Procedure
119
TABLE 7.1. Selenium residues that signify the thresholds for reproductive effects in fish and aquatic birds. Concentrations and biological effects in the
Hydrological Unit (HU) are compared to diagnostic residues to determine if
modification of a water quality criterion is necessary. The measured concentrations and indicated changes are given as examples of how to appropriately
lower a criterion of 5 Ilg SelL, assuming that waterborne concentrations in the
HU are below or equal to 5 Ilg SelL. Consult Figure 7.1 and the text for guidance on raising criteria.
Appropriate
Type of
sample
Sediments
Food chaine
Fish
Whole-body
Muscle (fillets)
Liver
Eggs
Larvae/fry
Diagnostic
residue"b
(reference')
2-4 «1)
3-7 «2)
4-7 «3)
8-10 «3)
12-15 «8)
10-12 «3)
8-12 «3)
Measured
concentrationb
and toxic effect
1-5, no effect
3-8, embryo
mortality in
birds
6-9, no effect
5-10, no effect
4-7, no effect
6-17, terata
5-12, terata
change to a
criterion of
5 Ilg Se/Ld
None
Lower by 2.5 Ilg/L
(50% decrease)
None
None
None
Lower by 2.5 Ilg/L
(50%)
Lower by 1.5 Ilg/L
(25%)
Aquatic birds
Muscle
Liver
Eggs
Embryos
15-20 «3)
lO[J25 (<10)
3-6 «3)
10-15 «3)
7-19, no effect
23-32, terata
4-9, no effect
18-25, terata
None
Lower by 2.5 Ilg/L
(50%)
None
Lower by 4.0 Ilg/L
(75%)
'Residues that indicate ecosystem contamination is sufficient to cause reproductive
impairment of fish and aquatic birds (teratogenic deformity and/or mortality of
embryos and larvae/fry).
bAll values are in Ilg Se/g (parts-per-million) dry weight. Values for reference and
contaminated habitats were compiled from data given by Lemly (1985a, 1993b,
1997) (see also, Chapter 2), Ohlendorf et al. (1986a, 1986b, 1988), Hoffman et al.
(1988), Ohlendorf (1989), Skorupa and Ohlendorf (1991), and Skorupa et al. (1996).
'Concentrations typical for uncontaminated aquatic systems.
dLowering a criterion is indicated only if reproductive effects are present in combination with diagnostic residues.
eOrganisms commonly utilized as food by fish and wildlife, such as benthic
macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants and seeds, and forage fish.
Step 2
A simple procedure is followed to determine what the new criterion
should be. This technique is based on relationships between the de-
119
TABLE 7.1. Selenium residues that signify the thresholds for reproductive effects in fish and aquatic birds. Concentrations and biological effects in the
Hydrological Unit (HU) are compared to diagnostic residues to determine if
modification of a water quality criterion is necessary. The measured concentrations and indicated changes are given as examples of how to appropriately
lower a criterion of 5 Ilg SelL, assuming that waterborne concentrations in the
HU are below or equal to 5 Ilg SelL. Consult Figure 7.1 and the text for guidance on raising criteria.
Appropriate
Type of
sample
Sediments
Food chaine
Fish
Whole-body
Muscle (fillets)
Liver
Eggs
Larvae/fry
Diagnostic
residue"b
(reference')
2-4 «1)
3-7 «2)
4-7 «3)
8-10 «3)
12-15 «8)
10-12 «3)
8-12 «3)
Measured
concentrationb
and toxic effect
1-5, no effect
3-8, embryo
mortality in
birds
6-9, no effect
5-10, no effect
4-7, no effect
6-17, terata
5-12, terata
change to a
criterion of
5 Ilg Se/Ld
None
Lower by 2.5 Ilg/L
(50% decrease)
None
None
None
Lower by 2.5 Ilg/L
(50%)
Lower by 1.5 Ilg/L
(25%)
Aquatic birds
Muscle
Liver
Eggs
Embryos
15-20 «3)
lO[J25 (<10)
3-6 «3)
10-15 «3)
7-19, no effect
23-32, terata
4-9, no effect
18-25, terata
None
Lower by 2.5 Ilg/L
(50%)
None
Lower by 4.0 Ilg/L
(75%)
'Residues that indicate ecosystem contamination is sufficient to cause reproductive
impairment of fish and aquatic birds (teratogenic deformity and/or mortality of
embryos and larvae/fry).
bAll values are in Ilg Se/g (parts-per-million) dry weight. Values for reference and
contaminated habitats were compiled from data given by Lemly (1985a, 1993b,
1997) (see also, Chapter 2), Ohlendorf et al. (1986a, 1986b, 1988), Hoffman et al.
(1988), Ohlendorf (1989), Skorupa and Ohlendorf (1991), and Skorupa et al. (1996).
'Concentrations typical for uncontaminated aquatic systems.
dLowering a criterion is indicated only if reproductive effects are present in combination with diagnostic residues.
eOrganisms commonly utilized as food by fish and wildlife, such as benthic
macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants and seeds, and forage fish.
Step 2
A simple procedure is followed to determine what the new criterion
should be. This technique is based on relationships between the de-