the publisher. 

ngth including 

t non-research 

:dgements) 

;, punctuation, 

LE MANUAL 

3900 Wisconsin 

:e Management 

'ovide adequate 

ific names in the 

, first page with 

tions should be 

)f Forestry, The 

es and Wildlife, 

h Commission, 

of. 

10 words or three 

he introductory 

e. 

nder "Literature 

ansactions ofthe 

e parenthetically 

PROCEEDINGS
 

..­

OFTHE
 

THIRTY-SECOND~ANN

CONFERENCE ­


SOUTHEASTERN
 

III 

ASSOCIATION
 

OF
 

FISH AND WILDLIFE

AGENCIES.
 

NOVEMBER 5-8, 1978
 

HOT SPRINGS, VIRGINIA
 

OFFICERS
 

JAMES A. TIMMERMAN, President
 

South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources D

GEORGE WINT, Vice-President
 

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conserva

GARY MYERS, Secretary-Treasurer
 

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
 

MEMBER STATES
 

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisi

Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, P

South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West 

Editor: RALPH W. DIMMICK 

Associate Editor for Wildlife: JAY D. HAIR 

Associate Editor for Fisheries: JOHN GROVER 
28242 

scon L. VAN HORN, Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Com

Raleigh, NC 27611 

Ahslracr: Fish populations of Bel.ews Lake. North Carolina. declined during the p

operation of the Belews Creek Steam Station from 1974 through 1977. Reprodu

fish in the main lake was almost completely absent in /976 and 1977. A survey 

elements in water and fish from Belews Lake indicated that selenium concentratio

elevated in Belews Lake water, and that fish in the lake had accumulated 

amounts of selenium. Fish from a remote area of Belews Lake where 

reproduction took place in 1976 and 1977 had much lower selenium concentra

their tissues than fish from the main basin. Only trace elements of selenium 

naturally in water. soil. or mineral deposits in the Belews Lake drainage. S

tit _ entered Belews Lake in soluble form by way ofthe power plant fly ash sluice water 

, ... ! Selenium concentrations in Belews Lake water were not high enough to be direct

to fish. Uptake by plankton introduced selenium to the food c·hain where it ult

reached elevated levels in fish due to bioaccumulation. Selenium is known to i

with reproduction in animals. and is considered to be the most probable cause of

fish reproduction in Belews Lake. The North Carolna ,Department of Natural Re

and Community Development and Duke Power Company have taken action to 

,

..

Dr 

inputs of selenium	 to Belews Lake. 

Proc. Ann. Conf. S. E. Assoc. Fish & Wildl. Agencies 32: 6

The fish populations of Belews Lake were studied by the North Carolina 

Resources Commission Division of Inland Fisheries from 1971 through 197

continuation of that fisheries program. Duke Power Company initiated a study of 

populations of Belews Lake and their responses to its thermal regime in July 1976 

et al. 1978). The results of these studies indicated that fish standing crops in Bele

were extremely low by the fall of 1976, on the order of 25 kg! ha or less, and had d

during the period from 1973 through 1976. Reproduction of all species was norm

to 1975. but reproduction declined and all but disappeared in 1976. Rotenone s

conducted in September 1976 yielded almost no young-of-the-year fishes from 

Lake. 

Intensive sampling for larval fish in the spring and summer of 1977 detect

carp (C.l'prinus carpio) larvae in the main lake (Harrell et al. 1978). Con

investigation of an area separated from the main lake by 2 highway causeway

largely restrict exchange of water with the main lake to downstream flow (Stat

Fig. I) revealed that apparently normal fish populations persisted in those 

dominated by sunfishes (Lepomis spp.) and catfishes (/c/{/Iurus spp.). Larvae and 

of-the-year fishes were collected from Station 158 in the spring of 1977, indicat

reproduction was occurring in that area. 

These observations suggested that fish reproduction and possibly adult fish 

had been adversely affected by factors associated with the main basin of Belew

which were absent at Station 158. A number of possible causes for this situati

considered, including (I) unusually poor year class strength associated with unfa

environmental factors such as water level. temperature. etc.; (2) unbalanced pop

structure resulting in poor reproductive success; (3) mortality due to thermal e

certain areas; (4) losses due to impingement and entrainment; (5) adverse ef

diseases or parasites; and (6) mortality and reproductive failure due to ef

612 
~esollrces Commission, 

during the period of 

'7. Reproduction of 

7. A survey of trace 

:oncentrations were 

cumulated unusual 

Ike where normal 

n concentrations in 

of selenium occur 

jrainage. Selenium 

sluice water return. 

