Spatial variability of soil properties in relation to land use and topography in a typical small watershed of the black soil region,northeastern China

Soil degradation resulted from unreasonable land use and erosion has been a serious problem in the black soil region of northeastern China. This paper seeks to understand the relationships between topsoil properties and topography and land use for land management targeting at improving soil quality in this region. A total of 292 soil samples and 81 volumetric rings were taken from a typical small watershed of the region in June 2005 for examining total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), soil texture (classified into gravel, sand, silt, and clay), and bulk density (ρ _b), respectively. Spatial variability of these soil properties was evaluated with classical statistics and geostatistics methods. The results of classical statistics indicated that TC, TN, sand, silt, clay content, and ρ _b were moderate variables while gravel had great variability. Soil properties were mainly correlated to slope position, elevation and land types. Geostatistical analyses showed that the spatial autocorrelation for TC, TN, and silt was weak, strong for clay and moderate for and ρ _b sand, respectively. The spatial variations of soil properties are affected comprehensively by topographic factors, land use, erosion, and erosion control in this watershed. Past erosion, however, is the most important component to induce change of soil properties. In this small watershed, current soil and water conservation measures play an important role in controlling soil loss. But the restoration of soil properties was unsatisfactory. Comparing with untilled soil of this region, TC, TN, silt content are excessively low; whereas ρ _b, sand and clay content are excessively high; gravel appears at most sampling locations. It is necessary for improving soil properties to protect forest and grassland and change cultivation system of farmlands.     

Spatial and seasonal distributions of soil phosphorus in a typical seasonal flooding wetland of the Yellow River Delta,China

Soil samples from 0 to 100 cm depth were collected in four sampling sites (Sites A, B, C and D) along a 250-m length of sampling zone from the Yellow River channel to a tidal creek in a seasonal flooding wetland of the Yellow River Delta of China in fall of 2007 and spring of 2008 to investigate spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of total phosphorous (TP) and available phosphorus (AP) and their influencing factors. Our results showed that TP contents in spring and AP contents in both seasons in surface soils increased with increasing distances away from the Yellow River channel. TP contents in surface soils (0–10 cm) followed the order Site A (698.6 mg/kg) > Site B (688.0 mg/kg) > Site C (638.8 mg/kg) > Site D (599.2 mg/kg) in fall, while Site C (699.6 mg/kg) > Site D (651.7 mg/kg) > Site B (593.6 mg/kg) > Site A (577.5 mg/kg) in spring. Generally, lower TP content (630.6 mg/kg) and higher AP level (6.2 mg/kg) in surface soils were observed in spring compared to fall (656.2 mg/kg for TP and 5.2 mg/kg for AP). Both TP and AP exhibited similar profile distribution patterns and decreased with depth along soil profiles with one or two accumulation peaks at the depth of 40–80 cm. Although the mean TP content in soil profiles was slightly higher in spring (635.7 mg/kg) than that in fall (628.0 mg/kg), the mean TP stock was obviously lower in spring (959.9 g/m²) with an obvious accumulation at the 60–80 cm soil depth compared to fall (1124.6 g/m²). Topsoil concentration factors also indicated that TP and AP had shallower distribution in soil profiles. Correlation analysis showed that AP had significant and positive correlation with these soil properties such as soil organic matter, salinity, total nitrogen and Al (p < 0.01), but TP was just significantly correlated with TN and Al (p < 0.05).     

Spatial variability of soil nitrogen and phosphorus of a mixed forest ecosystem in Beijing,China

Spatial patterns of soil nutrient (N and P) were examined using geostatistical analysis in three different soil horizons (A, B, C) in a mixed forest in Beijing China. Soil nutrients (total nitrogen or TN, total phosphorous or TP, and available nitrogen or AN) were high near the surface and lower with depth. In general, the spatial correlation in soil nutrient content varied by depth. Soil nutrient content was also strongly influenced by vegetation type and elevation. These results consist of a set of simple statistical models that could provide information for the planning of the forest management and long-time research in this area.     

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 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.     

Non-point source pollution of Wujiang River watershed in Guizhou Province, SW China

The amount of pollution from non-point sources flowing in the streams of the Wujiang River watershed in Guizhou Province, SW China, is estimated by a GIS-based method using rainfall, surface runoff and land use data. A grid of cells, 100 m in size, is laid over the landscape. For each cell, mean annual surface runoff is estimated from rainfall and percent land use, and expected pollutant concentration is estimated from land use. The product of surface runoff and concentration gives expected pollutant loading from that cell. These loadings are accumulated going downstream to give expected annual pollutant loadings in streams and rivers. By dividing these accumulated loadings by the similarly accumulated mean annual surface runoff, the expected pollutant concentration from non-point sources is determined for each location in a stream or river. Observed pollutant concentrations in the watershed are averaged at each sample point and compared to the expected concentrations at the same locations determined from the grid cell model. In general, annual non-point source nutrient loadings in the Wujiang River watershed are seen to be predominantly from the agricultural and meadow areas.     

