Les nanoparticules exposent beaucoup de propriétés uniques en comparaison de la possession de matériels (matières) en gros (vrac) à leur haute surface au ratio de volume. Des nanoparticules de sélénium élémentaires exposent aussi les nouvelles propriétés qui sont exploitées dans la formation de cellules solaires, des redresseurs de semi-conducteur et le déplacement (déménagement) de mercure et le cuivre. Cependant, la synthèse chimique de nanoparticules de sélénium élémentaires est coûteuse, exige des équipements spécialisés et utilise des produits chimiques toxiques. D'autre part, la production biologique de nanoparticules de sélénium élémentaires (BioSeNPs) peut être un remplacement(remplaçant) vert pour les chimiquement produits. BioSeNPs sont produit par la réduction microbienne de sélénite et selenate. La source du sélénium oxyanions peut être le wastewaters, où la réduction microbienne est employée comme une technologie de remédiation pour le déplacement (déménagement) de sélénium (...) / Nanoparticles exhibit many unique properties as compared to the bulk materials owning to their high surface to volume ratio. Elemental selenium nanoparticles also exhibit novel properties that are exploited in formation of solar cells, semiconductor rectifiers and removal of mercury and copper. However, the chemical synthesis of elemental selenium nanoparticles is costly, requires specialized equipments and uses toxic chemicals. On the other hand, biological production of elemental selenium nanoparticles (BioSeNPs) can be a green replacement for the chemically produced ones.BioSeNPs are produced by microbial reduction of selenite and selenate. The source of the selenium oxyanions can be the wastewaters, where microbial reduction is employed as a remediation technology for the removal of selenium. The formed BioSeNPs are colloidal poly-disperse particles with negative surface charge and are present in the effluent of the microbial reactor. However, the properties of these BioSeNPs are not very well understood. This knowledge would help us to produce better quality selenium nanomaterials, exploit produced BioSeNPs in the wastewater treatment and control the fate of these BioSeNPs in the microbial reactors. The characterization of BioSeNPs revealed the presence of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the surface of BioSeNPs. The EPS was identified to control the surface charge and to some extent the shape of the BioSeNPs. It was also found that the microbial reduction at 55 and 65 °C can lead to the formation of selenium nanowires as compared to nanospheres when the reduction takes place at 30 °C. These selenium nanowires are present in trigonal crystalline structure and are colloidal suspension, unlike the chemically formed trigonal selenium nanorods. This colloidal nature is due to negative ζ-potential values owning to the presence of EPS on the surface of biogenic selenium nanowires. Since proteins are a major component present in the EPS, the presence of various proteins on the surface of BioSeNPs was determined. The interaction of the various amino acids with the BioSeNPs was also evaluated.The interaction of heavy metals and BioSeNPs was studied with a view of developing a technology where BioSeNPs present in the effluent of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor are mixed with heavy metals containing wastewater leading to removal of both BioSeNPs and heavy metals. It was found that Cu, Cd and Zn can be effectively adsorbed onto BioSeNPs. Cu was 4.7 times preferentially adsorbed onto BioSeNPs. The interaction of BioSeNPs with the heavy metals led to less negative ζ-potential of BioSeNPs loaded with heavy metals and thus better settling of BioSeNPs was achieved. The presence of BioSeNPs in the effluent of the microbial reactor treating selenium oxyanions containing wastewaters is undesirable due to higher total selenium