Spatial variability of soil available Zn and Cu in paddy rice fields of China

As a source of nutrient supplements, the deficiency or excess of micronutrients in soil is directly connected to the plant uptake and, thereby, status of micronutrients in the human population. Proper management of micronutrients requires an understanding of the variations of soil micronutrients across the fields. This study is to investigate the spatial patterns of soil available Zn and Cu in paddy rice fields. Four hundred and sixty three soil samples were taken in Hangzhou–Jiaxing–Huzhou (HJH) watershed in Zhejiang Province, China, and available Zn and Cu were analyzed using an atomic adsorption spectrometer. Geostatistical semivariograms analysis indicated that the available Zn and Cu were best fitted to a spherical model with a range of 40.5 and 210.4 km, respectively. There were moderate spatial dependences for Zn and Cu over a long distance and the dependence were attributed to soil types and anthropogenic activities. The overlay analysis of spatial patterns and soil types gave us greater understanding about how intrinsic factors affect the spatial variation of available micronutrients. Based on the above, macroscopically regionalized management of soil available micronutrients and the implications to potential risk were discussed.     

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils: a case study of Changxing,China

Six hundred and sixty-five soil samples were taken from Changxing County in Zhejiang Province, China, to characterize the spatial variability of Hg Cd, Pb, Cu, As and Cr. The geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) techniques were applied, and the ordinary kriging and lognormal kriging were used to map the spatial patterns of the six heavy metals. Hg, Pb, Cu and As were fitted to the spherical model with a range of 85.75, 82.32, 86.10, and 23.17 km, respectively. Cr was fitted to the exponential model with a range of 6.27 km, and Cd was fitted to the linear model with a range of 37.66 km. Both Pb and Cu had strong spatial dependence due to the effects of natural factors including parent material, topography and soil type. Hg, Cd, Cr and As had, however, moderate spatial dependence, indicating an involvement of human factors. Meanwhile, based on the comparison between the original data and the guide values of the six metals, the disjunctive kriging technique was used to quantify their pollution risks. The results showed that only Cd and Hg exhibited pollution risks in the study area. The pollution source evaluated was closely corresponded with the real discharge of industrial production and the application of organomercury pesticides. The results of this study provide insight into risk assessment of environmental pollution and decision making for agricultural production and industrial adjustment of building materials.     

四川盆地典型农业区土壤中铜、钴、钼和锌的空间分异及其影响因素

为定量化分析地理因子对土壤中铜（Cu）、钴（Co）、钼（Mo）和锌（Zn）空间分异的影响,作者采集和测定了四川盆地长寿之乡江津区156件表土样品,综合运用数理统计、地统计和地理探测器等方法,分析表土中Cu、Co、Mo和Zn含量的空间分异特征及其驱动因子。表土中Cu、Co、Mo和Zn均值分别为27.0×10^-6、18.5×10^-6、0.4×10^-6和216.8×10^-6,分别是中国土壤背景值的1.19倍、1.45倍、0.20倍和2.17倍。研究区表层土壤中Cu（36.6%）、Co（16.9%）、Mo（51.7%）和Zn（89.4%）变异系数都呈中等变异,但Zn和Mo的空间分布不均匀性更加显著。总体上,江津区表土中Cu、Co、Mo和Zn含量在北部相对较高,而南部地区相对较低。土壤中Fe和Mn及成土母岩和土壤类型分别是影响江津区表土中Cu、Co、Mo和Zn空间分异的主控驱动因子,但影响程度不一。总体上,Fe和Mn的独立及交互作用最高,对江津区表土中Cu、Co、Mo和Zn含量的空间分异起到重要作用。     

Content of the potentially harmful elements in soil around the major coal-fired power plant in Serbia: relation to soil characteristics,evaluation of spatial distribution and source apportionment

The concentrations and spatial distribution of nine potentially harmful elements (PHEs), namely Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, and their relation to soil properties were investigated in thirty soil profiles (0–50 cm depth) sampled around the largest Serbian coal-fired power plant (CFPP) “Nikola Tesla A.” Soil properties were determined following standard procedures, and total contents of PHEs were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. Concentrations of Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were the highest in soil profiles sampled 1 km away from the CFPP, concentrations of Ni and Cu gradually increased up to 4 km, and the highest Cr concentrations were measured in samples taken 6 km away from the CFPP. The highest concentration of PHEs analyzed, except Mn, corresponded with predominant wind directions. Depth did not show significant impact on distribution of any PHEs investigated. Among soil properties, the total organic carbon showed the closest relationship with the PHEs. Data were processed by a principal component analysis which enabled distinguishing anthropogenic from natural influences on soil properties and PHE contents. Although the impact of CFPP operations is obvious, assets of principal component analysis did not allow clear distinction of CFPP’s contribution from parent material in enrichment of PHE contents in the soil in the study area.     