典型岩溶峰丛洼地坡面土壤水分空间变异性

采用网格法测量典型坡面上旱季（12月）和雨季（5月）的表层(0~5 cm)土壤含水量,以地统计学方法分析其空间变异性,结果表明:（1）与单一土地利用坡面相比,人为扰动强、土地利用多样的岩溶峰丛坡地表层土壤含水量表现为坡上未被扰动的自然植被区明显高于坡下人为改造的区域;旱季时坡地林地表层土壤平均含水量（32.8%）明显高于位于坡下的梯田空闲地（24.2%）、梯田橘园（20.0%）、梯田菜园（22.0%）、坡地裸地（23.5%）;雨季时,坡地裸地（30.2%）和梯田橘园（32.1%）有明显增大,梯田空闲地（17.8%）剧烈减小,坡地林地（32.2%）土壤含水量依然最高;（2）旱、雨季整个坡面上空间结构比分别为21.0%、8.7%,表现为雨季的空间相关性更好;旱、雨季表层土壤含水量变异系数分别为20.1%和31.7%,属中等程度变异;雨季表层土壤含水量的变程（77.5 m）显著高于旱季（8.0 m）,雨季的土壤含水量具有较好的空间变异结构;（3）裸岩周围空间的土壤含水量随与裸岩的距离增大而减小,梯田石坎周围空间的土壤含水量随与梯田石坎的距离增大而递减。      

漓江流域表层土壤水分物理性质空间异质性

为了解漓江流域土壤水分空间变化特征及其影响因素,基于2'经纬网格,采用地统计学方法对该流域表层（0~10 cm）土壤水分物理性质的空间变异进行分析。结果表明:从空间结构比上,漓江流域表层土壤含水量、容重、最大和最小持水量均具有高度的空间自相关性（各指标空间结构比均大于0.87）,且其空间分布趋势基本一致,由流域上游向中下游逐渐变化。土地利用对流域表层土壤水分物理性质及其空间变异具有显著影响。受时间尺度和土地利用类型等因素的影响,漓江流域表层土壤含水量相比其他土壤水分物理性质,其空间异质性由随机引起的空间变异增加,空间自相关减小,为0.87;而土壤容重最大,为0.92。相关结果对于漓江流域土壤水分动态模拟与预测研究具有一定参考价值。     

Spatial heterogeneity of soil organic matter and soil total nitrogen in a Mollisol watershed of Northeast China

The spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients influences crop yield and the environment. Previous research has focused mainly on the surface layer, with little research being carried out on the deep soil layers, where high root density is highly related to crop growth. In the study, 610 soil samples were collected from 122 soil profiles (0–60 cm) in a random-sample method. Both geostatistics and traditional statistics were used to describe the spatial variability of soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (TN) deeper in the soil profile (0–60 cm) with high root density from a typical Mollisol watershed of Northeast China. Also, the SOM and TN in farmland and forest (field returned to forest over 10 years) areas was compared. The spatial autocorrelations of SOM at 0–50 cm depth and TN at 30–60 cm depth were strong, and were mainly influenced by structural factors. Compared to farmland, SOM and TN were typically lower in the 0–30 cm depth of the forest areas, while they were higher in the 30–60 cm depth. As well, both SOM and TN decreased from the 0–20 cm layer to the 30–40 cm layer, and then discontinues, while they continuously decreased with increasing soil depth in the farmland. SOM and TN were typically higher at the gently sloped summit of the watershed and part of the bottom of the slope than at mid-slope positions at the 0–30 cm depth. SOM and TN were lower on the back slope at the 30–60 cm depth, but were higher at the bottom of the slope. Also, the spatial distribution of the carbon storage and nitrogen storage were all highest at the bottom of the slope and part of the summit, while they were lowest in most of back slope in depth of 0–60 cm, and mainly caused by soil loss and deposition. SOM at 0–60 cm and TN at 0–40 cm greater than the sufficiency level for crop growth (3.7–79.2 and 0.09–3.09 g kg^?1, respectively) covered 99 % of the total area, yet for TN, over 35 % of the total area was less than the insufficiency level at the 40–60 cm depth. Generally, accurately predicting SOM and TN is nearly impossible when based only on soil loss by water, although the fact that variability is influenced by elevation, soil loss, deposition and steepness, was shown in this research. Nitrogen fertilizer and manure application were needed, especially in conjunction with conservation tillage in special conditions and specific areas such as the back slope, where soil loss was severe and the deep soil that lacked TN was exposed at the surface.     

