Risk Assessment of Selenium and Boron Pollutants in Environment
Mohammad M. Almutari *
Department of Plant Production Management, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
According to the literature, there are increasingly more scientific data regarding the environmental pollution of selenium(Se) and the boron(B). The purpose of this review is to give an overview of environmental pollutants for Se andB and the use of plants to alleviate worldwide problems associated with Se and B toxicity. Selenium is an essential element for many species, plant, as well as humans, but it is toxic at higher levels. Boron is relatively soluble in water and commonly causes environmental problems, especially for surface waters where most of the discarded B will end up. Using phytoremediation plants can address this problem. To prevent Se and B toxicity due to excess environmental Se or B, plants may be used to phytoremediate to take up Se and B from soil or water. Research in the past decades had provided a riches ofknowledge regarding the mechanisms by which plants uptake, metabolize, and accumulate Se or B. Moreover, environment studies have revealed the important effects for plantsuptake of Se or B and interactions with herbivores, pollinators, neighbouring vegetation.
Keywords: Selenium, boron, environment, water, soil, plant