and Hodson, 1983; and Hicks et al., 1984

-

-

selenate

45.0

-

2.891

-

chronic effect, early life stage

Spehar, 1986

egg

F,M,1

-

28.0

-

0.030-0.170

-

60-d, significant number of mortalities

Goettl and Davies, 1976a

egg

F,M,1

-

28.0

-

0.030-0.170

-

12-mos, significant mortality

-

-

selenite

135.0

-

0.047

-

41-d (early life stage), reduced hatch of eyed embryos

Hodson et al., 1980

eyed eggs

F,M,1

-

135.0

Temp. = 0°C

0.028

-

post fertilization through hatching, significantly reduced hatching

-

-

selenite

135.0

-

0.053

-

50-wk, decreased iron in blood

-

-

-

-

-

-

in diet 5.410-6.920

9-d LC₅₀

-

-

selenite

330.0

-

2.700-2.750

-

5-d LC₅₀

Adams, 1976

-

-

selenite

334.0

-

0.250

-

21-d study, results showed reduced growth in trout fry

-

-

selenite

334.0

-

0.460

-

21-d LC₅₀

-

-

-

0.290

-

96-d LC₅₀

-

-

selenite

325.0

-

0.280

-

96-d LC₅₀

larvae

F,M,1

selenite

325.0-330.0

-

0.500

-

48-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

-

-

-

0.060-0.130

-

life cycle LC₅₀

USEPA, 1980

embryos

-

-

-

-

0.080

-

1 yr study, fish developed external deformities

Goettl and Davis, 1976a

sac fry (21.7 mm, 0.075 g)

F, M, 1

selenite

272.0

pH = 7.4; Temp. = 12.0°C; Alkalinity = 237.0 mg/L

0.047

-

90-d, significant mortality; whole body=1.07 ug Se/g wet wt in survivors; length was reduced at 30 and 60 days

Hunn et al., 1987

sac fry (21.7 mm, 0.075 g)

F, M, 1

selenite

272.0

pH = 7.4; Alkalinity = 237.0 mg/L

0.100

-

90-d study, showed survival significantly reduced; whole body=2.65 ug Se/g wet wt in survivors; length and wt. were significantly reduced after 90 days

sac fry (21.7 mm, 0.075 g)

F, M, 1

selenite

272.0

pH = 7.4; Alkalinity = 237.0 mg/L

0.012

-

30, 60 and 90-d studies, results of study indicate safe level of 0.010 mg/L for inorganic Se would not sig. affect growth but conc. near this level (0.012) reduce levels of calcium in backbone

-

-

selenite

272.0

-

0.055

-

90-d LC₅₀

Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) (cont.)

juveniles

F,M,1

selenite

28.0

Temp. = 11.0°C

-

in diet 8.900

42-wk, significant mortality

Goettl and Davies, 1977b

-

-

selenate

104.0

-

5.000

-

28-d EC₅₀, death and deformity

Birge, 1978; Birge and Black, 1977; Birge et al., 1980

-

-

selenite

-

-

0.044

-

increased mortality

Davis et al., 1988

Onchorhynchus tshawytscha (chinook salmon)

egg to 90 day

F, M, 1

selenate : selenite (6: 1 ratio)

612.0

pH = 7.8; Temp. = 12.0°C; Alkalinity = 215.0 mg/L

0.035

-

well-water (30, 60 and 90-d) (0.250, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 ratio,1= 1.4 B, 0.049 Mo, and 0.035 Se) conc. of Se in salmon were correlated with reduced survival and growth of fish in well water

Hamilton and Wiedmeyer, 1990

0.3 g

F, M, 1

Se as (6: 1 of Na₂Se0₄/ Na₂Se0₃)

371.0

pH = 7.8; Temp. = 12.0°C; Alkalinity = 215.0 mg/L

0.035

-

freshwater (30, 60 and 90-d) (0.250, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 ratio,1= 1.4 B, 0.049 Mo, and 0.035 Se) whole-body conc. of Se increased with increasing exposure conc.; reduced survival in a 15-d seawater challenge test

-

-

-

-

-

3.200-5.300

-

30-d, measurable changes in length and/or weight of test organism

Hamilton et al., 1990

swim-up larvae

F, M, 1

selenomethionine

210.0

pH = 7.7; Temp. = 13.7°C; Alkalinity = 109 mg/L

-

in diet 3.200-35.400 ug Se/g wet wt (mosquito-fish from San Luis Drain or fortified with selenomethionine)

90 d freshwater study, survival was reduced in fish fed = 9.6 of either diet; reduced growth in fish fed = 5.300 of SLD diet = 18.200 fortified diet; reducedgrowth, whole-body concs. and survival, strongly correlated to concs. of Se in both diets

fingerlings 70 mm

F, M, 1

selenomethionine

-

pH = 7.4 for first 30 days and 6.9 for rest; Temp. = 12.6 for first 30 days and 13.3°C for rest; Alkalinity = 109 mg/L

-

in diet 3.200-35.400 ug Se/g wet wt (mosquito-fish from San Luis Drain or fortified with selenomethionine)

120-d brackish water study, survival was unaffected but growth was reduced infish fed = 9.600 and 18.200 of SLD diet or 35.400 of selenomethionine diet. Survival was reduced in a 10-day seawater challenge test in fish fed 35.400 of either diet

fry

F, M, 1

-

371.0

Temp. = 12.0°C

0.017

-

30-d, significant mortality

Hamilton et al., 1986

Onchorhynchus tshawytscha (chinook salmon) (cont.)