to be directly toxic 

where it ultimately 

known to interfere 

"Ie cause of red uced 

. Natural Resources 

en action to reduce 

encies 32: 612-624 

h Carolina Wildlife 

1rough 1976. As a 

:d a study of the fish 

nJuly 1976 (Harrell 

ops in Belews Lake 

;s, and had declined 

~s was normal prior 

Rotenone sampling 

fishes from Belews 

J977 detected on Iy 

1978). Concurrent 

y causeways which 

. flow (Station 158, 

d in those wa:ters, 

Larvae and young­

)77, indicating that 

( ad ult fish survival 

lin of Belews Lake 

this situation were 

d with unfavorable 

llanced popuJation 

) thermal effects in 

adverse effects of 

due to effects of 

j 

o 2 K

III'_1IIIi::::=:::j1 

Fig. I. Belews Lake. North Carolina. Solid circles represent fi

plankton sampling stations. Solid triangles represen

sampling coves. 

613 
collected samples and performed chemical analyses of water. The cooperation of J

Leathers and R. E. Green of the Belews Creek Steam Station is greatly appreciated. 

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission studies were partially supported by 

Project F-23-1, North Carolina. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Fish Population Study 

Eight coves in Belews Lake averaging 0.4 ha each were selected in /973 for roten

study of fish populations (Fig. I). A 90 m block net with a 1.3 cm bar mesh was use

isolate each cove. A gasoline-powered pump and perforated, weighted hose were use

deliver 5% emulsifiable rotenone to a final estimated concentration of 0.5 mgjl in 

water column. Fish were collected on the day of rotenone application and the follow

day. The fish were sorted by species into 2.5 cm size classes, counted, and weighed. 

.. coves were rotenoned each September from 1973 through 1976. 

... Elemental Analysis 

Fish specimens for elemental analysis were collected during 1976 and 1977 

electrofishing, gill-netting, rotenone, or hook-and-line. Tissues were stored froze

polyethylene containers for elemental analysis, and were handled with carbon stee

teflon-coated instruments. 

Special water samples were collected using Kemmerer or Van Dorn samp

bottles, filtered through 0.45 JLm membrane filters, and acidified with nitric acid. Cer

water chemistry data for the Belews Creek Steam Station were supplied by the D

Power Company Steam Production Department. 

Plankton were collected using a No. 18,80 JLm mesh net hauled vertically fro

depth of 10m to the surface. A sufficient number of separate hauls (5 to 10) were take

each location to insure that a representative plankton sample large enough for ana

was obtained. No attempt was made to separate zooplankton from phytoplankton. 

concentrated plankton suspensions were stored frozen in polyethylene containers. 

analysis, plankton were collected by filteration, dried at 60 C, and weighed on 

analytical balance. Plankton analyses are reported as JLg of element per gram (ppm)

weight basis. 

Elemental analysis was performed by neutron activation or by atomic absorp

spectrophotometry techniques. Neutron activation analysis of fis~ tissue and p.lan

was performed at the Nuclear Services Laboratory, North Carolina State Univer

Raleigh, by a non-destructive technique using appropriate internal standards and N

. reference materials for calibration. Certain specimens were analyzed at the Universi

California at San Diego by.the tluorometric technique (Olson 1969) or at the Caro

Power and Light Company Chemistry Laboratory, New Hill, North Carolina, by 

selenium hydride atomic absorption technique as checks on the neutron activa

method. Results offish analyses are reported as JLg of element per gram (ppm), wet we

basis. 

Water samples were generally analyzed for elemental content by graphite fur

atomic absorption techniques in the Duke Power Company Steam Production Dep

ment laboratories, using a Perkin-Elmer Model 306 spectrophotometer with the H

2100 graphite furnace atomizer. Chemicals used in the analyses were analytical rea

grade. Certain water analyses were also performed by neutron activation analys

North Carolina State University, or by the selenium hydride generation techniqu

Stewart Laboratories. Water analyses were reported as JLg element per liter (ppb)

614 
1 Dorn sampling 

litricacid. Certain 

'lied by the Duke 

976 and 1977 by 

: stored frozen in' 

:h carbon steel or 

graphite furnace 

Iduction DepartT with the HGA 

1alytical reagent 

:tion analysis at 

on technique at 

. liter (ppb). 

615 

. SteaStato, e eews CeeSteaStatos a coaed ee

station which consists of 2 units, each rated at 1140 megawatts. The fir

in service in August 1974. the second in December 1975. 

