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Related Experiment Videos

Selenium in fly ash.

W H Gutenmann, C A Bache, W D Youngs

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |March 5, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Fly ash can contaminate soil and water with selenium, a toxic element. This selenium is absorbed by plants and animals, posing risks to ecosystems and potentially human health.

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    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Science
    • Toxicology
    • Agricultural Science

    Background:

    • Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, can contain high concentrations of selenium.
    • Selenium is an essential trace element but can be toxic at elevated levels.
    • Previous studies have indicated potential selenium contamination from fly ash, but comprehensive uptake studies in plants and animals are needed.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate selenium uptake and accumulation in plants and animals exposed to fly ash.
    • To determine the correlation between selenium concentration in fly ash and its absorption by plants.
    • To assess the extent of selenium contamination in ecosystems affected by fly ash disposal.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of selenium content in fly ash samples from various states.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Culturing of white sweet clover and mature vegetables on fly ash-amended soil.
  • Feeding studies with guinea pigs consuming seleniferous clover.
  • Analysis of selenium levels in various organisms from a fly ash-contaminated pond.
  • Chemical analysis of plant tissues, animal tissues, and environmental samples.

    • Main Results:

    • White sweet clover growing on fly ash beds contained high selenium concentrations (exceeding 200 ppm).
    • Guinea pigs fed this clover accumulated significant selenium in their tissues.
    • Vegetables grown on 10% fly ash-amended soil absorbed up to 1 ppm selenium.
    • Cabbage selenium uptake showed a strong positive correlation (r = .89) with fly ash selenium content.
    • Fly ash samples from 21 states had selenium levels ranging from 1.2 to 16.5 ppm.
    • A fly ash-contaminated pond exhibited markedly elevated selenium levels in water, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and fish/mammals.

    Conclusions:

    • Fly ash is a significant source of selenium contamination in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
    • Plants and animals readily absorb and accumulate selenium from fly ash-amended soils and contaminated waters.
    • The concentration of selenium in fly ash directly influences selenium uptake in plants.
    • The bioaccumulation of selenium in food chains poses potential risks to wildlife and ecosystem health.