Spatial variations and distributions of phosphorus and nitrogen in bottom sediments from a typical north-temperate lake,China

Concentrations and vertical distributions of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and their different forms in sediments obtained from nine locations of Lake Dalinouer in September 2008 were analyzed. The results demonstrated that TP in surface sediments ranged from 0.493 to 0.904 g/kg, and inorganic phosphorus was the main fraction of total phosphorus, ranging from 335 to 738 mg/kg. Simultaneously, the autogenetic calcium phosphorus (ACa-P) was the main fraction of inorganic phosphorus, ranging from 145.4 to 543.2 mg/kg. Vertical distribution of different phosphorus forms in different sediment cores was distinguishing, and most of them tended to increase toward the surface sediment, indicated that the phosphorus concentration was related to the humanity with a certain extent. The relationships between TP and occluded phosphorus and ACa-P were significant. Nitrogen in the sediment was composed mainly of organic nitrogen, accounting for grater than 80 % of TN. NO₃ ^?-N was the dominate fraction of inorganic nitrogen in the surface sediment, ranging between 51 and 346 mg/kg (151.1 ± 104.4 mg/kg), and accounting for between 2.2 and 17.7 % of total sediment nitrogen (6.2 ± 5.6 %). The ratio of organic carbon and TN in sediment was in range of 6.0–25.8 and presented a tendency of lake centre >lake sides, indicating that nitrogen accumulated in the sediments from lake sides came mainly from terrestrial source and nitrogen was mainly autogenetic in lake centre. Ratio of N:P in all sampling sites was below 14, indicated that N was the limiting nutrient for algal growth in this lake.     

石灰性土壤中有效磷的电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定

方法采用0.5 mol/L NaHCO3浸提石灰性土壤中的有效磷,电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定。研究了土壤滤液的酸化、颜色、浸提温度以及振荡时间等对浸提结果的影响,方法检出限(3s)为0.18 mg/kg,定量限(6s)为0.36 mg/kg,通过对石灰性土壤有效态标准物质GBW07413a、GBW07459和GBW07460的12次测定,方法准确度和精密度均小于4.5%。     

Spatial variability of soil moisture at typical alpine meadow and steppe sites in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau permafrost region

Permafrost degradation has the potential to significantly change soil moisture. The objective of this study was to assess the variability of soil moisture in a permafrost region using geostatistical techniques. The experiment was conducted in August 2008 in alpine steppe and meadow located in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau permafrost region. Four soil depths (0–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 cm) were analyzed using frequency domain reflectometry, and sampling made of 80 points in a 10 m × 10 m grid were sampled. Soil moisture was analyzed using classical statistics to appropriately describe central tendency and dispersion, and then using geostatistics to describe spatial variability. Classical statistical method indicated that soil moisture in the permafrost region had a normal distribution pattern. Mean surface soil moisture in alpine meadow was higher than that in alpine steppe. The semivariograms showed that soil moisture variability in alpine cold steppe was larger than that in alpine meadow, which decreased with depths. Nugget values in alpine steppe were low (0.1–4.5), in contrast to alpine cold meadow. Soil moisture in alpine steppe had highly structured spatial variability with more than 93.4% spatial heterogeneity, and the range decreased with depth. Soil moisture content in alpine cold meadow had a moderate spatial dependence with a range of 51.3–169.2 m, increasing with depth.     

Possible factors controlling the distribution of phosphorus in the sediment of Longgan Lake,middle reach of Yangtze River,China

Major elements [aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn)] and phosphorus (P) as well as its fractions in the sediment of Longgan Lake, a shallow lake in the middle reach of Yangtze River, China, were investigated to assess the effect of factors such as the grain size, organic matter (OM), and redox conditions on the behavior of P. Meanwhile, the anthropogenic impact on the P accumulation during the last century was distinguished from the natural one. The grain size, redox conditions, and major elements had close relationship with inorganic P, while there was a significant correlation between organic P and OM. Different relationships between Ca-bound P and Ca in the sediment indicated the anthropogenic Ca source besides the natural one. The marked anthropogenic impact on the lake was detected since 1950 ad, while it significantly intensified since 1970 ad. This change corresponded well to the history of the reclamation, constructions of dams, and reservoirs, the utilization of phosphate fertilizers, and the utilization of lime to kill off schistosomes. The P flux was applied to distinguish the anthropogenic versus natural P accumulation. Before 1950 ad, the natural P inputs by soil erosion, runoff, and so on, were the main source of P in the sediment, while thereafter the increasing human activity in the catchment resulted in more extra P or so-called anthropogenic P accumulation.     

