Spatial Distribution and Variation of Soil Cu Environmental Background Value in Guangdong

In this study, total of 261 soil profiles were reported to investigate the Cu spatial distribution and vertical variation in Guangdong province using geography information system (GIS) and geostatistics. Findings indicated that the Cu geometric mean concentration of 11.2 mg/kg in surface soils is lower than those in China, which ranged from 0.12-98 mg/kg. The influence of soil properties on Cu concentration was not important. In A- B- to C-horizon soil Cu spatial distribution presented similar patterns that high Cu concentration mainly located in fault, basin, and delta areas, indicating that soil Cu distribution was dependent on regional basin. Moreover, from A- to C-horizon Cu mean concentrations had an increasing tendency of 17.35, 18.99 to 20.65mg/kg. Regional extensive distribution of granite and the fault mainly decided the spatial distribution of Cu concentration. Soil organic matter and clay content also, to a certain extent, affected the spatial distribution of Cu concentration.