Belews Lake reached a full pond elevation of 221 m msl in 1973. I

of 1563 ha, a volume of 2.3 x 108 m), a maximum depth of approxim

mean depth of 15 m. The average retention time of the lake is approxi

Condenser cooling water is withdrawn from the main body of Bele

surface intake and is discharged to the West Belews Creek arm (Fig. I)

Creek arm is connected to the main lake below the confluence of Belew

Belews Creek by a canal. Intake water is also used to transport fly as

from the station to an ash basin. where the ash is collected by settling. 

ash basin enters the west side of Belews Lake through the ash sluice wa

Water quality data for Belews Lake have been collected regularly sin

(Weiss et al. 1974). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Fish Population Study 

A total of 29 species offish was collected in Belews Lake rotenone s

through 1976, A summary of the standing crop data for all species c

bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), green sunfish (L. cyanellus). largemo

lerus salmoides), flat bullhead (lclalurus plal.l'cephalus) and threadfin 

pelenense) is presented in Table I. The more noticeable features of the 

increase in numbers of fish per ha in 1975 followed by a sharp declin

numbers and weight per ha in the 1976 rotenone sample. The 1975 in

was caused by an introduction of threadfin shad and the presence of 

young-of-the-year for many of the non-shad species. In 1976 few shad 

numbers and weights of many non-shad populations had declined, a

class for most species was nearly absent. An increase in weight was m

species of fish in the 1976 sample: green sunfish, redear sunfish (L. 

bullhead, black bullhead (I. melas), and black crappie ( Pomoxis 

Redear sunfish accounted for less than 3% ofthe total sample by weight 

less than 1%. 

To illustrate the near absence of a 1976 year-class for fishes in 

Belews Lake, Table 2 presents young-of-the-year composition for blue

largemouth bass, and flat bull head populations recovered in rotenone 

through 1976. Young-of-the-year fish were defined to be those indiv

lengths were included in the following size ranges: bluegill. 0-64 mm; 

mm; largemouth bass, 0-114 mm; and flat bullhead, 0-89 mm. T

determined from length-frequency distributions constructed for each 

fish collected in the 1973 through 1975 rotenone samples. Age-grow

obtained by scale analysis was used to verify the young-of-the-year size 

and largemouth bass. No fish in the 0-64 mm size range were reco

rotenone sample for any of 9 centrarchid species collected. Only 8 black 

were recovered which were within the projected young-of-the-yea

number of threadfin shad taken in the rotenone samples dropped from 

in September 1975 to 24 individuals in September 1976, indicating f

threadfin shad year-class. Subsequent investigations by Duke Power 

and 1978 (Harrell et al. 1978) have indicated that diverse fish pop

1973 for rotenone 

. mesh was used 

hose were used [O, ...."'L~:':':;I

of 0.5 mg/ I in th.. , 3",:'. 

and the toIIO\\/;not. 

and weighed. 

y appreciated. The, 

supported by D-J 

tomic absorption 

sue and plankton 

State University, 

mdards and NBS 

the University of 

,r at the Carolina 

Carolina, by the 

'utron activation 

ppm). wet weight 

vertically from a 

) 10) were taken at 

ough for analysis 

ytoplankton. The 

e containers. For 

j weighed on an 

. gram (ppm), dry 
Towl l.elJOll/is /.1'1 JO111 i.1 \1i('/"(IIII1'1"1/.1 IclalllrllS 

rear (29 .l/wC'ie.l) 1/ /{/cr(Ich if/I.\' Clal/ellll.1 .llIIII /(I i ell'.1 I I10n'CI'IJIll/Ill.\' 

1973 113608 .14854 2857 11069 3447 0 

(7198) (.1502) (410) (277) (69) (0) 

1974 76948 28964 1920 6682 1276 <I 

(5297) (2941 ) (244) ( III) 6.1) ( I) 

1975 86680 26178 1102 4958 .1896 17180 

( 136.10) (4117) (253) (2.17) (344) (6264) 

1976 27099 73.10 3056 fl 7fl83 46 

(840) (301 ) ( 10.1) «I) ( 173) (7) 

Table 2.	 Young-of-the-year comrosition for 4 Belews Lake fish srecies collected in co

rotenone samples. Data are percentage of popUlation represented by young-o

the-year followed by number of young-of-the-year collected in the 3.2 

sampling. 

1.1'/1011/;'1 

real' I/ImnI( 1Iirll.1 

1973 52.0 

(5900) 

1974 7(>,] 

(fl704) 

1975 fl9.9 

(9322) 

197fl 0 

(0) 

/'i'/IOII/;'1 

(Tal/elll/.1 

52.2 

(fl95 ) 

f!3.X 

(504) 

X5.0 

(fl%) 

0 

(0) 

Mi( 'f(I/J/C'f/I.\' 

.l'lIllIlllii/l'.\' 

70.7 

(fl34) 

flO.4 

(218) 

92.3 

(710) 

0 

(0) 

IClallll"Us 

/IllI/\·cephalll.l· 

45.1
 

( 1(1)
 

76.3
 

( 155)
 

79.5
 

(88fl)
 

1.1
 

(6) 

Station 158. Fish at Station 158 exhibited apparently normal reproductive sucess duri

1977 and 1978, in marked contrast to the continued lack of reproduction in the main bo

of Belews Lake. 

