EFFECTS OF SUBLETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SELENIUM ON METABOLISM AND FILTERING RATE OF DAPHNIA-PULEX

Selenium is a trace element which is receiving increased attention as an environmental pollutant because of its high concentration in coal and other fossil fuels. It is the least plentiful and most toxic of the essential trace elements with a very narrow margin of safety between required and toxic doses. Recent attempts to develop adequate water quality criteria for protection of freshwater aquatic life from toxic chemicals has been hampered by the lack of adequate data on sublethal effects. This paper reports on a study to evaluate the sublethal effects of selenium on Daphnia pulex oxygen consumption and filtering rate. Study materials, methods and results are discussed. Refs.