concentrations. Thus, the attempts to capture of these BioSeNPs in the biomass/bioreactors were made. The activated sludge reactor system was investigated to aerobically reduce selenite to BioSeNPs and trap them in the activated sludge flocs. Around 80% of the fed selenium was trapped in the biomass. Sequential extraction revealed that the trapped selenium is BioSeNPs. The trapping of BioSeNPs in the sludge improved the settleability and hydrophilicity of the activated sludge flocs. When the UASB reactor were operated under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions, the total selenium concentration in the effluent under thermophilic conditions were lower than that of observed in mesophilic conditions suggesting better trapping of BioSeNPs.Keywords: Selenium, bioreduction, BioSeNPs, EPS, ζ-potential, heavy metals, activated sludge, UASB reactors, thermophilic

Le sélénium (Se) est un élément chalcogène avec un domaine de concentration étroit entre essentialité et toxicité. La toxicité est principalement liée à la spéciation chimique du Se qui évolue en fonction des conditions redox du milieu. Les formes oxyanioniques de Se, le sélénite (Se [IV], SeO32-) et le séléniate (Se [VI], SeO42-), sont solubles dans l'eau, biodisponibles et toxiques. En revanche, le sélénium élémentaire, Se(0), est insoluble et moins toxique. Néanmoins, les nanoparticules du Se(0) sont potentiellement dangereuses pour certains groupes des mollusques (comme les bivalves) et aussi pour les poissons. En outre, lorsque le Se(0) est rejeté dans les écosystèmes aquatiques, sa ré-oxydation jusqu'au sélénite et séléniate peut se produire. Le sélénium élémentaire d'origine biogénique Se(0) a été produit par la réduction de SeO42- dans des conditions anaérobies en utilisant un inoculum microbien mixte (boues granulaires) et par la réduction de SeO32- dans des conditions aérobies en utilisant une culture bactérienne pure (une nouvelle souche de Pseudomonas moraviensis identifiée et caractérisée pour la première fois dans cette thèse). Les deux types de Se(0) ont montré une forte stabilité colloïdale dans l'écart de pH variant de 2 à 12. La stabilité colloïdale est due à la charge négative (-15 mV à -30 mV) de la couche de biopolymère qui entoure Se(0) et à la taille nanométrique des particules de Se(0). La taille des particules de Se(0) produite par la boue anaérobie granulaire se situait entre 50 et 300 nm, avec une taille moyenne de 166 nm. A l'inverse, les nanoparticules de Se(0) produites par Pseudomonas moraviensis stanleyae sont caractérisées par un diamètre plus faible (~ 100 nm).Compte tenu des risques pour l'environnement engendrés par le relargage du Se(0) biogénique, des mesures appropriées doivent être mises en œuvre pour la séparation solide-liquide en utilisant une technologie efficace. Le potentiel de séparation solide-liquide de Se(0) généré a été évaluée par centrifugation, filtration, coagulation-floculation et électrocoagulation. Alors que toutes les approches présentent des rendements de séparation de Se(0) variables, l'électrocoagulation en utilisant des électrodes sacrificielles de fer a montré l'efficacité d'élimination le plus élevée (97%) / Selenium (Se) is a chalcogen element with a narrow window between essentiality and toxicity. The toxicity is mainly related to the chemical speciation that Se undergoes under changing redox conditions. Se oxyanions, namely selenite (Se[IV], SeO32-) and selenate (Se[VI], SeO42-), are water-soluble, bioavailable and toxic. In contrast, elemental selenium, Se(0), is solid and less toxic. Nevertheless, Se(0) nanoparticles are potentially harmful as particulate Se(0) has been reported to be bioavailable to filter feeding mollusks (e.g. bivalves) and fish. Furthermore, Se(0) is prone to re-oxidation to toxic SeO32- and SeO42- when discharged into aquatic ecosystems. Biogenic Se(0) under investigation was produced