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Environmental implications of excessive selenium: a review
1Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg 24061-0321, USA.
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES
|February 4, 1998
Summary
Selenium is an essential nutrient but can be toxic. Human activities like fossil fuel waste disposal and irrigation increase environmental selenium, harming wildlife and public health. Careful management is crucial to prevent adverse impacts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Selenium is a vital trace element with a narrow beneficial-to-toxic range.
- Human activities can elevate environmental selenium levels, posing risks.
- High selenium concentrations have been linked to wildlife poisoning and public health threats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the environmental hazards of excessive selenium.
- To demonstrate the bioaccumulation of selenium in aquatic ecosystems.
- To inform hazard assessment and water quality criteria development.
Main Methods:
- Review of research studies on selenium episodes.
- Analysis of environmental data on selenium concentrations and effects.
- Evaluation of selenium's impact on aquatic organisms and wildlife.
Main Results:
- Excessive selenium from human activities bioaccumulates in aquatic life.
- Even minor increases in waterborne selenium cause toxic effects like developmental deformities and reproductive failure.
- A substantial database illustrates the environmental risks of selenium.
Conclusions:
- Selenium presents a dual role as a nutrient and toxin, critical for animal and human health.
- Managing environmental selenium is essential for agriculture, fisheries, and wildlife protection.
- Utilizing existing data can prevent adverse impacts on natural resources and public health.