What happens to selenium when it enters the environment?
• Selenium occurs naturally in the environment and can be released by both natural and manufacturing processes. • Selenium dust can enter the air from burning coal and oil. This selenium dust will eventually settle over the land and water. • It also enters water from rocks and soil, and from agricultural and industrial waste. Some selenium compounds will dissolve in water, and some will settle to the bottom as particles. • Insoluble forms of selenium will remain in soil, but soluble forms are very mobile and may enter surface water from soils. • Selenium may accumulate up the food chain.