Spatial variability assessment of soil nutrients in an intense agricultural area,a case study of Rugao County in Yangtze River Delta Region,China

Topsoil samples (0–20 cm) (n = 237) were collected from Rugao County, China. Geostatistical variogram analysis, sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS), and principal component (PC) analysis were applied to assess spatial variability of soil nutrients, identify the possible areas of nutrient deficiency, and explore spatial scale of variability of soil nutrients in the county. High variability of soil nutrient such as soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B concentrations were observed. Soil nutrient properties displayed significant differences in their spatial structures, with available Cu having strong spatial dependence, SOM and available P having weak spatial dependence, and other nutrient properties having moderate spatial dependence. The soil nutrient deficiency, defined here as measured nutrient concentrations which do not meet the advisory threshold values specific to the county for dominant crops, namely rice, wheat, and rape seeds, was observed in available K and Zn, and the deficient areas covered 38 and 11%, respectively. The first three PCs of the nine soil nutrient properties explained 62.40% of the total variance. TN and SOM with higher loadings on PC1 are closely related to soil texture derived from different parent materials. The PC2 combined intermediate response variables such as available Zn and P that are likely to be controlled by land use and soil pH. Available B has the highest loading on PC3 and its variability of concentrations may be primarily ascribed to localized anthropogenic influence. The amelioration of soil physical properties (i.e. soil texture) and soil pH may improve the availability of soil nutrients and the sustainability of the agricultural system of Rugao County.     

Selective chemical extraction of heavy metals in tailings and soils contaminated by mining activity: Environmental implications

Total concentrations of chemical elements in soils may not be enough to understand the mobility and bioavailability of the elements. It is important to characterise the degree of association of chemical elements in different physical and chemical phases of soil. Another geochemical characterisation methodology is to apply sequential selective chemical extraction techniques. A seven-step sequential extraction procedure was used to investigate the mobility and retention behaviour of Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Mo, Cd, Bi, Sn, W, Ag, As and U in specific physical–chemical and mineral phases in mine tailings and soils in the surroundings of the abandoned Ervedosa mine. The soil geochemical data show anomalies associated with mineralised veins or influenced by mining. Beyond the tailings, the highest recorded concentrations for most elements are in soils situated in mineralised areas or under the influence of tailings. The application of principal components analysis allowed recognition of (a) element associations according to their geochemical behaviour and (b) distinction between samples representing local geochemical background and samples representing contamination. Some metal cations (Mn, Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni) showed important enrichment in the most mobilisable and bioavailable (i.e., water-soluble and exchangeable) fractions due likely to the acidic conditions in the area. In contrast, oxy-anions such as Mo and As showed lower mobility because of adsorption to Fe oxy-hydroxides. The residual fraction comprised largest proportions of Sn and Al and to a lesser extent Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Bi, W, and Ag, which are also present at low concentrations in the bioavailable fractions. The elements in secondary mineral phases (mainly Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, W, Bi, Mo, Cr, Ni, Co, As and U) as well as in organic matter and sulphides are temporarily withheld, suggesting that they may be released to the environment by changes in physico-chemical conditions.     

