Characteristics of heavy metals in soils under different land use in a typical karst area, Southwest China

This study investigated the distribution of six pollutant elements(Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As), and their relationship to soil organic carbon(SOC) in five soil profiles in the Puding area. Results show SOC content decreased exponentially to the depth of soil profiles; the vertical distribution patterns of SOC in soil profiles were partially controlled by land use. The concentrations of these pollutant elements in most soils were lower than background values, indicating that the local soil was less likely to be contaminated by foreign inputs. Geo-accumulation index values of these elements in most soil samples were less than 1, suggesting that the soil of this area may not be polluted. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, As, and Zn in soils from all land use types were significantly negatively correlated with SOC contents. Geochemical approaches confirmed that the soil of this area was less influenced by pollutant elements.