Selenium Cycling Across Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Interfaces: A Critical Review

Nutrients

Lenny H.E. Winkel¹  Bas Vriens¹  Gerrad D. Jones²  Leila S. Schneider¹  Elizabeth Pilon-Smits³ 

[1] Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland; E-Mails:;Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, P.O. Box 611, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland; E-Mail:;Colorado State University, Biology Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: selenium;    environment;    plants;    soil;    atmosphere;    speciation;    biomethylation;    biofortification;    hyperaccumulation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu7064199

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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 addition, plants and microorganisms can biomethylate Se, which 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 knowledge on Se cycling with a specific focus on soil-plant-atmosphere interfaces. Sources, speciation and mobility of Se in soils and plants will be 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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.