Chitosans represent a class of functional natural polymers. Their unique attribute is the capability to bind metal ions into their structure. This property can be exploited in many biomedical applications, but before that, some questions about metal binding mechanism must be answered. O-carboxymethyl chitosans with accumulated Fe atoms were studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. It was shown that iron bonding depends on the technological processes used in chitosan production. The applied technology allows for the selective introduction of either oxygen alone or of nitrogen and oxygen into the nearest neighbourhood of Fe. Therefore, it is possible to control the surroundings of a metal atom depending on requirements. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.