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eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Spatial Variability and Influencing Factors
of Soil P and K in a High-Altitude Mining
Area: A Case Study in Southwest China
1
Sichuan Gold Group CO., LTD. Chengdu 610000, PR
2
Sichuan Natural Resources Pengcheng Geological Engineering Technology CO., LTD. Chengdu 610000, PR China
Submission date: 2026-01-18
Final revision date: 2026-05-09
Acceptance date: 2026-06-19
Online publication date: 2026-10-15
Corresponding author
Yu Chen
Sichuan Rongda Mining Group Co., Ltd, SICHUAN GOLD GROUP CO.,LTD., No. 198 Tongji Qiaoxia Street, Huayang Street, Shu, 610000, Cheng du, China
Sichuan Rongda Mining Group Co., Ltd, SICHUAN GOLD GROUP CO.,LTD., No. 198 Tongji Qiaoxia Street, Huayang Street, Shu, 610000, Cheng du, China
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The spatial variation and influencing factors of various forms of P and K in soil from a high-altitude
mining area were assessed using a combination of traditional statistical and geostatistical methods.
The primary factors affecting the distributions of P and K were identified using correlation analysis.
The mean total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), inorganic phosphorus (IP), total potassium
(TK), quick-release potassium (AK), and slow-release potassium (SAK) were 1280.78 mg kg-1,
8.99 mg kg-1, 554.04 mg kg-1, 15358.60 mg kg-1, 215.14 mg kg-1, and 1381.70 mg kg-1, respectively.
The coefficients of variation ranged from 44.79% to 80.89%, indicating that all parameters exhibited
strong variation intensity. The block-to-base ratio of semivariance varied from 0.00% to 24.53%,
indicating strong spatial autocorrelation. Moran’s I analysis revealed significant spatial clustering for TP
and TK. However, the spatial distributions of AP, IP, and SAK may be random. Soil pH was negatively
correlated with TP and AP, positively correlated with IP, and not correlated with TK, AK, or SAK.
SOM was positively correlated with TP and AP and significantly negatively correlated with IP and TK,
but not with AK or SAK. Cation exchange capacity was significantly positively correlated with TP, but
significantly negatively correlated with TK. Except for IP, there was no significant correlation between
soil particle composition and the various forms of P and K. Elevation and aspect had no effect on the
distribution of various forms of P and K. NDVI was significantly positively correlated with TP and AP
and negatively correlated with IP and TK. Mining activities can strongly affect the availability of P
and K. These results have practical significance for soil management and ecological restoration
in high-altitude mining areas.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
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