Effects of Selenium on Mercury Bioaccumulation in a Terrestrial food Chain from an Abandoned Mercury Mining Region

Abstract

Few reports of the relationship exist between mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) from locations of severe Hg contamination in terrestrial environments. Here, we report the concentrations of Hg and Se as well as Se:Hg molar ratios in biotic samples collected from a region with a long history of Hg mining. Nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) were analyzed to confirm the trophic levels. Results showed that bird feathers at the top trophic level exhibited the highest Hg concentrations, while the lowest concentrations were found in herbivorous insects, demonstrating a significant biomagnification across the food chain. In contrast, herbivorous insects of different types (generalists vs. specialized rice pests) exhibited both the highest and the lowest concentrations of Se, indicating a lack of biomagnification. Indeed, Se was correlated positively with Hg when Se:Hg ratios were greater than one, suggesting Se:Hg molar ratios can be a controlling influence on Hg in terrestrial organisms.