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Scientific Article details

Title Valorization of selenium-enriched sludge and duckweed generated from wastewater as micronutrient biofertilizer
ID_Doc 11127
Authors Li, J; Otero-Gonzalez, L; Parao, A; Tack, P; Folens, K; Ferrer, I; Lens, PNL; Du Laing, G
Title Valorization of selenium-enriched sludge and duckweed generated from wastewater as micronutrient biofertilizer
Year 2021
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130767
Abstract Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals with a narrow window between deficiency and toxicity levels. Application of conventional chemical Se fertilizers to increase the Se content of crops in Se deficient areas could result in environmental contamination due to the fast leaching of inorganic Se. Slow-release Se-enriched biofertilizers produced from wastewater treatment may therefore be beneficial. In this study, the potential of Se-enriched biomaterials (sludge and duckweed) as slow-release Se biofertilizers was evaluated through pot experiments with and without planted green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The Se concentration in the bean tissues was 1.1-3.1 times higher when soils were amended with Se-enriched sludge as compared to Seenriched duckweed. The results proved that the Se released from Se-enriched biomaterials was efficiently transformed to health-beneficial selenoamino acids (e.g., Se-methionine, 76-89%) after being taken up by beans. The Se-enriched sludge, containing mainly elemental Se, is considered as the preferred slow-release Se biofertilizer and an effective Se source to produce Se-enriched crops for Se-deficient populations, as shown by the higher Se bioavailability and lower organic carbon content. This study could offer a theoretical reference to choose an environmental-friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional mineral Se fertilizers for biofortification, avoiding the problem of Se losses by leaching from chemical Se fertilizers while recovering resources from wastewater. This could contribute to the driver for a future circular economy.
Author Keywords Biofortification; Green beans; Resource recovery; Se-enriched biomaterials; Selenium bioavailability
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000665491400033
WoS Category Environmental Sciences
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://upcommons.upc.edu/bitstream/2117/355304/1/Li_2021_Chemosphere_postprint.pdf
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