Abstract:

This study investigated chemical element concentrations in calcite, calcareous soil and restored plants in a limestone rocky desertification area in Huaxi, Guizhou Province. Results showed that pH value was 9.38, concentrations of total P and K were low while that of total Ca and Mg were high, and the microelement concentrations was ranked in the order of Fe>Pb>Ni>Mn>Co>Cu>Zn>Cd in calcite. In calcareous soil, the pH value was around 7.53～7.98. The concentrations of organic matter, total N and P were higher in forestland than in bare land. The concentrations of available N and P were very low with the value of 0.47%～1.18% and 0.8%～1.5% respectively. Total K concentration in calcareous soil was also lower, but available K concentration (251.81mg·kg^-1) in forest soil was higher than that K-rich soils (>155 mg·kg^-1), so the limestone soil is classified as a K rich soil. The concentrations of total Ca and Mg were higher in bare land than in forestland. The microelement concentrations in limestone soil was ranked in the order of Fe >Mn>Pb>Zn>Ni >Cu >Co>Cd. The concentrations of total Pb, Zn and Cu were not higher the third State standards so that vegetation restoration was feasible in calcareous soil. The concentrations of different elements in the plants grew in calcareous soil had great difference, so were the changes of the same element concentrations in different plants.

Key words: rocky desertification, calcite, calcareous soil, restored plants, chemical elements concentration, Guizhou