广东省揭阳市揭东区微量元素分布特征及其影响因素分析

以广东省揭阳市揭东区表层土壤B、Cu、Mn、Zn、Mo 5种元素为研究对象,在分析微量元素含量状况和分布特征的基础上,从成土母质、土地利用方式、pH值和有机质含量4个方面来分析其对土壤微量元素含量的影响。利用GIS空间分析法、SPSS数理统计法和相关分析法对揭东区土壤微量元素含量、空间分布特征和影响因素进行分析。结果显示：揭东区表层土壤B、Cu、Mn元素的平均含量分别为18.0 mg/kg、14.5 mg/kg、313 mg/kg,含量均处于缺乏水平;Zn元素的平均含量为77.3 mg/kg,总体处于较丰富水平;Mo元素的平均含量为1.31 mg/kg,含量丰富。相关分析表明B、Cu、Mn、Zn、Mo均受到成土母质和土地利用方式的影响,在粉砂岩成土母质区土壤中B和Mn含量最高,凝灰岩成土母质区土壤中Cu和Mo含量最高,Zn在第四纪沉积物中含量最高;比较各种利用方式的土壤,B、Cu在农用地中含量最高,Mn、Zn和Mo在建设用地中含量最高;土壤pH值与B、Cu、Mn、Zn含量呈极显著的正相关关系(P<0.01);土壤有机质与B、Cu、Zn含量呈极显著的正相关关系(P<0.001...     

黑龙江省讷河市土壤某些微量元素地球化学特征

根据东北黑土地1：250000土地质量地球化学调查数据，对黑龙江省讷河市土壤中微量元素B、Cu、Mo、Fe、Mn、Zn元素全量和有效态含量分布特征进行了分析研究.结果显示：①土壤表层Mn元素含量丰富，Fe、Mo元素含量较丰富，B、Cu、Zn元素含量较缺乏；②土壤表层微量元素Cu、Fe、Mn、Zn有效态含量丰富，B有效态含量中等，Mo有效态含量缺乏；③黑土剖面中微量元素淋溶淀积程度明显，表现为以淋溶层较低，表层和淀积层较高，而草甸土淋溶淀积不明显.依据土壤中微量元素全量和有效态含量分布特点，应选择施用微量元素肥料，促进农业可持续发展.     

黑龙江省讷河市土壤某些微量元素地球化学特征

根据东北黑土地1：250000土地质量地球化学调查数据,对黑龙江省讷河市土壤中微量元素B、Cu、Mo、Fe、Mn、Zn元素全量和有效态含量分布特征进行了分析研究.结果显示：①土壤表层Mn元素含量丰富,Fe、Mo元素含量较丰富,B、Cu、Zn元素含量较缺乏;②土壤表层微量元素Cu、Fe、Mn、Zn有效态含量丰富,B有效态含量中等,Mo有效态含量缺乏;③黑土剖面中微量元素淋溶淀积程度明显,表现为以淋溶层较低,表层和淀积层较高,而草甸土淋溶淀积不明显.依据土壤中微量元素全量和有效态含量分布特点,应选择施用微量元素肥料,促进农业可持续发展.     

Spatial variability of heavy metals in soils across a valley plain in Southeastern China

An investigation was carried out to survey the magnitude and spatial distribution of heavy metals, as well as their relation with soil series, in a valley plain in Southeastern China. Soil was sampled at 159 sites by combining a squared grid and nested sampling strategies along the transect perpendicular to the Qujiang River in Zhejiang Province, China. Total concentrations of six metals, namely Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, were measured. Classical statistics and geostatistics were used to quantify their spatial characteristics. There was a considerable variation in many of these parameters. The total concentrations ranged from 6.8 to 29.3 mg kg⁻¹ for Cu, 6,784 to 18,678 mg kg⁻¹ for Fe, 94 to 385 mg kg⁻¹ for Mn, 6.1 to 20.3 mg kg⁻¹ for Ni, 25.0 to 49.5 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb, and 12 to 160 mg kg⁻¹ for Zn. Pearson correlation coefficients among total metal concentrations and selected soil properties showed a number of strong associations. By virtue of analysis of variance, a predominant influence of soil series on the spatial variability of metal concentrations was observed. All metals were spatially correlated. The semivariograms of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn were dominated by short range correlation (600 or 700 m), and that of Pb by long range (1200 m). Block kriging maps of total metal concentrations and soil properties showed strip distributions, perpendicular to the river, in the manner similar to the soil series. Principal component analysis was run to identify common distribution patterns of heavy metals and soil properties. These results illustrate that soil series information of valley plain may be useful for developing management zones for site-specific agriculture.     