Numerous environmental factors affect reproduction and strength of year-class 

fish populations. Year-class strength is highly variable and may show extreme year-t

year fluctuations (Heidinger 1975, Summerfelt 1975). However, complete absence o

year-class is highly unusual. A poor year-class may often be related to recognizab

chemical or physical factors which (a) interfered with su~cessful spawning of adult fis

(b) prevented successful hatching of eggs, or (c) caused excessive mortality of fish larv

after hatching. 

Environmental and operational data for Belews Lake and the Belews Creek Stea

Station were examined to identify any such factors. Although Belews Lake water leve

were low during 1976, extreme fluctuations which would interfere with nesting activitie

did not occur. Nesting and spawning activities were observed in the lake during the spri

of 1976 (Harrell et al. 1978). Entrainment of larvae or you ng fish could contribute 

losses, but would not be expected to cause 100% mortality in a year-class. Meteorologic

616 
­


)/"().\IJ/llu 

'/('lIl'lIse 

o 

(0) 

<I 

( I) 

ISO 

62(4) 

46 

(7) 

i in COVe 

ung-of3.2 ha 

/IS 

IlIlus 

,during 

in body 

class in 

lear-tolce of a 

nizable 

ult fish. 

1 larvae 

. Steam 

:1' levels 

;tivities 

: spring 

bute to 

llogical 

from Belews Lake. nor were accumulations of pesticides detected (Duke Pow

unpublished data). The patterns offish mortality and absence of young fish 

related to the distribution of heated water during power plant operation (H

1978). 

Water Chemistry 

I

•

The chemical environment in Belews Lake is described in Table J. Belew

is relatively low in alkalinity and nutrients and most chemical characte

comparable among stations. However. selenium and arsenic concentrations 

at main lake stations than at Station 158. Concentrations of selenium in s

displayed a seasonal variation with highest values recorded during the sum

stratified period. Dissolved selenium and arsenic entered Belews Lake i

effluent from the Belews Creek Steam Station. Selenium tended to remain 

probably as a mixture of SeOI-c and Se04-2. in the epili mnetic waters of the lak

spawning season. The limnological and chemical properties of selenium and 

been more completely described elsewhere (Ferguson and Gavis 1972. 

Cumbie 1978). 

Fish Elemental Analyses 

J Fish collected from Belews Lake in October and November 1976 were 

, trace elements and heavy metals by neutron activation analysis. Sixteen el

detected in composited fish skeletal muscle tissues. Concentrations of 15 of th

j

I 

(Sb. Br. Sc. Fe. Co. Cr. Mn. Cl. Na. K. V. Ti. As. Zn. and Hg) could not be ass

the observed condition offish populations in Belews Lake. The data of Table 

and Cr are typical of the results obtained for these elements. In contra

concentrations in these fish were elevated in main basin specimens compa

from Station 158 (Table 4). 

Table J.

, 

1 

Water quality data for Belews Lake. /976-1977. Values are annu

filtered surface water samples. except as indicated (Cumbie 1978. 

unpublished). Conductivity is in 'mhos/cm; hardness in mgll CaC

values are in mg/ I except As and Se which are in 'g! I. 

I.oe{/{ iOIl 111/ Co//{I l/a/"dl/l'.11 Ca JIg Na 

Main I.ake 7.5 113 38.1 16.7 3.2 11.4 1.4 3.9 4.4 

158 7 I 74 23.8 7.1 .~. I 6.0 2.1 :U 4.0 

''Se and 1\,; da ta arc 1'01' 1I nri IICled sa 111 rles. hit 1''1 I ion or selected sa mrlcs ind icated no 

or As ~o Ileentral io n 1'01' ri ltered and un Ii Ilercd 1'1 ke wa tel'. Detection Ii mits 1'01' Se und 

!.l g! I. respectively. 

617 
small numbers of fish which were collected from the main portion of Belews Lake in 1976
 

and 1977, no relationships between length or weight and selenium concentration could be 

established. Other investigators have also reported a lack of consistent relationships 

between tissue selenium concentration and size, sex, or species offish (Adams 1976, Pillay 

et al. 1974, Pakkala et aJ. 1972). However, consistently large differences existed between 

selenium concentrations of Station 158 fish and those from the main lake for all species 

and/ or similar size classes. Mean selenium concentrations in skeletal muscle offish from 

Station 158 fell in the range of 0.5 to 7 ppm (wet weight), while mean concentrations in 

fish from the main lake stations ranged from approximately 10 to 50 ppm. This pattern of 

selenium accumulation was closely associated with the observed patterns of population 

decline and reproductive failure of fish in Belews Lake. 

