Differences of selenium and other trace elements abundances between the Kaschin-Beck disease area and nearby non-Kaschin-Beck disease area, Shaanxi Province, China

Abstract

In order to find out the environmental geochemical characteristics of KBD affected area, KBD and non-KBD villages in KBD Counties, Weibei KBD area, Shaanxi Province, China were studied. Contents of Se and other elements in soil, wheat, maize and drinking water were analyzed. The results show that soil of Weibei KBD area is deficient in trace elements comparing with BSC and non-KBD area. Wheat of Weibei KBD area is deficient both in major elements and trace elements comparing with REC. Wheat of KBD village is especially deficient in Cr, Co, Se, Mo and Mg. Contents of Sr, Li and Mo in wheat of KBD village are significantly lower than nearby non-KBD village, but the average Se content is slightly higher. The deficiency of trace elements, especially Se, Sr, Li and Mo in staple food and trace elements in soil, is the main characteristic for the environment of KBD area.

Keywords: Environmental background; KBD village (site); Se content; Trace element content; Weibei KBD area.