Trace element contents and correlation in surface soils in China's eastern alluvial plains

A study investigating the contents of 13 trace elements and the correlations between these trace elements and soil parameters of the surface soils in the eastern alluvial plains of China is summarized and discussed in this paper. The results show that the contents of some elements studied differ from region to region. Close relations have been noted between all the trace element contents in the soils of the eastern alluvial plains and the relevant surface materials of erosion regions, which demonstrate the effects of parent materials, while climatic conditions and human interventions are also found to be important factors. Close relations were found between the transition elements of the Quaternary period and the chalcophile elements (except Cu). The chemical and geochemical properties of these elements are identified as beeing important inherent characteristics that affect the relations of these elements in the soils.