586-1 Selenium Levels in Lebanese Soils, Plants and Water.

Poster Number 495

See more from this Division: S04 Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition
See more from this Session: Sulfur, Selenium, and Germanium (Posters)

Monday, 6 October 2008
George R. Brown Convention Center, Exhibit Hall E

Isam Bashour, Rita Wakim, Musa Nimah, Moatasim Sidahmed and Imad Toufeili, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Abstract:
Selenium was measured in 60 soil samples, 86 plant samples and 13 water samples by ICP-MS. The samples were collected from major agricultural regions in Lebanon. The results of soil analysis indicate that soluble Se < KH2PO4Se < HNO3–Se. The ratio of soluble Se: KH2PO4–Se : HNO3–Se were about 1:3:13. The Se levels in soil samples ranged between medium to high. Se levels in edible portions of plants followed the following order: radish > lettuce > cucumber > cabbage > parsley > onion leaves > broccoli > tomato > mint > chickpeas > wheat > onion bulbs. The Se level in water samples collected from springs ranged between 2.7-17.6 µg/L (average 7.4 µg/L) and between 2.1-5.1 µg/L in bottled water. The lower level of  Se in bottled water was expected because bottled water is filled from excellent quality water at elevation of 1600 m minimum. The EPA safe value for drinking water is less than 50 µg/L. The results indicate that plant type, variety, and growth stage are factors that affect Se levels in plants. Se levels in plant tissue was affected by soil pH, CaCO3 and organic matter contents. In the calcareous soils of Lebanon, the three Se fractions (soluble–Se, KH2PO4–Se, and HNO3–Se) are good indicators of available Se in soils.

See more from this Division: S04 Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition
See more from this Session: Sulfur, Selenium, and Germanium (Posters)

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