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An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium

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Do Two Wrongs Make a Right? Persistent Uncertainties Regarding Environmental Selenium-Mercury Interactions.

Jacqueline R Gerson¹, David M Walters², Collin A Eagles-Smith³

¹Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States.

Environmental Science & Technology

|July 8, 2020

Summary

Selenium (Se) may mitigate mercury (Hg) toxicity, but evidence is limited. More research is needed before revising fish advisories or using Se for ecosystem remediation.

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A Study of the Complexation of MercuryII with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

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Published on: January 8, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Toxicology
Ecotoxicology

Background:

Mercury (Hg) is a widespread pollutant impacting ecosystems and human health.
Elevated selenium (Se) is proposed to counteract Hg toxicity and contamination.
Se itself can pose toxicological risks to aquatic life.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the scientific evidence for Se's benefits in mitigating Hg contamination and toxicity.
To assess if Se reduces methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity in consumers.
To determine if environmental Se limits Hg bioaccumulation and methylmercury production.

Main Methods:

Comprehensive literature search on Se-Hg interactions.
Evaluation of evidence for three key assertions regarding Se's ameliorating effects.
Analysis of Se's role in Hg toxicity, bioaccumulation, and microbial methylation.

Main Results:

Limited or ambiguous scientific support was found for Se reducing MeHg toxicity.
Evidence is insufficient to confirm environmental Se reduces Hg bioaccumulation or biomagnification.
Uncertainty remains regarding Se's inhibition of Hg bioavailability and microbial methylation.

Conclusions:

Significant scientific uncertainties and knowledge gaps exist regarding Se's mediation of Hg.
More data is required to support revising fish consumption advisories based on Se:Hg ratios.
Further research is needed to validate Se amendments for remediating Hg-contaminated ecosystems.