• Table 4. Selected elemental concentrations in comrosited fish skeletal muscle srecimens 

•	 

from Belews Lake, North Carolina, and from the Belews Creek Steam Station 

site rondo Analyses were performed by instrumental neutron activation 

I	

,

analysis, Nuclear Services Laboratory, N.C. State University, Raleigh. All con­ 

centrations arc rrm. wet weight. 

No. ill
 

~"pecies ( 'Oll1fJosile Slal;OIl Se	 As
 Fe Cr 

Lepoll1i,l' 2 158 1.55 <0.1 24.8 0.19 

lIliril us 

L.	 111 a('fOc!Iin/,1' 5 158 4,12 2.65 <10 0.09 

L.	 lI1i('fololl/ll/S 4 158 1.10 0.32 <10 0.14 

leI ailims sr r. 4 1904 11..\ 0..14 25.9 0.27 

l.epol1lil ,IPP~ 4 J904 22) <0:1 22.6 1.69 

Ielalurus srr. 2 1116 7,96 <0.1 26.7 0.2/ 

L /lIi/('/"ochiru.l' .I 1116 10.6 <0.1 27..1 0.05 

L. gulosus	 2 1116 19,2 <0.1 15.5 0.28 

L cl'lInellus 4 Pond 1.5.1 0.1 a a 

"not determ ined 

As a check of the analytical results obtained by the neutron activation technique, 

replicate specimens of fish skeletal muscle were analyzed by the fluorometric method 

(Olson 1969) and by the selenium hydride AA technique. The results indicated that 

neutron activation may give somewhat higher selenium values than the fluorometric 

method (Table 7). However, the 2 methods gave results which were consistent when the 

high and low selenium concentrations were compared. Results of the AA technique were 

in close agreement with those obtained by neutron activation. Analysis of NBS Standard 

Reference Material No. 1632 (coal) and NBS Research Material No. 50 (fish tissue) also 

indicated agreement of the neutron activation results with the reference values for 

selenium. 

618 I 
ein 1976 S/)('l'il'.1 S/(/Iillll Si:i

 J/{,il/l [Si

] S. n

could be
 

ionships
 I.e/w/llis Cl·al7e1/U.I 1904 3 Marcil 1977 9.62 5.H

'6, Pillay lt1a/uI'lI.I srr· 1904 10 o.SH 3 3

between C ClIrllill 1904 5 12.0 3.0

II species !c/(//Ufl/.l srr. 1904 o May IlJ77 7.77 2.2

'ish from !clalurus spp. 1110 S 0.32 5.7

ations in I.. gU/II.IIi.1 1904 3 JUIlC /977 9.64 4.0

L IlIa{'/'lIchiru.I 1904 2 9.HlJ 113 

attern of 

I.. /IIi/{'/'lIchirtl.1 1907 I 0.55 pulation L. 11/ icrolllll/III.1 1110.3 2 .lIS 7.1 

I. /llI/lilaIU.1 1904 3 20.1 4.1

IC/llllirlis srr. /904.1110 7 11.25 4.5

I.elwillis srr· .1.1110 3 SCrtClll hcr IlJ77 54.0 19.6 

leclmens !cra/urus srr. 3.1110 o Scrtclll hcr 1977 23.0 H.7

I Station C. carpill 3.1110 4 2lJ.33 10.4

:tivation L. IIiii1'!'och iru.I o 4 17.2 7.1

All con- I.. 1I1ierololl /1II1 o I 21.1 

I.. gUIII.lli.1 o 4 IlJ.o 5.0

Cr 

0.19 

0.09 

0.14 

0.27 

1.69 

0.21 

0.05 

0.28 

a 

lnique, 

nethod 

ed that 

)metric 

hen the 

Je were 

andard 

Ie) also 

Jes for 

Table 6. Selenium concentrations detected in Belews Lake Station 158 fis

September. 1977. Analysis as in Table 4, all concentrations ppm w

SamlJ/e 

Species Si;:e Dale Mean [Se] S.D. 

I.epomis auri/us 2 March 1977 4.31 2.38 

L. II/acrocllirus 2 3.40 1.50 

L gu/osus 8 3.90 0.64 

L c.l'ane/lus 6 2.11 0.43 

/cla/ul'lis spp. 10 0.57 0.36 <

C.I'prinu.\· CiJl'IJio 4 2.95 1.76 

L. macrochirus 12 Sept. 1977 6.98 3.78 

I.. gu/osus 12 6.71 1.96 3

L. 1:l'ane/lus 8 2.94 0.51 2

L. micr%IJ/llis 5 2.21 0.55 

Control specimens of green sunfish and bluegill were obtained from a po

Belews Creek Steam Station site and from Lake Norman, North Carolina. T

plant site pond is located behind an access roadbed leading to the Belews Cre

Station (Fig. I). It drains through a culvert from which the overflow falls appr

2.5 m through rip-rap to the lake. This pond supported a population of smal

which was physically isolated from Belews Lake. Skeletal muscle from 

contained between I and 4 ppm selenium. a range of concentrations similar to t

I 6i9 
Sample No. NAA FA NBS AA
 

Fish 977-19 23.9 ± 3.4 14.2 ± 0.5 

Fish 977-59 3.70 ± 0.56 2.58 ± 0.03 

SRM 1632 2.96 ± 0.33 2.9 ± 0.3 

RM 50 3.01 ±0.13 3.6 ± 0.4 

Fish 677-53 

Fish 1078-21 

12.3 ± 1.2 

2.20 ± 0.17 

11.9" 

