SELENIUM BIOACCUMULATION AND HAZARDS IN A FISH COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY COAL FLY-ASH EFFLUENT

Bioaccumulation of selenium (Se) in the fish community of Pigeon River /Pigeon Lake, which receives inputs of Se from a coal fly ash disposal facility, was studied to assess potential hazards of Se to fish, wild life, and humans. Se concentrations in fish from sites receiving seepa ge and effluents from fly ash disposal ponds were significantly greate r than those in fish from upstream, where Se concentrations were near background concentrations. Se concentrations differed among fish speci es, and interspecific variation was greatest at the most contaminated locations, Differences in Se bioaccumulation among fish species were n ot consistently associated with differences in trophic status. Althoug h Se concentrations in northern pike were consistently less than those in likely prey species, large yellow perch contained Se concentration s as great as those in spottail shiners, their likely prey. Se bioaccu mulation may have been influenced by differences in habitat preference s, as limnetic species generally contained greater Se concentrations t han benthic species. Se concentrations in fish from the lower Pigeon R iver and Pigeon Lake did not exceed lowest observable adverse effect c oncentrations (LOAECs) for Se in tissues of fish species, but exceeded LOAECs for dietary Se exposure of sensitive species of birds and mamm als. Human consumption of moderate quantities of fish from the areas s tudied should not result in excessive Se intake. (C) 1996 Academic Pre ss, Inc.