Effect of selenium on the growth of Lemna minor

The effect of selenium on the vegetative reproduction of cultured Lemna minor was investigated. Cultures were grown for 28 days at a temperature of 23 ± 3°C and under a constant (24 h) light cycle. Growth was monitored every seven days. The growth of L. minor was inhibited at high concentrations (>5mg/L [Se]), but stimulated at low concentrations (0.2—2mg/L [Se]). This stimulation of growth at low selenium concentrations has significant implications for the use of selenium enriched superphosphate fertilisers on selenium deficient pastures.     

Temporal and geographical variations of mercury and selenium in eggs of Larus michahellis and Larus audouinii from central Mediterranean islands

In this study, we determined mercury and selenium levels in abandoned unhatched eggs of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) and Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii) collected during 2004–2005 from the Tuscan archipelago and Sardinia (Italy). The different feeding habits of the two species probably determine the different uptakes of trace elements, as the study shows highly significant differences for selenium and mercury levels as well as shell thickness and Hg:Se molar ratio values. Audouin’s gulls nesting on the coasts of the Tuscan archipelago showed significantly higher selenium levels than did gulls from colonies from the islands around Sardinia. Comparisons with a similar investigation previously conducted in the same area suggested that mercury and selenium concentrations, although in line with reports in the literature, were significantly lower than levels encountered in gulls in the early 1980s. Mercury (mg/kg d.w.) dropped from 8.631 to 5.030 in Audouin’s gulls and from 2.509 to 0.828 in yellow-legged gulls. The regional decline in mercury levels following reduced use of the metal in industry and the probable food depletion effects linked to the overfishing of fish prey of these two gull species are discussed as hypotheses that could explain the decrease in mercury levels found in eggs.     

Interactive accumulation of mercury and selenium in the sea starAsterias rubens

Interactions between mercury and selenium accumulation and subcellular binding inAsterias rubens (L.), collected in 1987 from Lille Bælt at Middelfart, Funen, Denmark, were investigated in laboratory experiments. Sea stars exposed to 10µg Hg l^–1 for 30 d accumulated mercury in body wall, tube feet and stomach linearly with time at 1.2, 1.2 and 0.5µg Hg g^–1 dry wt d^–1, respectively. Mercury was accumulated in pyloric caeca and coelomic fluid initially at 1.4µg Hg g^–1 dry wt d^–1 and 9.4 ng Hg ml^–1 d^–1, respectively; after 10 d uptake rates decreased. Sea stars exposed to 75µg Se-SeO ₃ ^{- -} l^–1 accumulated selenium linearly with time over 30 d in the stomach, pyloric caeca, tube feet and body wall at 2.0, 1.2, 1.2 and 0.6µg Se g^–1 dry wt d^–1. Sea stars exposed to 75µg Se-SeO ₄ ^{- -} l^–1 maintained selenium levels in the coelomic fluid at 75µg Se l^–1 over 30 d. Exposure to selenate did not alter the selenium concentrations in the tissues. Sea stars exposed concurrently to 75µg Se-SeO ₃ ^{- -} and 10µg Hg l^–1 accumulated more mercury and selenium in tube feet and body wall than did sea stars exposed to the two elements alone. In pyloric caeca and stomach concurrent exposure reduced accumulation of both elements. Mercury was bound predominantly in the insoluble fraction of the tissues, and soluble mercury was bound in proteins of high (> 70 kilodaltons) or very low (< 6000 daltons) molecular weight. Ca. half of the selenium recovered was bound in the insoluble fraction, and soluble selenium was bound in proteins of high (> 70 kilodaltons) or very low (< 6000 daltons) molecular weight. Interaction between the two elements was exerted predominantly in the insoluble fraction of the tissues.     

Effect of selenium on mercury methylation in facultative lake sediments

The effect of selenium (Na₂SeO₃) on the methylation of mercury (HgCl₂) in facultative sediment was studied. The results showed that small amount of selenium (0.25 μg/g) added to the sediment could significantly reduce the net methylation rate of mercury. The more the selenium was added, the higher the inhibition effect was. These results made the addition of selenium to the aquatic systems more practical and safe as a way to alleviate mercury accumulation in fish. Additionally, higher temperature was favorable to the net methylation of mercury, and high concentration of methylmercury emerged earlier.     

