Selenium Accumulation Associated With Fish Mortality And Reproductive Failure
Fish populations of Belews Lake, North Carolina, declined during the period of operation of the Belews Creek Steam Station from 1974 through 1977. Reproduction of fish in the main lake was almost completely absent in 1976 and 1977. A survey of trace elements in water and fish fro.m Belews Lake indicated that selenium concentrations were elevated in Belews Lake water, and that fish in the lake had accumulated unusual amounts of selenium. Fish from a remote area of Belews Lake where normal reproduction took place in 1976 and 1977 had much lower selenium concentrations in their tissues than...