by the reduction of Na2SeO4 under anaerobic conditions using a mixed bacterial inoculum (anaerobic granular sludge) and through the reduction of Na2SeO3 under aerobic conditions using a pure microbial culture (Pseudomonas moraviensis stanleyae, a novel strain identified and characterized for the first time herein). Both types of Se(0) showed strong colloidal stability within the 2-12 pH range. The colloidal stability is caused by the negatively charged (-15 mV to -30 mV) biopolymer layer covering biogenic Se(0) particles and by their nanometer size. The particle size of Se(0) produced by anaerobic granular sludge ranged between 50 and 300 nm, with an average size of 166 nm. Conversely, the Se(0) particles produced by Pseudomonas moraviensis stanleyae are characterized by a lower diameter (~ 100 nm).The solid-liquid separation potential of Se(0) was assessed by centrifugation, filtration, coagulation-flocculation and electrocoagulation. While all approaches can bring about Se(0) removal from suspension with various degrees of success, electrocoagulation using iron sacrificial electrodes showed the highest removal efficiency (97%). Because biogenic Se(0) is harmful to the environment, appropriate measures must be implemented for the solid-liquid separation using an efficient technology

Stanleya pinnata has been identified as an indicator plant for seleniferous soils. The apparent limitation of its distribution to seleniferous soils suggests that selenium may play an essential role in this species. This study is a preliminary investigation of the role of selenium to Stanleya pinnata. When fully ripe, seeds germinated readily. Concentrations of selenium of 100 parts per million and 1000 parts per million retarded germination. Seeds germiuated in lower concentrations were not affected which was probably due to the selenium content of the seed itself, being greater than in the germinating media. Stanleya pinnata plants were grown from seeds from which seedlings were transplanted to two-liter Pyrex beakers containing Hoagland's nutrient solution except lacking sulfur. The plants were grown in three lots. Sulfur (as magnesium sulfate) and selenium (as sodium selenate) were varied inversely in lot A as follows: 80 ppm. sulfur and .0001 ppm. selenium; .01 ppm. sulfur and .01 selenium, .001 ppm. sulfur and 10 ppm. selenium; .0001 ppm. sulfur and 25 ppm. selenium. Lot B contained Hoagland's complete nutrient solution with additions of selenium in the following amounts: .0001 ppm.; .01 ppm.; 10 ppm.; 25 ppm. Lot C contained Hoagland's nutrient solution except for a sulfur variation which was identical to lot A. Magnesium chloride was added to pots of lots A and C to replenish the deficiency of magnesium. After eighteen weeks (October 30, 1956 to March 6; 1957) of growing the experimental plants in the greenhouse, the plants were all harvested. Fresh and dry weights were determined for roots and tops. The roots and tops were oven dried and subsequently analyzed for selenium content by spectrophotometry. Results indicate that selenium was stimulating to the growth of the plants which were grown in solutions with a sulfur concentration of 80 ppm. and a selenium concentration of 10 ppm. With a sulfur concentration of .01 ppm. or below and selenium concentration of 10 ppm. and above, selenium considerably inhibited the growth of Stanleya pinnata. The growing time in this investigation was insufficient to allow completion of a life cycle, therefore, determination of the essentiality of selenium for normal growth and development of Stanleza pinnata is not conclusive. It was found that the uptake of selenium by the plant was greater when the concentration of sulfur in the solution media was 80 ppm. and selenium concentration was 10 ppm. This suggests that a further increase in sulfur concentration may allow a greater uptake of selenium.

No description available.

