Sources, Fraction Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Selenium (Se) in Dashan Village, a Se-Rich Area in Anhui Province, China

Soil, rock, potable water, animal food and human hair samples were collected from the Dashan village, a typical selenium (Se)-rich area of China. Se content and fraction distribution were determined to trace the source of soil Se and evaluate the potential health risk to humans. Total Se contents in soils ranged from 0.60 to 10.46 mg kg− 1. The fractions of soil Se followed the order: residual Se (R-Se) > organic–bound Se (O-Se) > acid soluble Se (A-Se) > exchangeable Se (E-Se) > water soluble Se (W-Se). Total Se contents in rocks ranged from 0.07 to 24.8 mg kg− 1. The dietary Se intake of local residents was estimated to be 261.2 µg day− 1 and hair Se content varied from 0.34 to 1.35 mg kg− 1, suggesting that the potential health risk should be concerned. Weathering of carbonaceous rock was speculated to be the primary source of soil Se according to the contents of Se in rocks, the distribution of Se in soil profiles and the relationships between Se and other elements in soils and parent rocks.