2.3" 

"Single analysis. 

fish from Belews Lake Station 158. Lake Norman is a major impoundment On the 

Catawba River, located approximately 120 km southwest of Belews Lake, and contains 

healthy and diverse fish populations (Duke Power Company 1975). The Lake Norman 

specimens contained an average of 0.7 ppm selenium. These data indicated that selenium 

had been concentrated in Belews Lake fish to levels much higher than those found in fish 

from other nearby waters. 

A limited number offish in spawning condition were obtained from Belews Lake and 

from the power plant site pond during May and June 1977. Tissues from these fishes were 

analyzed for total selenium content to compare selenium accumulation in skeletal muscle 

to accumulation in reproductive organs. Female Lepomis spp. and Ictalurus sp. from 

both Belews Lake and the site pond exhibited 1.5- to 3-fold higher selenium concentrations in ovaries than in skeletal muscle of the same individuals (Table 8). This tendency 

appeared to be more pronounced in the sunfishes than in the catfishes. Only 2 ripe male. 

Lepomis were collected from Belews Lake; in both individuals the concentration of 

selenium in testis was slightly lower than that in skeletal muscle. This was in contrast to 

the consistent tendency for ovarian selenium concentrations to be higher than those in 

skeletal muscle. 

Although these data are limited, they indicate that selenium accumulates in gonadal 

tissue to an extent approximately equal to (males) or exceeding (females) that in skeletal 

muscle. This suggests that adverse effects on egg fertilization, embryonic development, or 

survival of newly hatched larvae might result where fish accumulate unusually high 

concentrations of selenium in their tissues. Selenium is known to interfere with 

reproduction in mammals and has been associated with adverse effects ~n t~e ~e~ale

reproductive system (EPA 1966b). Although the ovary does not contam SignIficant 

amounts of selenium under normal conditions, it will accumulate high concentrations· 

when unusual exposure occurs. This accumulation of selenium can prevent production of 

viable offspring. 

Selenium and arsenic concentrations in Belews Lake water are low compared to 

concentrations which are acutely toxic to fish (Cardwell et al. 1976, EPA 1976a, Niimi 

and LaHam 1975). Therefore, it was hypothesized that deleterious effects of selenium on 

Beiews Lake fish resulted from bioaccumulation through the food chain. As a measure of 

the possible movement of selenium into food chains in Belews Lake, plankton were 

analyzed for selenium and arsenic content. 

Selenium concentrations in plankton from the mainbasin of Belews Lake were much 

higher than those in plankton collected at Station 158 (Table 9). Station 158 plankton 

620 
AA .'It.' COl/cel/tratioll 

S/'l"'illl£'11 (

So. SIOlioll S/,£'/£'IO/ .\/lI.Ic/£' 0"011' ·/l'.IIi, 

1.,·/)Oll/i.1 gll/O.IIII I l'lO..l 12.n J..l.n 

1 120 .11.0 

I 1.9" 

2.3" I.. 1I/0CI'IJclrll'lil 

.I 

1'l07 

l'lO..l 

..l.2H 

17H 

1.'lJ 5.29 

1.\7 

15.2 

I.. (,olld/II.I B. C. Po ilL! I.'l..l J.I X 

4.Jn I H. 7 

I.H4 .1.00 

lOS 1.57 

nt on the IAJ 4.7.1 

Icontains 

. Norman 

selenium 

md in fish 

/<'Io/ur//.I II/do.1 

Illn 

.I 

Illn 

1'l04 

7 

2n.5 

.In.5 

IJ.H 

14...l 

15.J 

2X2 

20.7 

20.'l 

41.7 

22.S 

Lakeand 

shes were contained approximately 4 to 20 ppm selenium (dry weight), while plankton fro

al muscle 3 contained from 40 to 100 ppm selenium. On a wet weight basis (assumin

sp.. from weight of zooplankton is 5% of wet weight) these figures would be approximat

1 concen­ 3.0 ppm, respectively. In contrast, arsenic concentrations in plankton did 

tendency consistently between the 2 locations. The higher concentrations of selenium 

ripe male Station 158 plankton in November 1977 may have resulted from uplake mo

ration of surface water caused by strong winds observed at the time of collection, w

mtrast to transport plankton to Station 158 from areas immediately downlake. Althoug