Influence of environmental factors on selenium flux in two marine invertebrates

The influence of certain environmental factors on the flux of selenium through marine biota has been studied, using Mytilus galloprovincialis and Lysmata seticaudata as test organisms of commercial interest. Over a selenium concentration range in sea water spanning 3 orders of magnitude, bioaccumulation of selenium by mussels was strongly dependent upon the ambient selenium concentration in sea water. Mussels accumulated Se (+4) to a much greater extent than Se (+6) and bioaccumulation was dependent upon temperature and mussel size. The presence of varying amounts of mercury did not significantly alter selenium uptake kinetics in mussels. Shrimp accumulated selenium to a lesser degree than mussels, the difference in concentration factors being due to the large amount of sorbed isotope lost with shrimp molts. Once incorporated, selenium was lost more rapidly from shrimp than from mussels. Temperature influenced selenium loss from mussels but did not alter the elimination rate in shrimp. Neither the chemical form of selenium nor mercury concentration in the organism affected loss of selenium from mussels. Elimination of selenium from shrimp was dependent upon the route of uptake; more rapid loss was noted from individuals which had absorbed the isotope directly from water than from those which had accumulated selenium via the food chain. In general, long-term selenium turnover rates were quite similar for both species; biological half-times ranged from 58 to 60 days for shrimp and 63 to 81 days for mussels. In the case of mussels, turnover rates measured in animals maintained in the laboratory differed somewhat from those determined from individuals held in field enclosures. Observed variations in flux rate may have been due to differences in food availability in the two experimental systems.Based on a communication given at the International Symposium on Interaction Between Water and Living Matter, Odessa, USSR, 6–10 October, 1975.     

汞、硒暴露对紫贻贝(Mytilus edulis)抗氧化酶系统的影响

为了研究重金属汞及微量元素硒对海洋贝类的毒性效应,揭示汞、硒在生物体内的相互作用机制,用汞和硒对指示生物紫贻贝(Mytilus edulis)进行单一及联合亚慢性暴露实验。设置对照组(0μg·L-1)、汞暴露组(25μg·L-1Hg2+)、硒暴露组(4μg·L-1Se4+)以及硒汞联合暴露组(25μg·L-1Hg2++4μg·L-1Se4+)4个实验组,并分别在暴露期间的第0、2、4和6天定时采集样本,测定紫贻贝鳃SOD、GPx及CAT3种抗氧化酶活性。将实验数据进行ANOVA分析处理后,结果表明:与对照组相比,汞暴露组SOD和GPx均呈现先显著升高(p<0.05或p<0.01)后降低(p<0.01或p<0.001)的趋势,CAT则从第4天开始显著降低(p<0.05);硒暴露组中SOD活性始终高于对照组(p<0.001),GPx活性在第2天也显著升高(p<0.001),CAT活性始终与对照组相近;硒汞联合作用与汞暴露组相比,SOD、GPx和CAT活性在不同时间点均有显著升高(p<0.05),而与硒暴露组相比,3种酶活性均低于硒单独暴露的水平。说明汞在短期能够诱导抗氧化酶活性,随着暴露时间的延长,则表现出明显的抑制作用;微量硒能够增强抗氧化酶系统活性,对汞导致的氧化损伤具有拮抗作用。     

The selenium status of sheep in Britain as indicated by wool selenium concentration

A correlation between the selenium concentration in wool and blood erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity (GSHPx) from sheep in W. Derbyshire, a high selenium area and N. Wales and Romney Marsh, low/marginal selenium areas is reported.Soil and herbage selenium concentrations were significantly correlated with wool selenium levels and GSHPx activity.A significant difference was found between wool selenium concentrations and between GSHPx activities from sheep in W. Derbyshire and those animals sampled in N. Wales and Romney Marsh. 90% of wool samples from the low/marginal areas gave concentrations below 0.125 g Se/g. 6.125 g Se/g wool is suggested as a threshold value for selenium in wool from sheep grazing low/marginal areas.Seasonal peaks in wool selenium concentrations and GSHPx activities are found in March and June respectively. Supplementary feeds, which contain added selenium, given to livestock during the winter season may be responsible for these seasonal differences.GSHPx activity data reported in this study records higher sheep selenium levels than those reported in the 1979 survey by Andersonet al. This increase is attributed to the addition since 1979 of selenium to feeds and drenches.Wool is proposed as an accurate and less costly measure of sheep selenium status.     

