Impact of selenium and other trace elements on the endangered adult razorback sucker.
A study was conducted with endangered the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) to determine if environmental exposure to selenium in flooded bottomland sites affected survival, growth, and egg-hatching success. Adults were stocked at three sites adjacent to the Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado, in July 1996: hatchery ponds at Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area (referred to here as Horsethief; the reference site), a diked tertiary channel at Adobe Creek, and North Pond at Walter Walker State Wildlife Area (WWSWA). Fish were collected in April 1997 and spawned. After two spawnings adults from the three sites were held at Horsethief for an 86-day selenium depuration period. Selenium concentrations at Horsethief were 1.4-3.0 microg/L in water, 0.8-0.9 microg/g in sediment, 4.5 microg/g in muscle plug, and 6.0 microg/g in eggs; at Adobe Creek, <0.7-4.5 microg/L in water, 1.2-2.5 microg/g in sediment, 16-20 microg/g in zooplankton, 9.6 microg/g in muscle plug, and 40 microg/g in eggs; and at North Pond, 3.2-17 microg/L in water, 16-94 microg/g in sediment, 32-48 microg/g in zooplankton, 14 microg/g in muscle plug, and 55 microg/g in eggs. During the depuration period, when adults from Adobe Creek and North Pond were held at Horsethief, the fish lost 7%-13% of their selenium burden in 59 days and 14%-21% in 86 days. Larvae from North Pond adults had the most deformities, followed by Adobe Creek adults, with the fewest deformities found in the Horsethief adults.
U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Field Research Station, 31247 436th Avenue, Yankton, SD 57078-6364, USA. steve_hamilton@usgs.gov
Steven J
SJ
Hamilton
Kathy M
KM
Holley
Kevin J
KJ
Buhl
Fern A
FA
Bullard
L Ken
LK
Weston
Susan F
SF
McDonald
D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003531:Cypriniformes / Q000254:growth & development*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D012643:Selenium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014131:Trace Elements; D014873:Water Pollutants; D012643:Selenium