Selenium (Se) is an essential element, toxic at concentrations only slightly above those required. It can become detrimental to fish health when available in excess in the aquatic environment. This study examined the effects of Se on adult female rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout fed Se-methionine for five months, and on their larvae. Differences between fish species and between tissues were observed in the accumulation of Se in adults, and dose-dependent effects of Se on plasma thyroid hormone concentrations in brook trout, gonad size in all three species, and indicators of oxidative stress in rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, were detected. Survival of larvae and swim-up success decreased with increasing egg Se concentrations in rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, however, the same effects were not observed in brook trout. Data from this study provide new evidence for species-specific Se accumulation and toxicity in salmonid fish. / xi, 123 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

Sturgeon are an ancient family of fish which have remained essentially unchanged for 200 million years, rendering them physiologically distinct from the more modern teleosts. Of the 26 known species of sturgeons all are likely endangered. North American populations have been declining steadily since the 1800s due to factors such as overharvesting, habitat alterations and increasing pollution. White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), endemic to Western North America, are the largest freshwater fish on the continent. Protecting white sturgeon is of interest because nearly all Canadian populations are endangered and they are culturally and economically important. Factors such as great size, longevity, position in the food chain and benthic life style render white sturgeon particularly susceptible to bioaccumulation of toxicants. They are known to be among the most sensitive species to pollutants such as metal ions, dioxin-like compounds and endocrine disrupters. However, little is known about their susceptibility to other priority contaminants such as selenium (Se). Selenium, in its organic form selenomethionine (SeMet) has become a contaminant of particular concern as it is a known toxicant that efficiently bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in the food chain. It is also of interest as Se is an essential micronutrient that becomes toxic at only marginally greater than optimal doses. Current elevated concentrations of SeMet in white sturgeon prey, with predicted increases in anthropogenic releases, have made it a contaminant of concern for this species. It is hypothesized that increased releases of Se to aquatic environments have contributed in part to sturgeon declines; however, to date little is known about its specific effects on this species. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the sensitivity of three year old white sturgeon to dietary SeMet and to link physiological effects to key molecular events of toxicity and to elucidate the mechanism of toxicity. Specifically, this thesis focused on oxidative stress in liver tissue as a hypothesized primary mechanism of toxicity. For 72 days sturgeon were given either a control diet of 1.4 µg Se/g feed or a diet spiked with SeMet (5.6, 22.4 or 104.4 µg Se/g feed dry mass). These doses corresponded to an uptake necessary for proper health, two environmentally relevant exposures, and a worst-case scenario for industrial Se release, respectively. A subsample of fish was taken at day 10 to investigate molecular endpoints. Within 10 days of exposure, pathological effects were observed in fish given the high dose. Occurrence of severe edema causing exophthalmos developed within 15, 23 and 52 days in high, medium and low dose group fish, respectively. There was a 54% and 22% occurrence of lethal effects in the high and medium dose groups, respectively. Se accumulated in a dose dependent manner and reached equilibrium in high dose fish after approximately 40 days. Growth, liver weight and hepatosomatic index were all significantly lower in the high dose group. Histology of 72 day liver samples showed a significant and dose dependent increase in melanomacrophage aggregates and decrease of energy stores and cell size. Food avoidance was also observed in sturgeon exposed to the high dose. To investigate oxidative stress, 10 day liver samples were tested for changes in gene expression coding for glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, apoptosis inducing factor and caspase 3, using real-time PCR. Only GPx was significantly induced. Day 72 liver samples were tested for the presence of lipid hydroperoxides but there were no significant differences between dose groups and controls, which shed doubt on oxidative stress being the main driver of toxicity. Taken together the data makes a strong case for the sensitivity of white sturgeon to Se accumulation and indicates a general suppression of health due to toxic levels of exposure. However, in contrast to other fish species exposed to Se, oxidative stress is not likely the main mechanism of toxicity in white sturgeon. Findings from the present study could be used for the risk assessment of sturgeon to anthropogenic Se in aquatic ecosystems.