Effects of selenium on activity of glutathione peroxidase and expression of selenium metabolism-related genes in Brassica

Inorganic selenium (Se) is absorbed and enriched by plants and converted into a stable and nutritionally important organic form, which subsequently when consumed by humans or animals results in increased Se tissue levels. Brassica is one of the most potent Se-enriched plants. The aim of this study was to compare differences in Se enrichment between two predominant Brassica plants namely Brassica rapa Linn L. and Brassica tumida Tsenet Lee L. on Se metabolic parameters. Plants exposed to soil Se levels (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5 or 5?mg/kg) were examined on the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Se levels and expression of Se metabolism related genes using soil pots. Data showed that activities of GSH-Px in leaf and root of the two Brassica species were significantly increased in the presence of Se at 2.5?mg/kg. Se concentrations of leaf, stem and root in B. tumida Tsenet Lee L. and B. rapa Linn L. rose from 0.31 to 21.84-fold (leaf), 1.15 to 15.16-fold (stem) and 2.11 to 15.26-fold (root) in the presence of metal in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest expression levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ATP sulfurylase (APS), selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT), serine acetyltransferase (SAT), cysteine desulfurase (CysD) and S-adenosyl-l-Met:l-Met S-methyltransferase (MMT) in leaf of B. rapa Linn L. were found at 1?mg/kg Se. The highest expression levels of ATP, APS, SMT, SAT, CysD and MMT in leaf of B. tumida Tsenet Lee L. were observed at 2.5?mg/kg Se. The Se concentrations in leaf, stem and root of B. rapa Linn L. were higher than in B. tumida Tsenet Lee L. under the same soil Se level conditions. At the same Se level, differences in the expression of Se-related genes were observed between these two Brassica species. Our observations may be used to optimize the utilization of Brassica as a nutritional source of Se by growing this plant under certain soil conditions.     

Humic substances. Part II†: Photophysical,photochemical and free radical characteristics

The effects of mercury (HgCl₂) on cell population, chlorophyll a concentration and rates of photosynthesis and excretion were investigated in the phytoplanktonic species Dunaliella minuta in laboratory cultures. Mercury, above 25ppb inhibited both cell population and chlorophyll a concentration approximately to the same extent, whereas the photosynthetic rate was inhibited to a significantly lesser degree. Although, the total photosynthetic rate of the tested organism was reduced, above a threshold concentration, the photosynthetic activity was not reduced under these conditions, but it was in fact significantly greater than that in the control culture. This may suggest that in D. minuta the inhibitory effect of mercury is primarily on cell division rather than cellular photosynthesis, which is enhanced by the fact mercury caused a significant increase of the mean cell volume. Mercury, also, decreased the growth rate and final cell yield. The excretory rate was markedly increased at concentrations ≥ 250 ppb of mercury, but at lower concentrations it tended to depend more on the physiological state of cells than on mercury concentration. In the different cultures, the photosynthetic activity showed variations which occurred without major changes in the chlorophyll a content per cell, which remained almost constant and independent of variations in cell size and growth conditions.     

Assessment of individual and combined toxicities of three heavy metals (Cu,Cd and Hg) by using Tigriopus fulvus

The toxicities of copper, cadmium, and mercury ions and their binary and ternary mixtures were studied using the copepods Tigriopus fulvus. The LC50 values measured after 48 h exposure to single metal solutions revealed a toxicities rank as follows: CdT. fulvus. The combined effect of the metals was found to be antagonistic for Cu?Cd, Hg?Cd, and Cu?Cd?Hg, additive for Hg?Cu.     

Combined effect of the chlorides of mercury and copper in sea water on the euryhaline amphipod Gammarus duebeni

The possible interactive effect of the chlorides of copper and mercury on the euryhaline amphipod Gammarus duebeni in 100% sea water was examined using the following indices: (i) 96 h LC50 values, (ii) urine production rates and (iii) degree of mercury accumulation. Both (a) the interaction of the chlorides of mercury and copper together in solution and (b) the influence of cupric chloride pre-treatment of individuals prior to exposure to mercuric chloride were investigated. Presence of a sublethal level of cupric chloride protected G. duebeni against the toxic action of mercuric chloride. Cupric chloride pretreatment was not so effective. The nature of the interaction between mercury and copper is discussed.     

The effects of KI/Se(VI) molar ratio and initial concentration of Se(VI) on the reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) by KI

In this study, potassium iodide (KI) was found to be capable of reducing selenium(VI) to selenium(IV). When KI was added to Se(VI) solution, the Se(VI) concentration rapidly decreased with an increase in the KI/Se(VI) molar ratio. By using the potential-pH equilibrium diagram for the selenium/water system, we confirmed that Se(VI) reduced to Se(IV) because the potential of the solution shifted to the stable Se(IV) region upon the addition of KI. This reduction accompanies the oxidation of I⁻ to I₃⁻. The reduction of Se(VI) by KI was found to be effective for concentrated Se(VI) solutions.     

