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| Spatial characteristics and factors affecting topsoil trace elements in Qinling-Bashan Mountainous Area: A case study of Zhenba County |
| (College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi，China) |
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Abstract We analyzed the content, spatial distribution and factors affecting topsoil trace elements in Qinling-Bashan Mountainous Area and provided a theoretical basis for the effective use and management of soil element fertilizer. Based on the data of the Cultivated Land Productivity Investigation and Quality Evaluation Project of Shaanxi Province (2010), we applied geostatistics in combination with GIS to analyze the spatial variability and factors affecting soil available Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in Zhenba County, Shaanxi Province. The variation coefficient of these soil trace elements was between 81.38% and 117.09%. Zn had strong variability, while Fe, Mn and Cu had medium variability. Every trace element was moderately dependent. The high content of soil trace elements occurred in the southern part of the study area and the low content in the western part. Intrinsic and random factors were the major driving forces of the distribution of trace elements. Intrinsic factors included the characteristics of soils, topography, annual precipitation and the like, while random factors encompassed cropping system, village distance, etc. In Zhenba County, the content of soil available Cu and Fe was high, the content of soil available Zn was moderate, and the proportion of soil available Mn was low as 19.4%. The application of micronutrient fertilizer should take farming systems, soil types and the level of trace elements content into consideration.
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Received: 23 April 2013
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