The green technology of selenium

Selenium toxicity is encountered in arid and semi-arid regions of the world with alkaline, seleniferous soils derived from marine sediments. Once present in soils and waters at high concentrations, Se is very complicated and highly expensive to remove with conventional physical and chemical techniques. Phytoremediation is a plant-based technology that is being considered for managing Se in central California soils. The technology involves the use of plants in conjunction with microbial activity associated with the plants to extract, accumulate, and volatilize Se. Once absorbed by plant roots, Se is translocated to the shoot where it may be harvested and removed from the site. Therefore, plant species used for phytoremediation of Se-laden soils may by plant uptake and volatilization minimize the Se load eventually entering agricultural effluent and the harvested crop can be carefully blended with animal forage and fed to animals in Se-deficient areas.