Selenium Removal from Wastewater by Microbial Transformation and Volatilization.

Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring trace element that is nutritionally essential for humans and animals, but becomes toxic at high concentrations. This laboratory study explored the role of microbes in Se removal from contaminated wastewater via biological transformation and volatilization processes. Microbes could immobilize water-soluble selenate (SeO) and selenite (SeO) to water-insoluble elemental Se (Se) and transform Se into volatile Se compounds found in the atmosphere.