Selenium Content and Uptake in Crops as Affected by Soil Selenium Content and Implications on Human Health

The selenium contents of soil and its uptake by a wide variety of crops are analyzed along a transect, with the sampling stations located at Mawkyrwat, Upper Shillong, Pynthormukrah, and Nongpoh. Each site is successively farther away from uranium deposits, with the closest being Mawkyrwat (50 km). Leafy vegetables had greater selenium content than tubers and fruits. The concentrations of selenium in soil ranged from 70 mu g g(-1) to 296 mu g g(-1) and in vegetables varied from 26 mu g g(-1) to 225 mu g g(-1). Selenium is known to be a decay product of uranium, and the results indicate that the selenium content of soil and vegetables of Mawkrywat is greater than the other three sampling sites. This can be attributed to the proximity of this site to uranium deposits of Domiasat. The possible implications of selenium on human health are discussed.