SurfMin: Selenosis

NTIS Accession No: NTIS List Price:

Title of Report:

TOXICOLOGIC EVALUATION OF CHRONIC SELENOSIS IN WYOMING HERBIVORES (December

1996) 23pp.

Performing Organization Name and Address:

University of Wyoming

Type of Report: Final Report.

Abstract:

Much of western Great Plains, including large areas of Wyoming, is underlain by

selenium (Se) bearing shales. Where these shales are exposed to weathering, Se

may undergo chemical changes that are bioaccumulated in forage plants, which

ultimately poison grazing herbivores. A similar biogeochemical process is

theoretically possible when seleniferous materials associated with coal seams

are disturbed and then replaced during surface mining reclamation (Boon, 1989).

In keeping with the objective of returning reclaimed mine lands to livestock and

wildlife grazing we selected cattle and antelope as experimental models.

The potential uptake and concentrations of selenium by vegetation grown on

abandoned coal mine lands has been the focus of many restrictions governing the

reclamation of such sites. While there is little question that selenium is very

toxic, recent research suggest that much of what has been anecdotally attributed

to selenium in the past, is, in fact, due to other environmental factors.

Keywords:

Selenosis

Poisoning

Antelope

Cattle

Author(s):

M.F. Raisbeck, E.L. Belden, D.O'Toole, and J.W. Waggoner, University of Wyoming

NTIS Accession No: NTIS List Price:

Title of Report:

RE-EVALUATION OF SELENIUM TOXICITY IN GRAZING MAMMALS (June 1995) 6pp.

Performing Organization Name and Address:

Abandoned Coal Mine Lands Research Program

Type of Report: Final Report Update

Abstract:

The potential uptake and concentration of selenium by vegetation grown on

abandoned coal mine lands has been the focus of many restrictions governing the

reclamation of such sites. While there is little question that selenium is very

toxic, recent research suggests that much of what has been anecdotally

attributed to selenium in the past, is, in fact, due to other environmental

factors. This presentation will summarize research undertaken by the authors

during the last 6 years to more clearly define the effects of selenosis on

herbivores in Wyoming.

Keyword(s):

Selenosis

Poisoning

Antelope

Cattle

Author(s):

M.F. Raisbeck, D. O'Toole, D.A. Sanchez, R.L. Simieon, and J.W. Waggoner,

University of Wyoming.