The beneficial and hazardous effects of selenium on the health of the soil-plant-human system: An overview

Summary

This 2021 overview synthesises evidence on selenium's beneficial and hazardous effects across the integrated soil-plant-human system. As a critical micronutrient essential for selenoprotein synthesis yet also a potential toxicant at elevated concentrations, selenium dynamics are complex; the authors examine bioavailability, speciation, and accumulation patterns to clarify mechanisms and inform safe agronomic and dietary targets. The review suggests that managing selenium exposure requires integrated understanding of soil chemistry, plant uptake, and human intake thresholds.

UK applicability

UK soils are generally selenium-deficient, particularly in regions with low-selenium parent materials, which has motivated biofortification efforts in wheat and other crops. This review's framework for balancing deficiency and toxicity risks is relevant to UK soil management and nutritional security policy, though the review does not focus on UK-specific conditions.

Key measures

Selenium concentration, speciation, bioavailability, and accumulation in soil and plant tissues; human health threshold levels; toxicity and deficiency endpoints

Outcomes reported

This overview synthesises evidence on selenium's dual role as an essential micronutrient and potential contaminant across soil, plant, and human health domains. The review examines bioaccumulation pathways, speciation effects, and health thresholds in the soil-plant-human continuum.

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