Selenium Exposure in Juvenile and Adult Splittail

Non-Technical Summary: Selenium is a trace mineral needed in small amounts for good health, but exposure to much higher levels can result in neurological effects and brittle hair and deformed nails. Occupational inhalation exposure to selenium vapors may cause dizziness, fatigue, irritation of mucous membranes, and respiratory effects. This project examines the level of selenium on splittail fish in the San Francisco estuary. <P> Approach: Field study includes 1) organic chemical analysis, 2) fish aging and otolith geochemical fingerprinting using LA-ICPMS to assess migratory pattern of splittail, 3) integrate and correlate aging and otolith geochemical profiles to deleterious health effects and metal concentrations in liver and gonads of wild-caught splittail collected at 3 different sites and 4) write two reports. Laboratory evaluation of selenium exposure in juvenile and adult splittail includes 1) histopathological and selenium analyses of liver, muscle and gonad of juvenile splittail at week 1, 3, 7, 13 and 21 post 9 months dietary exposure to selenoyeast. 2) Preparation of splittail otolith for LA-ICPMS, 3) histopathological and selenium analyses of liver, muscle and gonad of adult splittail dietary exposed to selenoyeast, 4) determine otolith geochemical profiles in sub-adult splittail previously exposed to 8 concentrations of dietary selenium for 9 months and 5) writing 3 reports.