The Se contents ranged from 0.34 mg kg− 1 in the typical Alitic Haplic Cambisol to 11.25 mg kg− 1 in an organossolic Dystrophic Humic Cambisol, which contains 12.7% organic matter. Generally, precipitation and parent material are the primary factors influencing the distribution of Se in soils. In the regional distribution of soil Se, clay and organic matter contents influence Se levels (NASCIMENTO et al., 2021).
In the soils of Santa Catarina, the mean content of Se was 1.60 mg kg− 1 with a median of 1.20 mg kg− 1 (Table 2). The Se content in Santa Catarina was higher than the global average of 0.33 mg kg− 1 (Kabata-Pendias & Pendias, 2000) and 0.44 mg kg− 1 (Song et al., 2020). According to the classification proposed by Song et al. (2020), none of the soils are deficient in Se (< 0.125 mg kg− 1) nor do they have low content (0.125–0.175 mg kg− 1). Only one soil was classified with moderate content (0.175–0.4 mg kg− 1), and 44 soils have high Se content (0.4–3.0 mg kg− 1). Furthermore, it was possible to identify five soils with excessive Se content (> 3.0 mg kg− 1).
Table 2
– Data statistical analyses.
| TOC | pH | CTC | Areia | Argila | Silte | Al2O3 | Fe2O3 | MnO | P | Se |
Mean | 41.70 | 5.48 | 22.60 | 272.2 | 406.3 | 321.6 | 229941 | 189798 | 1745 | 9.26 | 1.60 |
Median | 28.63 | 5.37 | 20.22 | 181.6 | 429.5 | 329.6 | 219003 | 151585 | 1030 | 4.89 | 1.20 |
SD | 44.52 | 0.54 | 11.85 | 184.3 | 167.1 | 101.5 | 59224 | 110948 | 1809 | 14.79 | 1.65 |
Min. | 9.05 | 4.55 | 4.89 | 26.3 | 124.1 | 128.3 | 103205 | 27810 | 50 | 2.78 | 0.34 |
Max. | 249.00 | 6.70 | 61.38 | 713.3 | 752.7 | 508.1 | 402280 | 364735 | 8465 | 94.35 | 11.25 |
Kurtosis | 13.21 | -0.62 | 2.63 | -0.70 | -1.07 | -0.87 | 1.02 | -1.54 | 3.52 | 24.56 | 24.56 |
In a study conducted in Piauí, located in the northeastern region of Brazil, soil Se levels ranged from 0.002 to 4.78 mg kg− 1 (LEITE et al., 2024). In Minas Gerais, the average Se levels were 0.38 mg kg− 1, in Goiás 0.04 mg kg− 1 (CARVALHO et al., 2019), and in São Paulo 0.18 mg kg− 1 (GABOS; ALLEONI; ABREU, 2014). It is evident that in semi-arid environments underlain by crystalline rocks, where clay and organic carbon contents are low, pedogenesis and climate conditions result in lower Se concentrations compared to the southern region of Brazil (NASCIMENTO et al., 2021).
Compared to other soil classes, Argisols exhibited higher Se levels (Fig. 2). Argisols often develop from acidic magmatic rocks. Generally, acidic magmatic rocks such as granite and gneiss, and their metamorphic counterparts, possess naturally higher levels of Se. During the aging of Argisols, the formation and increase in concentrations of Fe and Al oxides occur. These oxides have a high affinity for oxyanions such as selenite (SeO32−) and selenate (SeO42−), which are common forms of Se in soil solution. In weathered soils, there is little to no presence of 2:1 clay minerals. This makes kaolinite (1:1) and Fe and Al oxides important in the adsorption process. Fe and Al oxides are effective in adsorbing Se. These oxides act as colloids that retain Se oxyanions, preventing their leaching and promoting their concentration in the soil. Therefore, the high Se content in Argisols may be related to the adsorption of these molecules by soil colloids (GOH; LIM, 2004).