承德特色林果资源的生态地球化学过程及其品质提升意义

承德南部燕山山地的特色林果资源分布具有明显的地域性,以兴隆—喜峰口断裂为界, “京东板栗”集中于断裂以南片麻岩区,“兴隆山楂”集中于北部白云岩区,厘定主要控制因素对林果资源的品质提升具有重要的意义。文章从地质建造和生态地球化学的视角,分析片麻岩和白云岩建造的元素含量及相关性、研究元素迁聚特征和生物富集性,讨论影响作物品质的主要因素。研究表明:片麻岩建造以斜长石、石英和云母类矿物成分为主,Al₂O₃、Fe₂O₃、K₂O、TiO₂、P₂O₅、Mn、Cu、Zn、Ni、Co元素含量明显高;相应白云岩建造以白云石矿物为主,MgO、CaO元素含量高;基岩-土壤质量迁移系数（τ）值显示片麻岩建造中Se、B、V、S、Mn和Mo元素相对Ti元素富集;白云岩建造中Na₂O、P、Ni元素相对Ti元素富集。板栗生物富集系数为Cu > Zn > Mo > Ni > Mn > Ge > Fe,山楂生物富集系数为Cu > Zn > Ni > Mn > Ge > Fe > Mo。基于板栗、山楂的品质控制生态地质模型,优选山楂的最适宜区面积为497.2 km2,板栗的最适宜区面积为499.01 km2。本研究成果可为地方的农业产业结构优化提供借鉴。     

十三陵盖柿营养成分和产地土壤地球化学特征研究

对十三陵盖柿果的营养成分研究表明,柿果中糖度和维生素C含量高,并且富含钾、钠、钙、镁、铜、锌、铁、锰、磷、硫和硼等矿质元素,主产区泰陵、康陵地区的盖柿品质最优。盖柿产地土壤氧化铁、锰、硼、钼、铜、氧化钙、氧化镁、氧化钾和氧化钠含量高,土壤速效钾、有效铜、有效锌、有效铁和有效锰等养分大部分属于富足状态。     

岩溶区原始林土壤微量元素含量与有效特征

以贵州茂兰、海南俄贤岭、云南西双版纳勐远仙境国家公园和绿石林自然保护区内具有典型岩溶地貌特征的原始林为研究对象,调查岩溶原始林地土壤4种微量元素（Cu、Fe、Mn、Zn）全量和有效态含量。结果表明,岩溶区原始林地土壤全铜、全铁、全锰和全锌含量分别为0.03~0.08 g·kg-1、35.6~57.4 g·kg-1、0.74~5.83 g·kg-1和0.13~1.03 g·kg-1,均超过国家背景值的平均值。研究区土壤Cu、Fe、Mn和Zn有效态含量分别为1.09~3.51 mg·kg-1、11.6~62.9 mg·kg-1、48.3~173 mg·kg-1和4.17~37.6 mg·kg-1,根据土壤微量元素有效态评价标准,4种微量元素有效态含量均处于较高水平。原始林地土壤Cu、Fe、Mn和Zn的活化率均值分别为5.48%、0.10%、6.44%、4.19%,表明岩溶区森林土壤Cu、Mn和Zn供素水平高,Fe供素水平低。4个原始林地土壤微量元素有效性综合指数（Et）为茂兰（21.0）>绿石林（12.8）≈勐远（12.7）>俄贤岭（5.15）,且Et与全氮和有机碳含量呈显著的正相关。      

Metal contamination of soils at Scott Base,Antarctica

Soil samples taken from excavated pits on traverses across New Zealand’s Scott Base, Antarctica, were leached with water and 0.01 M HNO₃ and the leachates analysed for Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. The soils had high conductivity and pH values generally increasing with depth and in the range 8.3–10.1. The water leachate generally contained most of the extractable metals except Mn and Cd, and As. Linear relationships were observed between some metals leached into alkaline solution and the Fe in those solutions. The ratios to Fe were comparable to those of the host basanite, and this observation is interpreted as showing that these metals are incorporated in fine mineral particulates derived directly from the rock mass. Outliers in leachable metal concentrations in the soils indicated appreciable contamination of the soil from anthropogenic sources with Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn as well as As. In some locations high concentrations of Ag and Cd correspond to specific sources and drainage channels. High concentrations of Pb were widely spread and in the top soil layers whereas the elevated concentrations of Zn were distributed throughout the soil profiles indicating atmospheric sources and different mobilities within the soils. Transport within the soils is evident for some metals, as is lateral movement over and through the soils.     

