Selenium biotransformation by the salt marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora: Evidence for dimethylselenoniopropionate formation

Journal Article · Tue Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es9812296· OSTI ID:6149087

Ansede, J H; Pellechia, P J; Yoch, D C ^[1]

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1. Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States)

Phytoremediation of toxic inorganic selenium compounds by accumulation, assimilation, and volatilization is an ideal way to rid contaminated soils and sediments of these molecules. In this context, salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) was investigated for its potential to produce dimethylselenoniopropionate (DMSeP), which as the authors have shown can serve as a precursor for the enzymatic volatilization of the relatively nontoxic gas, dimethylselenide (DMSe). Plants grown in sand culture, under varying saline conditions amended with the environmentally toxic form of selenium (selenate) were analyzed for organoselenium compounds. DMSeP was positively identified in plant tissue and partially purified plant extracts by alkaline degradation to DMSe, [sup 1]H and [sup 77]Se NMR, and by enzymatic cleavage by DMSP lyase to DMSe (and acrylate). DMSeP levels were highest in plants grown in high salt (full-strength seawater) and high selenium. Preliminary evidence suggests that cordgrass may also produce Se-methyl selenomethionine, the putative precursor of DMSeP. This appears to be the first report for the biological assimilation of selenate into DMSeP by a plant species. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the volatilization of selenium, as DMSe, analogous to that of dimethylsulfide (DMS) production by the salt tolerant cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora.

• OSTI ID: 6149087
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Vol. 33:12; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
GRAMINEAE
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
PLANTS
POLLUTION CONTROL
REMEDIAL ACTION
SEDIMENTS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SOILS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL