Submitted to: Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 1998
Publication Date: N/A
Interpretive Summary: Selenium is a naturally-occurring element associated with shale-type soils in the western United States. Drainage effluent produced from such soils contains soluble salts, including Se. The Water Management Research Laboratory has proposed water and drainage management and phytoremediation as practical strategies for managing Se from entering effluent. Phytoremediation entails growing crops to extract Se from the soil, accumulate, volatilize, and reduce the Se concentrations in the soil. General information is presented from greenhouse and field studies where successful remediation of Se was demonstrated.
Technical Abstract:
Phytoremediation is an alternative strategy for managing selenium levels in the soil. Results are presented from greenhouse and field studies on reducing soil Se concentrations by growing selected plant species, e.g., Brassica juncea, Brassica napus, Hibiscus cannibinus, and Festuca arundinacea in crop rotation with agronomic crops. Under greenhouse conditions Se concentrations fell by nearly 50% and by 25% under field conditions when phytoremediation is employed. Salt and boron tolerance are in addition to Se accumulation essential characteristics, which are needed to be exhibited by the selected plant species for phytoremedation.
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