Selenium Nanoparticles as an Innovative Selenium Fertilizer Exert Less Disturbance to Soil Microorganisms

Jun Liu; Wen-Yu Qi; Hui Chen; Chao Song; Qiang Li; Shu-Guang Wang

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.746046

Selenium Nanoparticles as an Innovative Selenium Fertilizer Exert Less Disturbance to Soil Microorganisms

Front Microbiol. 2021 Sep 13:12:746046. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.746046. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Jun Liu¹, Wen-Yu Qi¹, Hui Chen¹, Chao Song¹, Qiang Li^{2

3}, Shu-Guang Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
² College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in the human body. Se-enriched agricultural products, obtained by applying Se fertilizer, are important sources of Se supplement. However, Se fertilizer may cause a series of environmental problems. This study investigated the transformation of exogenous selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and selenite (SeO₃ ^2-) in soil and explored their effects on soil microbial community and typical microorganisms. SeNPs exhibited a slow-release effect in soil, which promoted the growth of soil microorganisms and enriched soil probiotics. SeO₃ ^2- was converted to a stable and low toxic state in soil, increasing persistent free radicals and decreasing microbial abundance and diversity. The influences of SeNPs and SeO₃ ^2- on two typical soil microorganisms (Bacillus sp. and Escherichia coli) were also evaluated, and SeNPs were more difficult to enter into microorganisms directly, with lower toxicity and higher safety. These results indicated that SeNPs were a more environment-friendly Se additive for agriculture applications. This work provides useful information for better understanding the environmental fate and behavior of Se fertilizer in the soil.

Keywords: environmental persistent free radicals; selenite; selenium fertilizer; selenium nanoparticles; soil microorganism.