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The radionuclide 75Se (T1/2= 119.8 days) decays to the stable isotope 75As by 100 % electron capture. Applications of this radioisotope include its use as a radiotracer in agricultural investigations and as a potential irradiation source in high-activity brachytherapy. The application of this isotope as a radiotracer in clinical studies has been limited due to a lack of availability of carrier-free 75Se. In this study the excitation functions for the production of carrier-free 75Se, other selenium radioisotopes and radiocontaminants produced via natBr(p,x) nuclear reactions were measured by the use of the stacked foil technique. Three separate stacks were assembled from aluminium and copper monitor foils and potassium bromide tablets. The latter were prepared by pressing KBr salt into tablets with a thickness of 200 mg/cm2 and a diameter of 20 mm, which are sandwiched between thin Al foils. The monitor foils, with a diameter of 19 mm, were punched from foil sheets. The stacks were irradiated at proton beam energies of 100.9 MeV, 66.8 MeV and 40.4 MeV respectively at the National Accelerator Centre cyclotron facility. After bombardment the KBr tablets were sealed in plastic bags to prevent the loss of any krypton isotopes produced. The gamma-ray spectra of the induced radioactivity in each of the target foils were recorded by means of a Ge-detector coupled with a SILENA 16-k multichannel analyser. The measured excitation functions for the above-mentioned isotopes are presented. Where applicable the cross-section values are compared with previously published values, while the others are presented as new data. Theoretical calculations by means of the computer code ALICE (IPPE) were also done for comparison. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die radionuklied 75Se (T1/2= 119.8 dae) verval deur 100 % elektronvangs na die stabiele isotoop 75As. Toepassings vir hierdie radioisotoop sluit in sy gebruik as 'n radiospoormiddel in landbou-ondersoeke en as 'n potensiële stralingsbron in hoë aktiwiteit bragiterapie. Die aanwending van hierdie isotoop as 'n radiospoorder in kliniese studies word egter beperk deur die gebrek aan beskikbaarheid van draer-vry 75Se. In hierdie studie is die opwekkingskrommes vir die produksie van draer-vry 75Se, ander selenium radioistope en radiokontaminante bepaal deur die natBr(p,x) kernreaksies te meet met behulp van die foelie-stapel metode. Drie verskillende stapels, bestaande uit aluminium- en koper-monitor foelies en kalium-bromied tablette, is saamgestel. Laasgenoemde is voorberei deur KBr sout saam te pers tot tablette met 'n dikte van 200 mg/cm2 en 'n deursnit van 20 mm en wat omsluit is met dun Al-foelies. Die monitor-foelies, met 'n deursnit van 19 mm, is gepons uit foelieplate. Die stapels is bestraal met protonbundels met energieë van onderskeidelik 100.9 MeV, 66.8 MeV en 40.4 MeV by die Nasionale Versneller Sentrum, Faure, se siklotron-fasiliteit. Na bombardering is die KBr tablette verseël in plastieksakkies om verliese van enige vervaardigde kripton isotope te verhoed. Die gamma-straal spektra van die geinduseeerde radioaktiwiteit in elke teiken is opgeneem met behulp van 'n Ge-detektor wat gekoppel was aan 'n SILENA 16-k multikanaal-analiseerder. Bogenoemde isotope se gemete opwekkingskrommes word aangebied. Waar van toepassing word die kansvlakwaardes vergelyk met vorige gepubliseerde waardes terwyl ander aangebied word as die eerste data bekend. 'n Vergelyking met die teoreties berekende kansvlakwaardes van die rekenaar kode ALICE (IPPE) word ook gedoen.

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for human and livestock with antioxidant and anticancer characteristics. Although Se is not an essential element for plants, it has been reported that it can improve plant growth. This experiment was conducted at the Isfahan University of Technology in winter 2010. The experiment was factorial based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 replications. Se was added to nutrient solution in 4 concentrations 2, 4, and 6 mg/l sodium selenite (Na2SeO3). Root volume, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, number and weight of fruits, chlorophyll content and photosynthesis traits (photosynthesis rate, stomata internal carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, stomata conductance) were measured. Results showed that Se increased root dry weight. Fresh and dry weights of shoot increased in the 2 mg/l Se treatment and decreased at the higher level of Se. Chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate were not affected by Se. Stomata internal CO2 concentration and stomata conductance decreased by Se addition. Overall, Se at 2 mg/l application rate was effective in some physiological characteristics of cucumber.