Trace Metal Studies on the Starfish Asterias rubens L. From the Western Baltic Sea

In 1984, 115 samples of the starfish Asterias rubens L. collected in the south-eastern part of Cadet Trench (Mecklenburg Bay/Western Baltic Sea) were analyzed for their contents of a few major (calcium, magnesium) and trace elements (cadmium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, selenium and zinc). Distinct differences were found between starfish from different stations, and these are attributed to the composition of the sediments acting as a substrate for their prey (mussels, snails). Except for cadmium, the concentrations of the elements studied all correlated negatively with the diameter and weight of the starfish.

Parallel analyses of starfish arms and the central discs of the same animals showed that iron, zinc, copper and mercury levels were 16 to 30% higher, and selenium, manganese, magnesium, calcium and lead were 4 to 9% higher in the arms. Cadmium concentrations were 20% higher in the central discs than in the arms.

Stock estimations (about 52,000 tons fresh weight) show that starfish play a significant role in the benthic ecosystem of the western Baltic Sea. They can consume up to 200,000 tons of mussels and clams (Mytilus edulis, Macoma baltica) a year and may therefore represent a notable factor in the trace metal balance of the region.     

Effect of selenite and seleniferous fly-ash leachate on growth and viability of the marine amphipod Allorchestes compressa

Juveniles of the amphipod Allorchestes compressa Dana were exposed to sodium selenite and to seleniferous leachate from coal fly-ash. A maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) for selenite of >44<93 g Se l^-1 is indicated by the results for growth and viability. Leachate:sea water mixtures produced effects which were consistent with selenite toxicity but quantitatively less drastic than expected from the pure selenite work, perhaps because of sulphate antagonism. The results are compared with selenium toxicity data for other aquatic species, and high-light the difficulties of using application factors as the basis for water-quality criteria.     

Acute toxicity of mercury and selenium to Crassostrea gigas embryos and Cancer magister larvae

The possible modification of mercury toxicity by selenium in embryos of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas and the larvae of the crab Cancer magister was investigated. Mercury concentration eliciting abnormal development in 50% of the oyster embryos (EC₅₀) was 5.7 g l^-1 (48 h) and mortality in 50% of the crab larvae (LC₅₀) occurred with 6.6 g l^-1 (96 h). The 48 h EC₅₀ for selenium was greater than 10,000 g l^-1 for oyster embryos and the 96 h LC₅₀ for crab zoeae was 1040 g l^-1. The response from each species, when exposed to both toxicants, revealed, that a high level of selenium (5,000 g l^-1) increased mercury toxicity. Moderate selenium concentrations (10 to 1,000 g l^-1) tended to decrease mercury toxicity, although no statistical verification could be made. The order of administration of toxicants had no effect on the response of Crassostrea gigas embryos. Early developmental stages (8 h) of C. gigas embryos were most sensitive to dissolved Hg; toxicant administration 24 h after fertilization resulted in no apparent abnormalities in development.     

Selenium metabolism in the Marine phytoplankters Tetraselmis tetrathele and Dunaliella minuta

Radioactive selenite-75 has been used to investigate the metabolic transformation of inorganic selenium by the marine phytoplankters Tetraselmis tetrathele and Dunaliella minuta. The majority of radioselenium taken up from culture media during growth becomes associated with cellular protein. A small quantity of this protein-bound selenium can be volatilised by treatment with strong acid, suggesting the presence of hydrogen selenide. However, the principal fraction of selenium appears to be integrated into the primary protein structure. Enzymic hydrolysis of phytoplankton protein and subsequent chromatography of hydrolysates revealed the presence of seleno-analogues of the sulphur amino acids. Selenium amino acids were also detected in non-protein extracts.     

Heavy metal action on transintegumentary absorption of glycine in two annelid species

Absorption of ¹⁴C-glycine from ambient sea water across the body surface of the oligochaete Enchytraeus albidus Henle was, after 6 h preincubation, significantly reduced in the presence of 0.1 to 0.15 ppm mercury, 0.25 ppm copper, 1.5 ppm silver, and 2 ppm cadmium. Addition of heavy metal salts reduced maximum uptake rates (V _max ), without affecting transport constants (K _t ). Influx of ¹⁴C-glycine remained unchanged in the presence of up to 10 ppm aluminium, chromium, iron, lead, molybdenum, vanadium, and zinc. Effects of up to 150 ppm nickel, manganese, cobalt and selenium were negligible. Inhibition of glycine absorption by mercury and cadmium in the polychaete Nereis diversicolor Müller is almost identical with results presented for E. albidus. Transintegumentary solute absorption in soft-bodied marine invertebrates obviously represents a suitable biological function for studies on heavy metal toxicity. The close relationship between rates of heavy metal absorption, inhibition of transintegumentary glycine uptake, and acute toxicity is discussed.     

