| Recently, a compensation strategy for coal mining in Alberta has raised concerns regarding Se contamination. Specifically, coal mining companies in the northeastern slopes region of Alberta intend to include end pit lakes as part of their reclamation strategy. These lakes are surface pit mines that are allowed to fill with water once mining is completed. Selenium (Se) concentrations in some of these lakes and at other downstream sites exceed water quality guidelines. Although adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from these Se-contaminated sites have accumulated elevated concentrations of Se in their tissues, they show no signs of Se toxicity.; To examine the possibility of impaired reproduction in rainbow trout and brook trout near coal mining activity, spawn from both species were collected downstream from coal mining activity as well as from reference sites. Eggs and milt were transported to the laboratory, fertilized and reared to the swim-up stage when they were preserved for evaluation of deformities.; To test for Se-induced oxidative stress in fish, the concentration of non-enzymatic antioxidants were measured in rainbow trout fed Se laden diets for 120 and 302 days. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
