title: Environmental selenium research: from microscopic processes to global understanding.
abstract: Selenium is a natural trace element that is of fundamental importance to human health. The extreme geographical variation in selenium concentrations in soils and food crops has resulted in significant health problems related to deficient or excess levels of selenium in the environment. To deal with these kinds of problems in the future it is essential to get a better understanding of the processes that control the global distribution of selenium. The recent development of analytical techniques and methods enables accurate selenium measurements of environmental concentrations, which will lead to a better understanding of biogeochemical processes. This improved understanding may enable us to predict the distribution of selenium in areas where this is currently unknown. These predictions are essential to prevent future Se health hazards in a world that is increasingly affected by human activities.
authors: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, P.O. Box 611, 8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland. lenny.winkel@eawag.ch
authors: Lenny H E
authors: LH
authors: Winkel
authors: C Annette
authors: CA
authors: Johnson
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Lenz
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Grundl
authors: Olivier X
authors: OX
authors: Leupin
authors: Manouchehr
authors: M
authors: Amini
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Charlet
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry; D004782:Environmental Health; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005504:Food Analysis; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles; D012643:Selenium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000172:deficiency; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014131:Trace Elements; D014867:Water; D012643:Selenium