汞和硒对剑尾鱼Na+/K+-ATPase活性的影响

应用浸浴法研究汞(Hg)对剑尾鱼(XiphophorushelleriHeckel)鳃和肝脏Na /K ATPase活性的影响以及硒(Se)对机体Na /K ATPase汞中毒的保护作用.结果表明,Hg和Se对剑尾鱼96hLC50分别为0.84mg/L和6.64mg/L.Hg对剑尾鱼鳃和肝脏Na /K ATPase活性的影响相似,与对照组相比,处理d1时低浓度Hg组鳃和肝脏ATPase活性没有明显变化(P>0.05),但高浓度Hg组ATPase活性变化显著(P<0.05),至d3和d5时,酶活性均极显著下降(P<0.01),鱼鳃和肝脏酶活性分别下降32%和60%,表明Hg处理对鳃和肝脏Na /K ATPase活性具有抑制作用.单独加Se组鱼鳃和肝脏Na /K ATPase活性在d3和d5显著提高(P<0.01).Hg Se组与Hg组相比,酶活性有明显差异(P<0.05或P<0.01),Se对剑尾鱼Hg中毒具有保护作用.剑尾鱼鳃和肝细胞Na /K ATPase活性可作为对水环境汞污染效应环境风险评价(ERA)的有效生物学标记.表2参16     

Effects of the interactions between selenium and phosphorus on the growth and selenium accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa)

The solution culture, paddy soil culture and the simulation experiments in the laboratory were conducted to clarify the interactions between selenium and phosphorus, and its effects on the growth and selenium accumulation in rice. Results revealed that a suitable supply of selenium could promote rice growth and excessive selenium could injure rice plant, causing lower biomass, especially in the roots. The supply of selenite could enhance the selenium contents of rice shoots and roots in solution culture and in soil culture. The selenium concentrations in roots were much higher than those in shoots supplied with the same rates of selenium and phosphorus. The interaction between selenium and phosphorus was evident. When the phosphorus supply increased to meet the needs of plant growth, phosphorus could promote absorption and accumulation of selenium in the shoots. If the phosphorus supply was excessive, phosphorus could inhibit the accumulation of selenium in the shoots at the lower selenite level (2 micromol l(-1)), but could not at the higher selenite level (10 micromol l(-1)). With the supply of phosphate increased, the selenium concentrations in the roots decreased significantly at both selenite levels. The presence of phosphate could decrease Se sorption on the soil surface and increase the selenium concentration in the soil solution. The concentrations of selenium in shoots and roots supplied with 0.08 g kg(-1) phosphorus were lower than those with no phosphorus supplied. With the increase of phosphorus added to 0.4 g kg(-1), the selenium concentration in shoots and roots increased. The effect of phosphorus on the concentration was statistically significant at all three selenium levels.     

Bioaccumulation and toxic effects of copper on growth and oxygen consumption by the postlarvae of Penaeus indicus

The aim of this study was to assess the toxic impact of copper on postlarvae (PL) of the penaeid shrimp Penaeus indicus. Tolerance, growth, oxygen consumption and metal accumulation were investigated in these PL on exposure to copper. Tolerance studies were conducted for 96 h to assess the tolerance limits of P. indicus PL exposed to different concentrations of copper using static renewal bioassay tests. Using the Probit method, the regression equation was calculated as Y=0.4899+2.3562 X, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9707. The 96 h LC₅₀ was 0.8204 ppm. The effect of sublethal (one-fifth of 96 h LC₅₀) copper on PL for short- and long-term exposures revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the rate of oxygen consumption, metabolic rate, mean length, wet and dry weight of the exposed PL over their respective controls which can be attributed to a gradual and time-dependent accumulation of the metal, as noticed in the exposed PL through accumulation studies. Overall, the data suggest that on chronic exposure even sublethal concentrations of copper can reduce the metabolic rate and growth in P. indicus PL. This is perhaps the first attempt to use the wild P. indicus PL as a bioindicator of copper toxicity.