Work

The Silent Shift: Investigating Selenium Biovolatilization in Natural Environments

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Selenium (Se) is essential for human health. Organisms produce volatile Se through metabolism, which is an essential but hidden component of the Se geochemical cycle. Understanding this natural cycle is vital for sustainable development and ecosystem protection, thereby preserving planetary health and fostering harmonious coexistence between the environment and humanity. This review explores sampling methods and environmental behavior of volatile Se. It emphasizes the species and volatilization amounts of selenium in water, sediments, and soil. Furthermore, it highlights that future research should focus on agricultural fields and climate‐sensitive areas (such as wetlands, polar regions, alpine regions, and plateaus). Additionally, the review addresses the risks associated with Se volatilization under climate change. By summarizing current knowledge and identifying research gaps, this work offers suggestions for future research directions in Se biovolatilization and provides a foundation for developing strategies to regulate Se distribution in soil.

Source: Reviews of Geophysics

DOI: 10.1029/2024rg000856

Authors: Ruixuan Zhang, Xiaoping Wang, Yunqiao Zhou, Lei Chai, Jiamin Zeng, Li Xu