Selenium in Fly Ash

Abstract

Selenium, at concentrations exceeding 200 parts per million (ppm) (dry weight), has been found in white sweet clover voluntarily growing on beds of fly ash in central New York State. Guinea pigs fed such clover concentrated selenium in their tissues. The contents of the honey stomachs of bees foraging on this seleniferous clover contained negligible selenium. Mature vegetables cultured on 10 percent (by weight) fly ash-amended soil absorbed up to 1 ppm of selenium. Fly ashes from 21 states contained total selenium contents ranging from 1.2 to 16.5 ppm. Cabbage grown on soil containing 10 percent (by weight) of these fly ashes absorbed selenium (up to 3.7 ppm) in direct proportion (correlation coefficient r = .89) to the selenium concentration in the respective fly ash. Water, aquatic weeds, algae, dragonfly nymphs, polliwogs, and tissues of bullheads and muskrats from a fly ash-contaminated pond contained concentrations of selenium markedly elevated over those of controls.

Microorganisms and the Biological Cycling of Selenium

“…The addition of fly ash to soil or aquatic habitats can result in increased Se contents in the plants, animals, and other organisms indigenous to these environments. Gutenmann et al (1976) reported that cabbage plants grown on soils containing 10% fly ash absorbed Se (up to 3.7 ppm) in direct proportion to the Se content of the fly ash. Also, sweetclover plants growing directly on fly ash disposal piles contained over 200 ppm Se.…”

Trace-element geochemistry of coal resource development related to environmental quality and health

“…Higher levels of molybdenum can produce a disorder called "molybdenosis,,' or molybdenum-induced copper deficiency in animals. Results from field and 1 greenhouse studies with fly ash indicate that selenium concentrations in some crop species approached the foregoing critical levels (Furr et al, 1977;Straughan et al, 1979) and in one particular circumstance exceeded these levels (Gutenmann et al, 1976). Tests with small animals showed elevated selenium and molybdenum concentrations in their tissues and organs when they were fed plant rations grown on fly-ash-;…”

Metabolism of /sup 90/Sr and other elements in man, April 1, 1976--March 31, 1977 (extended without additional funding to March 31, 1978) and renewal proposal, April 1, 1978--March 31, 1979

“…Epidemiological studies in children and studies in animals have shown that the incidence of caries is increased by selenium (126). In view of the potentially hazardous effects of excess selenium demonstrated in animals and the reports which indicate release of selenium into the environment in the process of coal combustion (127)(128)(129) the proposed studies of selenium metabolism in man are highly relevant. Commission's Contribution $56,365 In addition to above: VA contribution $10,000…”