Heavy metal relationships in a Pennsylvania soil

Soils of loamy sand on weathered, sandy dolomite were cored from six holes up to 70 ft beneath a municipal waste landfill in central Pennsylvania. Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Ag were determined in exchangeable and non-exchangeable forms in total and < 15 μm soil samples. Most of these metals were bound in Mn oxides, non-exchangeable with 0.5 M CaCl₂. The Mn oxides (often X-ray amorphous) identified when crystalline as todorokite occurred chiefly as coatings on quartz grains.Somewhat higher amounts of acid leachable trace metals were found in the < 15 μm size fraction than in the total soil samples; however, trace metal/Mn ratios were similar in both. In general, the initial mild soil leaching, which dissolved chiefly Mn oxides, gave MnFeX>Co>Ni>Pb>Zn> Cu>Cd>Ag. The final leaching, which dissolved chiefly ferric oxides, gave Fe>Mn>Ni>Zn>Co> Cu>Pb>Cd>Ag. Samples taken from an unpolluted site and from the same soils affected for seven years by leachate from the refuse had similar metal contents.Soil extractable Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn could be predicted from the Mn extracted. Based in part on factor analysis of the data, Mn-rich oxides had at least tenfold higher heavy metal percentages than Fe-rich oxides (crystalline component goethite), reflecting their greater coprecipitation potential. Because of this potential and because of the generally higher solubility of Mn than Fe oxides, more heavy metals may be released from Mn-rich than from Fe-rich soils by disposal of organic-bearing wastes. However, leaching of the moisture-unsaturated soils in situ is rarely severe enough to completely dissolve both Mn and Fe oxides. Based on the Mn content, Cd, Cu, and Pb were depleted in soil moisture beneath the landfill relative to their amounts in the soil. This depletion may reflect factors including heterogeneity in metal content of the soil oxides; preferential resorption of these metals; and removal of the Cd, Cu, and Pb as organic precipitates or as inorganic precipitates such as carbonates.     

Spatial distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in surface soils of Hassi Messaoud, Algeria

An increase in heavy metal pollution in the soils of Hassi Messaoud (Algeria) due to intense industrialization and urbanization has become a serious environmental problem. There are three large industrial complexes that have been established in the region of Hassi Messaoud for petroleum extraction field and refinery. The region hosts several industrial facilities which are the main sources for hazardous wastes. Surface soil samples from 58 sampling sites (systematically sampled; 1 × 1 km regular grid), including different functional areas in Hassi Messaoud, were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the average concentrations of Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn in soil of Hassi Messaoud were up to 13.17, 35.78, 121.21, 130.97 and 61.08 mg/kg, respectively. Ni concentrations were comparable to background values, while Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations were higher than their corresponding background values. Among the functional areas, the industrial regions displayed the highest metal concentrations, while the lowest concentrations occurred in rural soil. Principal component analysis coupled with cluster analysis showed that: (1) Pb and Zn had anthropogenic sources; and (2) Ni, Cu and Mn were associated with parent materials. Contaminations in soils were classified as geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor. Pollution index values of Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn varied in the range of 0.04–5.41, 0.46–2.49, 0.01–5.73, 0.62–152.9 and 0.09–53.01, with mean values of 1.32, 1.08, 1.26, 5.64 and 3.1, respectively. The integrated pollution index (IPI) of all the analyzed samples varied from 0.42 to 31.59, with a mean of 2.48, and more than 5.45 % of samples are extremely contaminated; 18.18 % are heavily contaminated; 60 % are moderately contaminated; and others are low contaminated. The spatial distribution of IPI showed that desert and rural areas displayed relatively lower heavy metal contamination in comparison with other areas.     

