Selenium and its compounds in aquatic plant Veronica anagallis-aquatica

Selenite (IV) and selenate (VI) uptake and accumulation capacity of Lemna minor L. from an aquatic medium

The uptake of sodium selenite (Se(IV)) and sodium selenate (Se(VI)) from aqueous medium by Lemna minor L. and the influence of different Se concentrations on its growth, morphological and ultrastructural characteristics were studied. L. minor was grown at different concentrations (1, 3, 5 and 10 mg L-1) of Se(IV) and Se(IV). The Se(IV) concentration in the plant tissue ranged between 77.7 (± 4.3) to 453 (± 0) mg kg-1 DW. The Se(VI) concentration in plant tissues ranged between 117 (± 11) to 417 (± 2) mg kg-1 DW. The highest bioconcentration factor for Se(VI) was 127 (± 7) at 3 mg/L, with a Se removal efficiency of 44%. For Se(IV), the highest bioconcentration factor was 77.7 (± 4.3) at 1 mg L-1, which had a Se removal efficiency of 23%. Growth of L. minor was suppressed at 10 mg L-1 Se in both forms. The addition of Se promoted the formation of starch granules in L. minor which occupied a chloroplast area of 74% for Se(IV) and 77% for Se(VI). The efficient uptake of both Se forms by L. minor indicates the potential application of this species for phytoremediation of Se laden wastewaters and its use as an alternative feedstock in biofuel production.

A critical review on selenium removal capacity from water using emerging non-conventional biosorbents

Anthropogenic-driven selenium (Se) contamination of natural waters has emerged as severe health and environmental concern. Lowering Se levels to safe limits of 40 μg-L-1 (recommended by WHO) presents a critical challenge for the scientific community, necessitating reliable and effective methods for Se removal. The primary obectives of this review are to evaluate the efficiency of different biosorbents in removing Se, understand the mechanism of adsorption, and identify the factors influencing the biosorption process. A comprehensive literature review is conducted to analyze various studies that have explored the use of modified biochars, iron oxides, and other non-conventional biosorbents for selenium removal. The assessed biosorbents include biomass, microalgae-based, alginate compounds, peats, chitosan, and biochar/modified biochar-based adsorbents. Quantitative data from the selected studies analyzed Se adsorption capacities of biosorbents, were collected considering pH, temperature, and environmental conditions, while highlighting advantages and limitations. The role of iron impregnation in enhancing the biosorption efficiency is investigated, and the mechanisms of Se adsorption on these biosorbents at different pH levels are discussed. A critical literature assessment reveals a robust understanding of the current state of Se biosorption and the effectiveness of non-conventional biosorbents for Se removal, providing crucial information for further research and practical applications in water treatment processes. By understanding the strengths and limitations of various biosorbents, this review is expected to scale-up targeted research on Se removal, promoting the development of innovative and cost-effective adsorbents, efficient and sustainable approaches for Se removal from water.

The toxicity of selenium and mercury in Suaeda salsa after 7-days exposure

Mercury is one of the major pollutants in the ocean, selenium causes toxicity beyond a certain limit, but there are few comparative toxic studies between them in halophytes. The study was to investigate the toxic effects of selenium (Se⁴⁺) and mercury (Hg²⁺) in halophyte Suaeda salsa at the level of genes, proteins and metabolites after exposure for 7 days. By integrating the results of proteomics and metabolomics, the pathway changed under different treatments were revealed. In Se⁴⁺-treated group, the changed 3 proteins and 10 metabolites participated in the process of substance metabolism (amino acid, pyrimidine), citrate cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, photosynthesis, energy, and protein biosynthesis. In Hg²⁺-treated group, the changed 10 proteins and 10 metabolites were related to photosynthesis, glycolysis, substance metabolism (cysteine and methionine, amino acid, pyrimidine), ATP synthesis and binding, tolerance, sugar-phosphatase activity, and citrate cycle. In Se⁴⁺+ Hg²⁺-treated group, the changed 5 proteins an 12 metabolites involved in stress defence, iron ion binding, mitochondrial respiratory chain, structural constituent of ribosome, citrate cycle, and amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, the separate and combined selenium and mercury both inhibited growth of S. salsa, enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase), and disturbed osmotic regulation through the genes of choline monoxygenase and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase. Our experiments also showed selenium could induce synergistic effects in S. salsa. In all, we successfully characterized the effects of selenium and mercury in plant which was helpful to evaluate the toxicity and interaction of marine pollutants.

Selenate and selenite uptake, accumulation and toxicity in Lemna minuta

The kinetics of Se uptake and toxicity to Lemna were studied over a period of 14 days of exposure to Se(IV) or Se(VI). The growth of Lemna stopped immediately after exposure to 5.0 mg/L of Se(IV) or Se(VI). The content of chlorophyll and phaeopigments of Lemna exposed to 5.0 mg/L of Se(IV) was two to three times less than in the control after 3 d exposure. Lemna took up Se rapidly within the first 3 d. The Se content in Lemna along with the exposure time fitted well the two-compartment and the hyperbolic model, which demonstrates that the mechanism of Se(IV) and Se(VI) uptake in Lemna is not only through passive diffusion, but also through other processes such as ion channel proteins or transporters. The kinetic bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were 231 and 42 for 0.5 mg/L Se(IV) and Se(VI) exposure, respectively. The uptake rate of Lemna reached 263 mg/kg/d and 28 mg/kg/d in the Se(IV) and Se(VI) treatments, respectively. This study showed that Se(IV) has a faster accumulation rate than Se(VI), but a higher toxicity, indicating Lemna could be a good candidate to remove Se(IV) from water, producing Se-enriched biomass which may eventually also be considered for use as Se-enriched feed supplement or fertilizer.

A comprehensive review on environmental transformation of selenium: recent advances and research perspectives

Selenium (Se) is an important micronutrient and essential trace element for both humans and animals, which exist in the environment ubiquitously. Selenium deficiency is an important issue worldwide, with various reported cases of its deficiency. Low selenium contents in some specific terrestrial environments have resulted in its deficiency in humans. However, high levels of selenium in the geochemical environment may have harmful influences and can cause a severe toxicity to living things. Due to its extremely narrow deficiency and toxicity limits, selenium is becoming a serious matter of discussion for the scientists who deals with selenium-related environmental and health issues. Based on available relevant literature, this review provides a comprehensive data about Se sources, levels, production and factors affecting selenium bioavailability/speciation in soil, characteristics of Se, biogeochemical cycling, deficiency and toxicity, and its environmental transformation to know the Se distribution in the environment. Further research should focus on thoroughly understanding the concentration, speciation, Se cycling in the environment and food chain to effectively utilize Se resources, remediate Se deficiency/toxicity, and evaluate the Se states and eco-effects on human health.

Does extensive agriculture influence the concentration of trace elements in the aquatic plant Veronica anagallis-aquatica?

The present study describes the influence of extensive agriculture on the concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Cd, Se, Pb and Zn in sediments and in the aquatic plant Veronica anagallis-aquatica. The investigation, spanning 4 years, was conducted on three watercourses in Slovenia (Pšata, Lipsenjščica and Žerovniščica) flowing through agricultural areas. The different sampling sites were chosen on the basis of the presence of different activities in these regions: dairy farming, stock raising and extensive agriculture. The concentrations of the selected elements in sediments and V. anagallis-aquatica were below the literature background values. The distribution of the selected elements among different plant parts (roots, stems and leaves) were also investigated. The majority of the studied elements, with the exception of Zn and Cu, were accumulated mainly in root tissues.