Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research

Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research

Selenium Passivation in Contaminated Soils Using Carboxymethyl Chitosan, Magnetite, and Their Composite: Effects on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Nutrient Uptake

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Khatereh Sarmasti
Ahmad Golchin
Mehran Misaghi
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
10.22059/ijswr.2026.410154.670092
Abstract
Contamination of calcareous soils with selenium (Se) significantly enhances its bioavailability, resulting in growth inhibition and the disruption of essential nutrient balance within plant tissues. Therefore, implementing effective immobilization strategies is crucial to mitigate Se toxicity and its adverse impacts on crop production. This study aimed to evaluate the remediation efficiency of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh), magnetite (Fe3O4), and a magnetite–carboxymethyl chitosan composite (Fe3O4/CMCh) for Se immobilization, assessing their effects on growth performance, nutrient uptake, and distribution in maize (Zea mays L.). A greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design. Soils were artificially contaminated with Se at concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg kg⁻¹. Following an equilibration period, amendments were applied at rates of 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1% (w/w). After soil equilibration, maize seedlings were cultivated for 60 days. Subsequently, plant growth parameters and concentrations of Se, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were determined in roots and shoots. Results indicated that increasing Se levels significantly reduced maize growth and decreased the translocation of P and Fe to aboveground tissues. Conversely, plant growth, as well as K and Zn concentrations, reached their maximum at 2 mg Se kg⁻¹, declining at higher levels. The amendments effectively reduced Se bioavailability; however, the Fe3O4/CMCh composite showed the highest efficiency by immobilizing approximately 90% of bioavailable Se. While Fe3O4/CMCh is an effective amendment for contaminated soils, its application in uncontaminated soils requires careful management to avoid excessive immobilization of essential micronutrients.
Keywords
Carboxymethyl Chitosan (CMCh)
Magnetite (Fe₃O₄)
Magnetite/Carboxymethyl Chitosan (Fe₃O₄/CMCh)
Selenium Immobilization
Maize (Zea mays L.)
Subjects

Introduction

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals; however, excessive selenium concentrations in soils can induce phytotoxicity and severely impair plant growth and nutrient homeostasis. In calcareous soils, high pH and carbonate content often enhance selenium mobility and bioavailability, thereby increasing its uptake by plants and posing risks to crop productivity and food safety. Elevated selenium levels are known to interfere with the uptake, translocation, and internal distribution of essential nutrients, particularly phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn). In recent years, soil amendment strategies based on highly sorptive materials have gained attention as effective approaches for reducing selenium bioavailability. Biopolymer-derived sorbents and iron oxides, alone or in composite forms, have shown considerable potential for immobilizing trace elements in contaminated soils. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh), magnetite (Fe₃O₄), and a magnetite–carboxymethyl chitosan composite (Fe₃O₄/CMCh) in immobilizing selenium in contaminated calcareous soils and to assess their impacts on plant growth, nutrient uptake, and nutrient distribution in maize (Zea mays L.).

Methods

A greenhouse experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design. Calcareous soil samples were artificially contaminated with selenium at six levels (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg Se kg⁻¹ soil). Following an initial equilibration period, the soils were amended with CMCh, Fe₃O₄, or Fe₃O₄/CMCh at application rates of 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1% (w/w). The treated soils were incubated again to allow sufficient interaction between selenium and the applied amendments. Maize seedlings were then transplanted into the amended soils and grown under controlled greenhouse conditions for 60 days. At harvest, plant growth parameters were recorded, and the concentrations of selenium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc were determined separately in roots and shoots using standard analytical procedures. Selenium immobilization efficiency was evaluated based on reductions in soil bioavailable selenium and plant selenium uptake.

Results

Increasing selenium concentrations in soil caused a significant decline in maize growth and biomass production. Elevated selenium levels also disrupted nutrient balance, particularly by reducing the concentration and translocation of phosphorus and iron to aboveground tissues. In contrast, plant growth as well as potassium and zinc concentrations reached their maximum at the lowest contamination level (2 mg Se kg⁻¹ soil) and declined with further increases in selenium concentration. Application of all amendments significantly reduced selenium bioavailability in soil and its accumulation in plant tissues, leading to marked improvements in plant growth and nutrient status. Among the tested materials, the Fe₃O₄/CMCh composite exhibited the highest immobilization efficiency, reducing bioavailable selenium by approximately 90% at the highest contamination level. This composite outperformed magnetite and CMCh applied individually and also exceeded the intrinsic immobilization capacity of the calcareous soil. Moreover, Fe₃O₄/CMCh application improved nutrient distribution between roots and shoots, indicating a partial restoration of nutrient homeostasis under selenium stress.

Conclusions

Selenium contamination substantially impairs maize growth and disrupts the uptake and internal distribution of essential nutrients in calcareous soils. The application of sorptive soil amendments effectively reduced selenium bioavailability and alleviated its phytotoxic effects. Among the evaluated materials, the magnetite–carboxymethyl chitosan composite demonstrated superior performance in selenium immobilization and in improving plant growth and nutrient balance. Therefore, Fe₃O₄/CMCh can be considered a promising amendment for the remediation and management of selenium-contaminated calcareous soils. Nevertheless, its application in uncontaminated soils should be carefully controlled to prevent excessive immobilization of essential micronutrients.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Authorship contribution

Khatereh Sarmasti: Methodology, Investigation, Resources, Data curation.

Ahmad Golchin: Writing – original draft, Supervision, Methodology, Conceptualization, Resources.

Mehran Misaghi: Writing – review and editing, Investigation, Resources, Software, Formal analysis.

All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process

There is no use of any type of artificial intelligence-based technology in this paper.

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors.

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran, for its financial and technical support, which facilitated the completion of this study.

Ethical considerations

The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and any form of misconduct.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 57, Issue 7
September 2026
Pages 1765-1801