Inam, Muhammad AliMuhammad AliInamUsman, MuhammadMuhammadUsmanIftikhar, RashidRashidIftikharVelizarov, SvetlozarSvetlozarVelizarovErnst, MathiasMathiasErnst2025-08-142025-08-142025-07-28Water 17 (15): 2241 (2025)https://hdl.handle.net/11420/56968The 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.en2073-4441202515Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institutehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Technology::624: Civil Engineering, Environmental EngineeringSocial Sciences::333: Economics of Land and Energy::333.7: Natural Resources, Energy and EnvironmentReview2025-08-13https://doi.org/10.15480/882.1577110.3390/w1715224110.15480/882.15771Other