Question

Which are the sources for Selenium contamination in India among the following? (i) Industrial sources. (ii) Agricultural Practices (iii) Ground water

• A. Only (i) and (ii)
• B. Only (iii)
• C. Only (ii) and (iii)
• D. All the above ((i), (ii) and (iii))

Answer 1

Answer:

D. All the above ((i), (ii) and (iii))

• Selenium contamination can arise from various sources:

  • (i) Industrial sources: Industries like mining, coal-fired power plants, and refineries can release selenium into the environment through wastewater discharge and atmospheric emissions.

  • (ii) Agricultural Practices: Irrigation, especially with water from selenium-rich soils, and the use of certain fertilizers can mobilize selenium, leading to its accumulation in agricultural lands and runoff into water bodies.

  • (iii) Ground water: Naturally occurring selenium in rocks and soils can leach into groundwater, making it a natural source of contamination, particularly in regions with high selenium content in geological formations. Human activities can exacerbate this by altering groundwater levels or introducing other contaminants that affect selenium mobility.

  Therefore, all three mentioned sources can contribute to selenium contamination.