| Abstract | At very low concentrations selenium is an
essential micronutrient for humans, animals and some lower
plants including algae and bacteria, whereas Se is extremely
toxic at higher doses. Living organisms can be exposed to
high selenium concentrations from both natural and
anthropogenic sources. Climate is a major factor governing
the biogeochemistry of Se. Climate change can indeed
modify Se uptake by plants and the rhizosphere and the
volatilization of Se by plants. High precipitation rates and
low temperatures can reduce Se accumulation by plants. Sehyperaccumulator plants such as giant reed thus appear as a
means to regulate Se flow in ecosystems. Se-hyperaccumulator plants can indeed be used to clean Se-contaminated
agricultural soils and wastewaters and as a source of dietary
Se. Those plants are also converting mineral soil Se into
volatile organic Se that is released in the atmosphere. |