Uptake from water, internal distribution and bioaccumulation of selenium in scenedesmus obliquus, unio mancus and rattus norvegicus : part A

The 75Se internal bioavailability was investigated in microalgae, mussels and rats as biological experimental models. The 75Se accumulation from freshwater to microalgae [Scenedesmus obliquus (Turpin) Kützing], from freshwater to mussels (Unio mancus Lamark) and, finally, per os to rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout) was followed using 75Se-labelled selenite looking at 75Se uptake, retention, intracellular distribution and binding with cellular biocomplexes. After exposure to 10, 50 and 500 μg Se L−1, the microalgae showed an inhibitory effect on population growth only at the highest concentration. Mussels exposed to 105 μg Se L−1 showed an accumulation of the element with time in all tissues. Intracellularly, Se was present in all subcellular fractions, especially in the cytosol. Rats were treated via oral administration with 5 μg Se rat−1. After 24 h, liver and kidney showed the highest Se concentration.