The adsorption and desorption of Se by three soils (latosol, red earth and yellow brown earth), kaolin and two synthetic iron oxides (amorphous iron oxids and goethite) are discussed in the present paper. On the basis of characteristics of adsorption isotherms, Freundlich equation and Lanynuir equation(C/Y=K/M+1/M·C)fit best for experimental data of samples used. The results obtained show that clay minerals play an important role in the adsorption and desorption of selenite. The amount or Se adsorbed in the samples increased with the amount of Se added, but the amounts of Se adsorbed varied greatly with the mineral composition of samples. The amounts of Se adsorbed vuere in the order: amorphous iron oxide > goethite > latosol > red earth > yellow brovvn earth > kaolin, but the desorption power was in the order: kaolin > yellow brown earth > red earth > latosol > goethite > amorpiious iron oxide.