1 those in are available for comparison, other investigators have found plankton to b

accumulators of selenium (Sand holm et al. 1973). Copeland and Ayers ( 1972) 

1 gonadal selenium concentration of 0.60 ppm (wet weight) for zooplankton from Lake 

n skeletal Several reports have indicated that long-term ingestion of as much 

Jment, or selenium (dry weight) in the diet of domestic livestock or fish will result i

ally high poisoning and associated disorders (Oldfield et al. 1974; J. P. Goettl

fere with communication). Fish in Belews Lake which fed on zooplankton or smal

le female apparently exposed to dietary selenium levels which equaled or exceeded th

19nificant tration. ntrations Available data indicate that selenium concentrations in fish muscle tis

uction of exceed I ppm (wet weight) in the absence of exposure to selenium from geolo

such as alkaline soils of the western United States. or from industri

Ipared to Investigations conducted in New York (Pakkala et al. 1972), central Canada (

Sa, Niimi Lake Erie (Adams 1976, Pillay et al. 1974), Michigan (Hesse and Evans 1972)

eniumon Lakes area (Copeland et al. 1973. Traversy et al. 1975, Uthe and Bligh 1971), U

easureof et al. 1972), and South Carolina (1. P. Giesy, Jr., personal communication) hav

ton were selenium concentrations in fish muscle ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 ppm (wet w

The exceptions to these observations are of interest. Cherry et al. (1976

ere much that mosquitofish (Gamhusia affinis) accumulated high concentrations of s

plankton muscle tissue, averaging 9 ppm (wet weight). in a drainage system which re

basin effluent containing 107 f../.gjl total selenium from a coal-fired power p

621
 
622 

Element Station March June July August NOl'

Se 3 41.3 ± 6.6 53.7 ± 22.6 97.0 ± 2.3 70.4 ± 2.0 42.8 

158 4.3 ± 0.9 16.5 ± 4.7 16.5 ± 1.8 21.1 ± 0.9 29.3 

As 3 3.1 ± 0.3 9.4 ± 1.7 7.7 ± 1.3 11.3 

158 2.3 ± 1.5 4.0 ± 3.5 5.4 ± 4.7 2.0

was no indication of an effect of this concentration of selenium or reproduction o

fish. However, no other species of fish were found in the drainage from whic

mosquitofish were collected, and mosquitofish are known to be highly resistant 

variety of pollutants (Cherry et a1. 1976). Mosquitofish were also present and reprodu

in the main basin of Belews Lake in 1977 (Harrell et al. (978).
 

Bussey et a1. (1976) reported mean selenium concentrations of 6 to 16 ppm 

weight) in muscle tissue of black crappie, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), and largem

bass in Lake Powell,. on the Colorado River in Arizona and Utah. These concentra

would correspond to a range of some 1.2 to 3 ppm (wet weight basis), assuming 

moisture content (Giesy and Wiener 1977). The elevated selenium levels in Lake P

fish were considered to result from accumulation of selenium from soils and sedime

the region through the food chain. No deleterious effects of these selenium co

trations, which are similar to those seen in Belews Lake fish from Station 158, 

reported. 

Barnhart (1957) studied Sweitzer Lake, Colorado, where poor survival of sto

game fish was a problem. Sweitzer Lake was constructed in 1954 in an area of alk

soils with high natural selenium content. Sweitzer Lake biota were found to contain 

concentrations of selenium. It was concluded ·that selenium accumulation throug

food chain, perhaps coupled with effects of other toxic elements (U, Zn, As)

responsible for the fish mortality observed in Sweitzer Lake. 

Selenium concentrations in Belews Lake fish appear to be sufficiently elevat

reduce long-term survival and reproduction. In Belews Lake there was a tendenc

selenium concentrations in the sunfishes (Lepomis spp.) to be higher than tho

bullheads (letalurus spp.) from the same areas. Among the sunfishes, warm

(Lepomis gulosus) and bluegill tended to have the highest selenium concentrations, 

those of green sunfish were lower. These trends were closely correlated with the obs

declirre of fish poplations in the main basin of Belews Lake. Sunfishes declined 

markedly, while catfishes persisted in the main lake. No such trend was noted at St

158. Certain species, such as the catfishes, carp, and mosquitofish may be inherentl

sensitive to selenium than the centrarchids.
 