The average Se content in soils derived from sedimentary rocks was 1.172 mg kg− 1; in soils from igneous rocks, it was 1.528 mg kg− 1; and in soils from metamorphic rocks, it was 2.127 mg kg− 1. The soil originating from shale showed the highest Se content (11.254 mg kg-1), which is consistent with the findings of Nascimento et al. (2021). Soils derived from different parent materials exhibited statistically significant differences in Se content (Table 3 and Fig. 3).
Table 3
– Comparison of the mean Se in different origin materials
Origin material | Se (mg kg− 1) |
Andesite | 0.848 | a |
Claystone | 0.913 | a |
Siltstone | 1.078 | ab |
Syenite | 1.144 | ab |
Phonolite | 1.145 | ab |
Granite | 1.156 | ab |
Hornblendite | 1.202 | ab |
Rhyodacite | 1.231 | ab |
Sandstone | 1.305 | ab |
Basalt | 1.337 | ab |
Metasandstone | 1.565 | ab |
Granulite | 1.724 | ab |
Migmatite | 2.367 | ab |
Garnet Muscovite Shale | 4.414 | b |
Shales | 11.254 | c |
The principal component analysis indicated that the first principal component (PC1) and the second principal component (PC2) accounted for 90.7% of the variance (Fig. 4). Soils derived from metamorphic rocks exhibited the highest Se concentrations.
Metamorphic rocks may contain higher Se levels due to various geological and chemical factors that influence their mineral composition and trace element concentration. During the metamorphic process, preexisting minerals in sedimentary or igneous rocks can recrystallize or form new minerals under high pressures and temperatures. Some of these minerals can incorporate Se into their crystalline structure, especially if the original material already contained Se (GONG et al., 2022). Additionally, metamorphism can cause the mobilization of trace elements, including Se. During metamorphic processes, hydrothermal fluids can percolate through the rocks, transporting and redistributing chemical elements. This transport can result in the concentration of Se in certain minerals or zones of the metamorphic rock. During metamorphism, sulfurous minerals, such as pyrite (FeS2), can incorporate Se, thus increasing the Se content in metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic processes can also lead to the formation of denser and more stable minerals that retain Se more effectively than the minerals found in sedimentary rocks. This occurs because recrystallization during metamorphism can result in a mineralogical matrix that is chemically more compatible with the incorporation of Se (GONG et al., 2022).
It was also observed that the Se content is highly related to the increase in P content. The Se content in the soil may have a complex relationship with P, as both are essential nutrients for plants, but their interaction can influence their availability and mobility in the soil. Both Se and P can be adsorbed by Fe and Al oxides present in the soil. The increase in the concentration of one of these elements can reduce the adsorption of the other, thus increasing its availability. The presence of high levels of P can alter the chemical form of Se, transforming it into more soluble species, such as selenates. The biogeochemical cycles of Se and P may be interconnected through biological and chemical processes in the soil. Soil microorganisms involved in the mineralization and immobilization of P can also influence the form and availability of Se (JIANG et al., 2022).
The relationship between total organic carbon and Se in the soil influences the adsorption, mobility, and complexation of Se, directly affecting its availability. Se is more mobile and available under alkaline conditions (Fordyce et al., 2010). The correlation between Se and organic matter was found to be 0.27. Numerous studies correlate Se with Al2O3, clay, and organic matter (Coppin, Chabroullet, Martin-Garin, 2009). However, some studies did not observe a correlation between Se and organic matter in soils from the Midwest and Southeast regions of Brazil (Carvalho et al., 2019).
Given this context, it is evident that background values are essential in assessing soil quality, as they represent the natural concentrations of chemical elements prior to intense human intervention. They are fundamental for identifying contamination, differentiating between natural and anthropogenic concentrations, and guiding remediation strategies to ensure soils return to a safe state. Furthermore, they serve as a basis for the creation of environmental standards, facilitate geochemical studies, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices, preventing agricultural pollution and ensuring environmental protection and public health.