土壤、农作物中及家畜体内的微量营养元素

微量营养元素通常富集在表层土壤中,其含量随土层深度递减。尽管土壤中大多数微量元素的含量很高,但只有一小部分能被植物吸收。微量营养元素,也被称为痕迹元素,所需数量微小,但其缺乏会对农作物生产和动物健康造成严重影响。农作物对不同微量营养元素有着不同的反应。芸苔和豆类对Mo和B有较高的响应度,而玉米和其他谷类对Zn和Cu较为敏感。在温润和湿热地区,由于强降雨和强淋溶作用,微量营养元素缺乏较为普遍。土壤pH值是影响微量营养元素对植物有效性的重要因素之一。除Mo以外,微量营养元素的有效性随pH的增加而减小,Mo的有效性随pH的增加而增加。对于大多数植物来说,叶片中的微量营养元素含量高于植物的其他部分。因此,可以用叶片作为样品来测定农作物中微量营养元素的含量。大多数微量营养元素缺乏表现在植物顶部的新叶上,而过量则表现在老叶上。根据Deckers和Steinnes的结论,土壤较为贫瘠的发展中国家与土壤肥沃的欧洲及北美地区相比,微量营养元素缺乏现象较为普遍。许多营养元素缺乏区位于潮湿的热带地区,土壤极度贫瘠、高度风化和/或强淋溶,营养元素十分匮乏。此类其他土壤分部于半干旱及毗邻地区,这些地区的碱性和石灰性土壤条件严重限制了微量营养素对植物的供给。通常,可以满足草料作物生长的Cu、 Fe、Mn、 Zn 、Se含量水平,却不能满足家畜的需要。Se是植物生长所不需要的微量元素,因此草料作物中Se的含量很少。然而,如果动物所食农作物和草料中Se含量偏低,会造成严重的肌肉异常和其他疾病。白肌病是最常见的由于Se缺乏造成的疾病,在牛犊和羔羊中都有发现。本文讨论了与动物需求相关的农作物微量营养元素充足度。     

土壤中元素有效态分析质量管理实践

根据土壤中Cu、Pb、Zn、Co、Fe、Mn、Cd、K、Ca、Mg、P和Mo12种元素有效态测定偏差的来源和偏差分布，探讨土壤元素有效态测试结果允许的“偏差范围”及“质量管理办法”。     

Assessment of spatial distribution and possible sources of heavy metals in the soils of Sariseki-Dörtyol District in Hatay Province (Turkey)

In this study, total heavy metal content of soil and their spatial distribution in Sar?seki-Dörtyol district were analyzed and mapped. Variable distance grids (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 km) were established, with a total of 102 soil samples collected from two different soil depths (0–5 and 5–20 cm) at intersections of the grids (51 sampling point). Soil samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Ni). The most proper variogram models for the contents of all heavy metal were spherical and exponential ones. The ranges of semivariograms were between 1.9 and 31.1 km. According to the calculated geoaccumulation (I _geo) values, samples from both soil depths were classified as partly to highly polluted with Cd and Ni and partly polluted with Cr and as partly polluted-to-not polluted with Pb and not polluted with Cu, Fe and Mn. Similar results were also obtained when evaluated by the enrichment factor. The contamination levels of the heavy metals were Ni > Cd > Cr > Pb > Zn > Cu > Co > Fe > Mn in decreasing order. The soils in the study area are contaminated predominantly by Cd and Ni, which may give rise to various health hazards or diseases. Cadmium pollution results primarily from industrial activities and, to a lesser extent, from vehicular traffic, whereas Ni contents in the study area result from parent material, phosphorus fertilizer, industries, and vehicles.     

Using GIS and statistics to study influences of geology on probability features of surface soil geochemistry in Northern Ireland

The probability features of non-normality and non-lognormality are widely observed in geochemistry due to the influences of multiple factors that are difficult to quantify and model. In Northern Ireland, the pseudo-total concentrations of 14 elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb and Zn) from 6138 topsoils were measured, and GIS mapping showed that the spatial distribution of these data were in line with the spatial distribution of geology in the area. Investigations into the influences of geology on the concentration data and their probability features were carried out using GIS and statistics in this study. The whole raw data sets for each element were positively skewed and none of them followed either normal or lognormal distributions. Logarithmic transformation was found to have “over-transformed” most of the data sets, changing their skewness from positive to negative values. When soil samples were classified by rock type using a GIS overlay function, obvious differences were observed in the chemical concentrations of soils derived from different rock types. Soils in basalt areas displayed the highest concentrations for most elements under study (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P and Zn) but the lowest concentrations for K, while the highest levels for Cd and Pb occurred in the shale areas. Classifying soils by rock type produced more normally distributed data sets, especially for the igneous rock areas. To restrain the influence of soil type and land cover, samples from both gleys and pastures were extracted via a GIS and it was found the data sets then showed generally greater tendencies towards normality. However, many of the data sets would still not pass a test for normality unless the sample size was small (e.g. of the order of a couple of hundreds). Geology, soil type, land cover and sample size all played important roles in determining soil chemical concentrations and their probability features. However, the influences from other factors were still evident. Attempts made in this study show that it remains a challenging task in geochemistry to separate all the factors and to model their influence at the regional scale.