CONCLUSIONS 

Investigation of fish reproductive failure in Belews Lake indicates that the inp

dissolved selenium from ash basin effluent, coupled with evaporation and retention 

in the lake, has resulted in concentration of selenium in Belews Lake water. Fish in B

Lake have accumulated unusual amounts of selenium in their tissues. Sele

accumulation, perhaps associated with other dissolved constituents which contribu

elevated conductivity, is considered to be the probable cause of reduced fish reprodu

in Belews Lake. The North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Comm
August N()\'emhe;' 

70.4 ± 2.0 42.8 ±9.5 

21.1 ±0.9 29.3 ± 1.7 

7.7 ± 1.3 11.3 ±4.0 

5.4 ± 4.7 2.0 + 1.2 

1m or reproduction of the 

drainage from which the 

) be highly resistant to a 

o present and reproducing 

n. 

ions of 6 to 16 ppm (dry 

vitreum), and largemouth 

tah. These concentrations 

ght basis), assuming 80% 

lium levels in Lake Powell 

rom soils and sediments in 

)f these selenium concenh from Station 158, were 

: poor survival of stocked 

954 in an area of alkaline 

Iv'ere found to contain high 

lccumulation through the 

ements (U, Zn, As), was 

be sufficiently elevated to 

there was a tendency for 

be higher than those in 

the sunfishes, warmouth 

Ii urn concentrations, while 

Helated with the observed 

. Sunfishes declined most 

:rend was noted at Station 

fish may be inherently less 

indicates that the input of 

)ration and retention time 

Lake water. Fish in Belews 

their tissues. Selenium 

:uents which contribute to 

reduced fish reproduction 

.esources and Community 

Adams, W. J. 1976. The toxicity and residue dynamics of se

invertebrates. Ph.D. Dissertation, Michigan State Unive

Barnhart, R. A. 1957. Chemical factors affecting the surviva

Colorado reservoir. M.S. Thesis, Colorado State Unive

Beal, A. R. 1974. A study of selenium levels in freshwater 

region. Can. Fish Mar. Servo Tech. Rep. Ser. No. CEN

Bussey, R. E., D. E. Kidd and L. D. Potter. 1976. The co

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bulletin No. 34. Nat. Sci. Found. - RANN, Washington

Cardwell, R. D., D. G. Foreman. T. R. Payne and D. J. Wilb

selected toxicants to six species offish. EPA Ecol. Res

Cherry, D. S., R. K. Guthrie, J. H. Rodgers, J. Cairns, Jr. 

Responses of mosquitofish (Gamhusia aflinis) to ash e

Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 105:686-694. 

Copeland, R. A., and J. C. Ayers. 1972. Trace element distri

phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos of Lake Mich

calculations of concentration factors and build-up of rad

Environmental Research Group, Spec. Rep. No. I, Ann 

_________, R. J. Beathe and W. W. Prater. 19

tions. Environmental Research Group, Special Report N

139 pp. 

Cumbie, P. M. 1978. Belews Lake environmental study rep

accumulation. Duke Power Company Tech. Rep. Ser

Company, Charlotte, North Carolina. 64 pp. 

Duke Power Company. 1975. Marshall Steam Station 31

Power Company, Charlotte, North Carolina. 45 pp. 

Environmental Protection Agency. 1976a. Quality criteria for 

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ment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Resea

Carolina. 310 pp. 

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Res. 6: 1259-1274. 

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centrations in five freshwater fishes. Trans. Am. Fish. 

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community of Belews Lake, North Carolina. Duke Powe

No. 78-07. Duke Power Company, Charlotte, North C

Heidinger, R. C. 1975. Life history and biology ofthe largemo

Clepper, ed. Black bass biology and management. 

Washington, D.C. 

Hesse, J. L., and E. D. Evans. 1972. Heavy metals in surface 

in Michigan. Mich. Water Resources Comm., Dept. N

Lakin, H. W. 1973. Selenium in our environment. Pages 96-1 I 

elements in the environment. Advances in Chemistry S

Soc., Washington, D.C. 

I 
Selenium. Pages 5763 in National Academy of Sciences, U.S. Geochemistry and 

the environment. Vol. I. The relation ofselected trace elements to health and disease. 

Nat. Acad. of Sci., U.S., Washington, D.C. 

Olson, O. E. 1969. Fluorometric analysis of selenium in plants. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. 

Chem. 52:627-634. 

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survey of the selenium content offish from 49 New York State waters. Pestic. Monit 

J. 6: 107-114. 

Pillay,	 K. K. S., C. C. Thomas, Jr., and C. M. Hyche. 1974. Neutron activation analysi 

of some of the biologically active trace elements in fish. J. Radioanal. Chem. 20:597 

606. 

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Proc. Utah Acad. Sci., Arts and Letters 49:23-26. 

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organisms. Limnol. Oceanog. 18:496-499. 

Summerfelt,	 R. C. 1975. Relationship between weather and year-class strength 0 

largemouth bass. Pages 166-174 in H. Clepper, ed. Black bass biology an

,

II

management. Sport Fishing Institute, Washington, D.C. 

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and selenium in the Great Lakes region. Sci. Rep. Ser. No. 58. Environment Canada 

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. 

624