黄河源区新构造运动对生态环境恶化的影响

基于黄河源区1：25万生态环境地质调查新获得的大量实际资料,通过分析和研究发现,黄河源区早更新世一中更新世处于走滑伸展的大陆动力学背景,在整体隆升中,形成断块山与拉分盆地,湖泊广布;晚更新世,大陆动力学机制过渡为挤压收缩,在整体抬升中,断块山显著崛起,湖盆萎缩、变形;全新世,大陆动力学环境反转为走滑挤压,持续隆升,黄河扩展源头到达本区,扎陵湖、鄂陵湖外泄,闭流盆地水环境转向开放。近代,特别是20世纪70年代以来,新构造活化与寒冻风化岩屑坡扩大、沙质荒漠化蔓延、湖泊和沼泽湿地萎缩、区域地下水位下降、源区黄河频繁断流、生态环境日益恶化响应关系密切。因此,新构造运动在黄河源区生态环境恶化中起主导作用,而其他因素则起到促进与加速的作用。     

Impact of land-use change on soil properties in a typical karst agricultural region of Southwest China: a case study of Xiaojiang watershed, Yunnan

Xiaojiang watershed is a typical karst agricultural region of Yunan Province, China. A case study of land-use changes documents changes of soil properties from 1982 to 2003. The results are as follows: (1) The total land use transformed covers 610.12 km², of which land use changed from unused land into cultivated land and forestland, and forestland into cultivated land during the past 20 years in Xiaojiang watershed. (2) The rapid growth of population and economic development were the main driving forces of cultivated land increase. (3) Soil properties showed modification owing to different land-use changes. The contents of the soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus in 2003 were significantly lower than that in 1982 after the forestland and unused land were transformed into the cultivated land, but the soil pH increased significantly in 2003. Organic matter, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus for shorter-time reforestation land declined, but the pH increased. Soil properties have improved significantly after cropland was transformed into orchard land. The organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available nitrogen, and available phosphorus declined significantly, but pH increased significantly after rock desertification.     

福建晋江流域锰负荷分布及源区识别

以福建晋江流域锰元素为研究对象,将整个流域划分为60个子流域并在各子流域出口处设置水质监测断面,分别于丰水期和枯水期对断面锰浓度进行取样测试,研究锰浓度的时空分布特征。结合流量监测和降水资料,利用水文比拟法计算并总结锰负荷的空间分布,基于锰负荷贡献率进行了锰源区识别。结果表明：丰水期锰浓度普遍高于枯水期,西溪锰浓度总体高于东溪。受矿山开采影响,全年锰浓度最大值位于上游双溪与大畬溪交汇处。锰负荷丰水期远高于枯水期,且具有随径流向下游聚集的趋势,最大值位于晋江流域最下游入海口断面。识别出的锰源区主要位于西溪流域以及干流下游临入海口子流域,应在今后的环境综合治理工作中重点关注。     

Cosmogenic nuclide constraints on glacial chronology in the source area of the Urumqi River,Tian Shan,China

Cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating of boulders and erratics provides new constraints for a glacial chronology in the source area of the Urumqi River, Tian Shan, China. ¹⁰Be exposure ages of 15.0 ± 1.3–17.1 ± 1.5 ka from the Upper Wangfeng (UWF) moraines agree well with their previous relative age assignments to marine isotope stage (MIS) 2, but are younger than published AMS ¹⁴C and electron spin resonance (ESR) ages (from 22.8 ± 0.6 to 37.4 ka). This difference may result from variations in techniques, or could reflect the impact of surface erosion and sediment/snow cover on surface exposure dating. ¹⁰Be ages from the Lower Wangfeng (LWF) moraines (18.7 ± 1.8 and 16.2 ± 1.5 ka) are indistinguishable from the UWF exposure ages, but are significantly younger than previously reported thermoluminescence (TL) and ESR ages (37.7 ± 2.6–184.7 ± 18 ka). Either these two groups were formed during the same period (MIS 2) and there are problems with TL and ESR ages, or the moraines were of very different ages and the similar exposure ages result from different degrees of degradation. Erratics on rock steps and a drumlin along >8 km of the main glacial valley above the UWF have internally consistent and slightly decreasing ¹⁰Be exposure ages indicating glacier retreat >2.5 m a^?1 after MIS 2 and before middle or late Holocene glacier re‐advances. This retreat rate is similar to rates observed from modern glaciers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.