Removal of selenium from water and wastewater

Abstract

It is well established that the presence of selenium in drinking water in higher concentrations has toxic effects on both humans and aquatic life. A maximum acceptable concentration of 10 μg/L has been specified for selenium in drinking water by the federal and provincial regulatory agencies. Selenium finds extensive application in the manufacture of photocells, rectifiers, xerography equipment, paint, glass and insecticides. Selenium concentration in industrial effluents may vary from 1 to 7000 μg/L. This paper reviews various treatment technologies for the removal of selenium from water and wastewater such as sedimentation, filtration, activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange, reverse osmosis and biological treatment.