Selenium is arguably the naturally occurring trace element of greatest concern worldwide. In excessive amounts it can lead to toxicosis and teratogenesis in animals, while the impact of selenium deficiency can be even more significant. Contributors from 22 countries explored the connections and inter-relationships between selenium in the environment, agriculture, human and animal health, and molecular and biochemistry processes to complete this book containing 90 peer-reviewed extended abstracts. The text represents glimpses of the presentations that were delivered at the 3rd International Conference on Selenium in the Environment and Human Health in 2013 in Hefei, China. We are indebted to the international authors representing a multitude of disciplines from academic, industry, and governments for sharing their extraordinary new knowledge on selenium research.

Phytoremediation consists of using plants and their associated microbes for environmental cleanup. Over the past 10 years, this treatment has gained recognition as a cost-effective, non-invasive, alternative or complimentary technology to engineering-based remediation methods. Biofortification, on the other hand, is an agricultural process that increases the uptake and accumulation of mineral nutrients in agricultural products through plant breeding, genetic engineering, or manipulation of agricultural practices.

This book shows how, despite having different goals, both phytoremediation and biofortification technologies can be closely connected as they are both based on the phytoextraction process that involves plant uptake, accumulation, and transformation of nutrient elements from soil. More specifically, this brief offers a comprehensive introduction to Phytoremediation and Biofortification of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), cadium (Cd) and copper (Cu), and illustrates the emerging integration of these two bio-technologies.
"Phytoremediation and Biofortification: Two Sides of One Coin" is a valuable resource to students, technicians, and academics who are interested in the treatment of environmental problems (bioremediation) through the use of plants, and in the field of biofortification.