Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
9 p.
Publication Date
4-2013
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Source Publication
Environmental Science & Technology
Source ISSN
0013-936X
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1021/es305001n
Abstract
An engineered aquatic ecosystem was specifically designed to bioremediate selenium (Se), occurring as oxidized inorganic selenate from hypersalinized agricultural drainage water while producing brine shrimp enriched in organic Se and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for use in value added nutraceutical food supplements. Selenate was successfully bioremediated by microalgal metabolism into organic Se (seleno-amino acids) and partially removed via gaseous volatile Se formation. Furthermore, filterfeeding brine shrimp that accumulated this organic Se were removed by net harvest. Thriving in this engineered pond system, brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana Kellogg) and brine fly (Ephydridae sp.) have major ecological relevance as important food sources for large populations of waterfowl, breeding, and migratory shore birds. This aquatic ecosystem was an ideal model for study because it mimics trophic interactions in a Se polluted wetland. Inorganic selenate in drainage water was metabolized differently in microalgae, bacteria, and diatoms where it was accumulated and reduced into various inorganic forms (selenite, selenide, or elemental Se) or partially incorporated into organic Se mainly as selenomethionine. Brine shrimp and brine fly larva then bioaccumulated Se from ingesting aquatic microorganisms and further metabolized Se predominately into organic Se forms. Importantly, adult brine flies, which hatched from aquatic larva, bioaccumulated the highest Se concentrations of all organisms tested.
Recommended Citation
Schmidt, Radomir; Tantoyotai, Prapakorn; Fakra, Sirine C.; Marcus, Matthew A.; Yang, Soo In; Pickering, Ingrid J.; Bañuelos, Gary S.; Hristova, Krassimira R.; and Freeman, John L., "Selenium Biotransformations in an Engineered Aquatic Ecosystem for Bioremediation of Agricultural Wastewater via Brine Shrimp Production" (2013). Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 137.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bio_fac/137
Comments
Accepted version. Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 47, No. 10 (April, 2013): 5057-5065. DOI. © 2013 American Chemical Society. Used with permission.