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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316623
Title: Selenium cycling across soil-plant atmosphere interfaces: a critical review

Author
item WINKEL, L - Swiss Federal Institute Of Technology Zurich
item VRIENS, B - Institute For Biochemistry - Switzerland
item JONES, G - Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute Of Aquatic Science And Technology
item SCHNEIDER, L - Institute For Biochemistry - Switzerland
item PILON-SMITS, E - Colorado State University
item Banuelos, Gary

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2015
Publication Date: 5/29/2015
Citation: Winkel, L.H., Vriens, B., Jones, G.D., Schneider, L.S., Pilon-Smits, E., Banuelos, G.S. 2015. Selenium cycling across soil-plant atmosphere interfaces: a critical review. Nutrients. 7(6), 4199-4239. doi: 10.3390/nu7064199.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans and animals, which occurs ubiquitously in the environment. It is present in trace amounts in both organic and inorganic forms in marine and freshwater systems, soils, biomass, and in the atmosphere. Low Se levels in certain terrestrial environments have resulted in Se deficiency in humans, while elevated Se levels in waters and soils can be toxic and result in the death of aquatic wildlife and other animals. Human dietary Se intake is largely governed by Se concentrations in plants, which are controlled by root uptake of Se as a function of soil Se concentrations, speciation, and bioavailability. In contrast, biomethylation by plants and microorganisms can result in a loss of Se to the atmosphere. The mobilization of Se across soil-plant-atmosphere interfaces is thus of crucial importance for human Se status. This review gives an overview of current research on Se cycling with a specific focus on soil-plant-atmosphere interfaces. Sources, speciation, and mobility of Se in soils and plants is discussed as well as Se hyperaccumulation by plants, biofortification, and biomethylation. Future research on Se cycling in the environment is essential to minimize the adverse health effects associated with unsafe environmental Se levels.