Distribution and controlling factors of selenium in weathered soil in Kaiyang County,Southwest China

Selenium is one of the life-related elements. Survey reveals that selenium enrichment in the studied strata from Kaiyang County is considered to be closely related to the following factors: regional black shale series in Niutitang Formation of Early Cambrian, strong adsorption of organic matter (OM), magmatic hydrothermal migrate along the deep fault, mixing and migration of hydrothermal brine, regional uranium mineralization and presence of a great deal sulfides. For selenium enrichment in its weathered soil and crops, the reason responsible is selenium-enriched bedrock, which provides material sources for weathering profile and is considered as the main controlling factor of selenium content in the soil profile. After leaching and migrates downwards, organic carbon (OC) adsorption, iron-manganese layer adsorption, geochemical barrier role, selenium content in different profiles, there are mainly three types of distribution features: bottom enrichment type, top enrichment type and no significant enrichment type. Comprehensive analyses find that selenium enrichment area is mainly distributed in the Machang, Gaoyun-Fengsan-Guanpo, Baimadong, Chuandong-Hefeng-Shaoshang and Longgang-Gaozhai region, etc. Besides, around the east part of the county, in Huali and Yongxing selenium are relatively scarce.