Soil Redox Chemistry Limitation of Selenium Concentration in Carex Species Sedges
The trace element selenium (Se) is required in the production of enzymes that protect mammalian cells from oxidative damage due to the byproducts of aerobic respiration. Its deficiency in livestock results in the nutritional muscular dystrophy called white muscle disease. This especially affects juveniles in the preweaning period. Symptoms have also been reported in wild herbivores on low-Se forage, and their appearance may be episodic, suggesting temporal variations in Se uptake by plants. Here, we report variations in selenium concentrations in Carex spp. sedges used as forage by bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) on summer range in the Wyoming, Wind River Mountains, and correlate those variations with soil conditions that affect the bioavailability of selenium. Variations in available Se are explained based upon the known oxidation/reduction chemistry of the element. It is concluded that water-saturated, alpine soils provide conditions suitable for the reduction of Se to the unavailable, elemental form, limiting its concentration in forage plants.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- INEEL
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-99ID-13727
- OSTI ID:
- 920711
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-05-00496; SOSCAK; TRN: US200818%%123
- Journal Information:
- Soil Science, Vol. 172, Issue 9; ISSN 0038-075X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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