Selenium in the environment and human health

Authors: Banuelos, Gary; LIN, Z - Southern Illinois University; XUEBIN, YIN - University Of Science And Technology Of China

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2013
Publication Date: 11/1/2013
Citation: Banuelos, G.S., Lin, Z.Q., Xuebin, Y. 2013. Selenium in the environment. The Netherlands: CRC Press/Balkema. p. 234.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Although selenium was shown to affect biological systems over 80 years ago and was recognized as an essential micronutrient in the mid-20th century, the "flowering" of the selenium field has taken place in the 21st century. The biological function of selenium through selenoproteins has been firmly established and selenoproteomes have been characterized in many species. Scientists throughout the world are at work determining the function of selenoproteins and, thereby, advancing knowledge of physiology as well as uncovering disease mechanisms. The importance of selenium in the environment has been recognized. Many areas of the world are selenium deficient, requiring selenium supplementation programs for animals and humans. Other areas have high selenium bioavailability and produce agricultural products that are rich in the element. Selenium mobility and excessive accumulation in the environment, often anthropogenic, can lead to illness in animals and humans. Thus, managing its impact on the biological, physical and ecological environment is also of great importance for the selenium research community. To evaluate the many roles of selenium in today's complex world, the 3rd International Conference on Selenium in the Environment and Human Health will be held on 10-14 November 2013 in Hefei, China, and will provide an interactive platform for individual and multi-disciplinary selenium researchers to discuss many important topics in the selenium field. Some primary objectives of the conference are to share and evaluate the most recent research findings obtained worldwide and to relate various research areas of selenium to each other. These scientific papers have been reviewed and edited by Bañuelos et al. They cover a variety of selenium research fields- geology, biogeochemistry, selenium deficiency and toxicity, selenium pollution control and remediation, selenium interaction with pollutants, selenoproteins, selenium-related human and animal health, and development of selenium-enriched agricultural products to name a few. The cooperation among selenium researchers from around the world is also evident from the research papers to be published in this book.