Seepage from steelmaking coal mine waste rock dumps in the Elk Valley, British Columbia, Canada can contain selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), and sulfate (SO42-) from the oxidation of sulfide minerals, and nitrate (NO3-) from blasting. The impact of these constituents of interest (CIs) on receiving groundwater systems and the potential for their natural attenuation is investigated. A 10.7 km2 mine-impacted research catchment (West Line Creek) was instrumented with 13 monitoring wells and 8 drivepoint wells to characterize the hydraulics and geochemistry of the aquifer system downgradient of the waste rock dump. These data were augmented with geophysical surveys and by characterizing the lithology, geotechnical properties, and geochemistry of core samples obtained during drilling. Furthermore, the groundwater monitoring program also facilitated the development of a conceptual model of hydrogeology in a small montane valley. An unconfined aquifer at the overburden/fractured bedrock interface, i.e. the basal alluvial aquifer was identified as the primary groundwater conduit for the migration of water and solutes from the waste rock dump toward Line Creek. Vertical and horizontal dispersion of CIs was confirmed with porewater analysis of core samples, with Se concentrations exceeding the BC water quality guideline (2.0 µg/L) in 98% of samples (n = 223). Residence time for groundwater in the overburden aquifers was determined using 3H/3He age dating (n = 3) and estimates of groundwater velocity to be less than three years across the 650 m study site. The chemistry of groundwater was compared with rock drain water samples to evaluate CIs from their source through to identified discharge locations. Linear correlation of CI concentrations with SO42- concentrations in water samples showed that Se and NO3- were conservative solutes, whereas Cd was non-conservative and may be undergoing mineral precipitation or adsorption reactions in the groundwater system. The distribution of CIs in the overburden aquifers was seasonally variable and dilution was determined to be the dominant mechanism controlling the concentrations of conservative CIs (Se, SO42- and NO3-) away from the toe of the waste rock dump and during the spring freshet. The basal alluvial aquifer downgradient of the waste rock dump was estimated to annually discharge 16% of the water and 7% of the SO42- load from the catchment.

The objectives of these experiments were to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit.E) supplementation in maternal and progeny diets on the performance of breeder hens and the performance and meat quality characteristics of progeny. Inclusion of Se, as Se yeast, in the diets of developing broiler breeder pullets resulted in greater Se accumulation of Se (P<0.01) in liver, pancreas, and breast tissues than when Se yeast was not provided. Improving the overall Se status of breeder pullets in the early stages may help maintain adequate tissue Se concentrations during egg production. Maternal supplementation of Se yeast and Vit.E increased the liver and breast Se concentration (P<0.05) of newly hatched chicks compared to the chicks originating from hens not receiving dietary Se. At 7d of age, Se yeast supplementation in either the chick or maternal diet increased breast and liver Se concentrations (P<0.01). At 14d of age, breast and liver Se concentrations remained the highest for chicks supplemented with Se yeast (P<0.01), however there was no effect of maternal Se supplementation. Vitamin E supplementation in either the chick or maternal diets did not affect the liver Vit.E concentrations of chicks at 7 or 14d of age. Supplementing broiler diets with Se yeast and Vit.E improved the meat quality characteristics of raw and marinated breast fillets. The Se content of breast meat from broilers fed Se yeast was higher (P<0.01) than those from broilers that were not fed Se yeast. Antioxidant supplementation improved the drip loss (P<0.05) and oxidative stability (P<0.10) of raw breast fillets after 7d of refrigerated storage. Marination appeared to increase the susceptibility for lipid oxidation of the marinated breast fillets. Dietary supplementation of Se yeast and Vit.E reduced lipid oxidation (P<0.01) of marinated breast fillets after prolonged refrigerated storage, thus improving oxidative stability. Overall, dietary supplementation of Se yeast can increase the accumulation of Se in the tissues of broiler breeder hens and their subsequent progeny. Improvements in the avian antioxidant system may have beneficial effects on the performance of broiler breeder hens, broilers, and the meat quality characteristics of broiler breast fillets.