Selenium and its species in the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica

The ability of the widely distributed aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica to take up Se from water was studied. Nine locations in the Notranjska region (Slovenia) with different land use in the catchment were sampled for water and moss in the year 2010 in spring, summer and autumn. The concentrations of Se in water at all locations did not exceed 0.2 ng mL(-1). F. antipyretica took up Se in the range between 345 and 2250 ng g(-1). All results for Se are expressed on dry matter basis. The Se content varied depending on the location and season. The highest concentration (2250 ± 170 ng g(-1)) of Se was found in the Žerovniščica stream that flows through an agricultural area with dairy farming. The fraction of insoluble Se compounds in the residue after enzymatic hydrolysis using protease (XIV) was around 75%. Soluble Se compounds in the enzymatic extract of F. antipyretica were separated and measured using HPLC coupled to ICP-MS. Se(IV) and Se(VI) were found but no organic Se compounds were detected, even at the highest concentration.