-

-

-

-

-

-

in diet 26.000 ug Se/g (not stated whether wet or dry wt)

30-d, measurable changes in length and or weight of test organism

Hamilton et al., 1986 (cont.)

parr

F,M,1

-

74.0

Temp. = 10.0°C

-

in diet 13.000 (from Se contaminated organisms, 3% body weight per day feeding)

6-wk, reduced smolting success; in survivors, whole body = 2.9 ug Se/g wet wt, 13.4 dry wt

Perca flavescens (yellow perch)

-

-

selenite

10.2

-

4.800

-

10-d LC₅₀

Klaverkamp et al., 1983

Perca fluviatilis (European perch)

adult

F,M,1

-

-

-

5.600

-

in fish tissue LOAEC

Crane et al., 1992

Perca fluviatilis (European perch) (cont.)

-

-

-

300.0

pH = 7.9; Temp. = 15.0°C

0.025

-

10-12-d, change in % hatch or time to hatch

adult

F, M, 1

selenate / selenite (60:40 ratio)

-

pH = 7.5-11.0

0.025

-

513-d chronic study, mean wt 71.38 g, Se conc in muscle and gonad, 5.63 ug Se/g wet wt and 6.96. Almost a 50% mortality

-

-

-

-

-

0.025

-

529-543-d, change in male or female reprocuctive ability

Pimephales promelas (fathead minnows)

adult

F,M,1

25% seleno-L-methionine, 50%selenate and 25% selenite

139.4

pH = 8.19; D.O. = 8.48 mg/L; Temp. = 25.7 °C; Alkalinity = 247.4 mg/L

-

in diet 20.000 and 30.000 ug Se/g wet wt

105-d study, growth significantly inhibited; no effect on the reproductive parameters

Ogle and Knight, 1989

adult

F,M,1

25% seleno-L-methionine 50% selenate and 25% selenite

-

Temp. = 25°C

-

in diet 40.000 ug Se/g wet wt

in a range finding experiment, feeding and growth were reduced but no mortality attributed to starvationwas observed; at this and higher treatments, no spawning occurred

adult

F,M,1

25% seleno-L-methionine 50% selenate and 25% selenite

-

Temp. = 25°C

-

in diet 80.000 and 160.000 ug Se/g wet wt

in range finding experiment fish developed severe edema within 24 hrs and were not observed feeding during remainder of experiment

Pimephales promelas (fathead minnows) (cont.)

adult

F,M,1

25% seleno-L-methionine 50% selenate and 25% selenite

-

Temp. = 25°C

-

in diet 5.000-30.000 ug Se/g wet wt

14-98-d, measurable changes in length and or weight of test organism

Ogle and Knight, 1989 (cont.)

adult

F,M,1

25% seleno-L-methionine 50% selenate and 25% selenite

-

Temp. = 25°C

-

in diet 5.000-30.000 ug Se/g wet wt

98-d, change in male and/or female reproductive ability

adult

F,M,1

25% seleno-L-methionine 50% selenate and 25% selenite

-

Temp. = 25°C

-

in diet 20.000 ug Se/g wet wt

LOAEC, from day 56 on, observable differences in mean weight of fish was obvious

embryos

F, M,1

selenite

-

-

0.010

-

1-yr study, 24.6% edema compared to control of 0.9%; and 23.4% occurance of lordosis compared to 5.6% in control; larvae rather than egg development is affected by Se

Schultz and Hermanutz, 1990

-

-

selenite

-

-

4.500

-

5-d LC₅₀, mortality

Cardwell et al., 1976a

-

-

selenite

-

-

3.200

-

6-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

-

-

2.900

-

7-d LC₅₀, mortality

-

-

selenite

220.0

-

0.113

-

chronic effect-early life stage

Kimball Manuscript

-

-

selenite

220.0

-

0.420

-

8-d LC₅₀ (fed)

-

-

selenate

45.0-47.0

-

0.566

-

chronic effect-early life stage

Spehar, 1986

0.03 g (25-35 days old)

-

selenite

329.0

pH = 7.3; D.O. = 5.3-6.2 mg/L; Temp. = 25°C; Alkalinity = 332.o mg/L

0.600

-

14-d LC₅₀, mortality (fed)

Halter et al., 1980

2 days old

-

selenite

329.0

pH = 7.3; D.O. = 5.3-6.2 mg/L; Temp. = 25°C; Alkalinity = 332.o mg/L

10.000

-

17-d, change in ability to grow to a more mature life stage and in time between separate life stages

2 days old

-

selenite

329.0

pH = 7.3; D.O. = 5.3-6.2 mg/L; Temp. = 25°C; Alkalinity = 332.o mg/L

40.000

-

17-d, change in % hatch or time to hatch

Pimephales promelas (fathead minnows) (cont.)

-

F,M,1

-

-

-

0.010

-

1 yr (approx), malformations (extended operculums, pointed snouts, exaggerated mandible angles, humped backs, and missing scales

Hermanutz, 1992

-

F,M,1

-

-

-

0.030

-

1 yr (approx), high mortality; malformations: extended operculums, pointed snouts, exaggerated mandible angles, humped backs, and missing scales

adult

-

selenite

157.0

-

2.100

-

9-d LC₅₀

Cardwell et al., 1976a,b

larvae, adult

-

selenate

330.0-338.0

-

1.100-2.000

-

48-d LC₅₀

Adams, 1976

-

-

-

-

-

0.083-0.153

-

life cycle LC₅₀

USEPA, 1980

KEY

LC = Lethal Concentration

M = Measured

EC = Effective Concentration

N = Nominal

S = Static Test Method

NA = Not Available

F = Flowthrough Test Method

1 = Primary

2 = Secondary