Role of ocens as biogenic sources of selenium

• Published in: Earth and Planetary Science Letters
• Main Authors: Liss, P.S., Tessier, Emmanuel, Hamren-Larsson, M., Donard, Olivier François Xavier, Amouroux, David
• Other Authors: Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement (LCABIE), Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les materiaux (IPREM), Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA)-Institut de Chimie - CNRS Chimie (INC-CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2001
• Subjects: [CHIM.ANAL]Chemical Sciences/Analytical chemistry; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-01590087; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(01)00370-3

cited By 55 International audience The pathways leading to the volatilisation and atmospheric transfer of selenium from oceanic environments are poorly understood. They may however affect the global distribution of selenium and its impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In this paper we describe the results of experiments which provide a reasonable estimate of the global selenium budget. Gaseous selenium compounds were determined in the North Atlantic Ocean during a Spring bloom of phytoplankton species which are known to be a large source of atmospheric sulphur. The results demonstrate that significant concentrations of gaseous selenium species occur in surface ocean waters, and their production is closely linked to the gaseous sulphur species turnover. Selective uptake and biotransformation of dissolved selenium in seawater by phytoplankton is a major pathway for the production of gaseous selenium compounds in marine environments and their emission to the atmosphere. It is therefore suggested that such a major selenium source supplies the terrestrial environment with selenium that can be used as an essential nutrient for animal and human life. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.