Accession Number:

ADA063803

Title:

Selenium in Aquatic Organisms from Seleniferous Habitats.

Descriptive Note:

Doctoral thesis,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OHIO

Personal Author(s):

• Birkner,John H.

Report Date:

1978-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

133.0

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to locate inland water habitats in Colorado and Wyoming that are influenced by selenium Se to varying degrees and compare them. Samples of water, sediment, flora, and fauna from these habitats were analyzed for Se using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Aquaria experiments with native fish using lake water and indigenous food sources were employed to study the route of Se uptake. Thrity sites were surveyed and mean levels up to 15.8 micrometer Se1 water were found. Correlation-regression analysis of organism Se level data from 18 of these sites revealed that those levels can be reliably predicted based on a knowledge of water and sediment levels of the element. The experiments with native fish revealed that their tissue levels were more strongly influenced by the level of Se in food than in water. Because of the strong correlations that were measured, it is apparent that several of the organisms studied can serve as reliable quantitative indicators of the extent to which Se has entered aquatic food chains.

Descriptors:

• *AQUATIC ORGANISMS
• *SELENIUM
• THESES
• SAMPLING
• TABLES(DATA)
• FOOD
• FISHES

Subject Categories:

• Biology
• Inorganic Chemistry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE