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Recent progress in Selenium remediation from aqueous systems: state-of-the-art technologies, challenges, and prospects
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.15771
Publikationstyp
Review
Date Issued
2025-07-28
Sprache
English
TORE-DOI
Journal
Volume
17
Issue
15
Article Number
2241
Citation
Water 17 (15): 2241 (2025)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
The contamination of drinking water sources with selenium (Se) oxyanions, including
selenite (Se(IV)) and selenate (Se(VI)), contains serious health hazards with an oral intake
exceeding 400 μg/day and therefore requires urgent attention. Various natural and anthropogenic
sources are responsible for high Se concentrations in aquatic environments. In
addition, the chemical behavior and speciation of selenium can vary noticeably depending
on the origin of the source water. The Se(VI) oxyanion is more soluble and therefore more
abundant in surface water. Se levels in contaminated waters often exceed 50 μg/L and may
reach several hundred μg/L, well above drinking water limits set by the World Health
Organization (40 μg/L) and Germany (10 μg/L), as well as typical industrial discharge
limits (5–10 μg/L). Overall, Se is difficult to remove using conventionally available physical,
chemical, and biological treatment technologies. The recent literature has therefore
highlighted promising advancements in Se removal using emerging technologies. These
include advanced physical separation methods such as membrane-based treatment systems
and engineered nanomaterials for selective Se decontamination. Additionally, other
integrated approaches incorporating photocatalysis coupled adsorption processes, and bioelectrochemical
systems have also demonstrated high efficiency in redox transformation
and capturing of Se from contaminated water bodies. These innovative strategies may offer
enhanced selectivity, removal, and recovery potential for Se-containing species. Here, a
current review outlines the sources, distribution, and chemical behavior of Se in natural
waters, along with its toxicity and associated health risks. It also provides a broad and
multi-perspective assessment of conventional as well as emerging physical, chemical, and
biological approaches for Se removal and/or recovery with further prospects for integrated
and sustainable strategies.
selenite (Se(IV)) and selenate (Se(VI)), contains serious health hazards with an oral intake
exceeding 400 μg/day and therefore requires urgent attention. Various natural and anthropogenic
sources are responsible for high Se concentrations in aquatic environments. In
addition, the chemical behavior and speciation of selenium can vary noticeably depending
on the origin of the source water. The Se(VI) oxyanion is more soluble and therefore more
abundant in surface water. Se levels in contaminated waters often exceed 50 μg/L and may
reach several hundred μg/L, well above drinking water limits set by the World Health
Organization (40 μg/L) and Germany (10 μg/L), as well as typical industrial discharge
limits (5–10 μg/L). Overall, Se is difficult to remove using conventionally available physical,
chemical, and biological treatment technologies. The recent literature has therefore
highlighted promising advancements in Se removal using emerging technologies. These
include advanced physical separation methods such as membrane-based treatment systems
and engineered nanomaterials for selective Se decontamination. Additionally, other
integrated approaches incorporating photocatalysis coupled adsorption processes, and bioelectrochemical
systems have also demonstrated high efficiency in redox transformation
and capturing of Se from contaminated water bodies. These innovative strategies may offer
enhanced selectivity, removal, and recovery potential for Se-containing species. Here, a
current review outlines the sources, distribution, and chemical behavior of Se in natural
waters, along with its toxicity and associated health risks. It also provides a broad and
multi-perspective assessment of conventional as well as emerging physical, chemical, and
biological approaches for Se removal and/or recovery with further prospects for integrated
and sustainable strategies.
DDC Class
624: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering
333.7: Natural Resources, Energy and Environment
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