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Soil geochemistry changes induced by a foreign soil reconstruction project in Three Gorges Reservoir region of China

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Abstract

Fertile topsoil was added onto the surface of barren slope land in Three Gorges Reservoir region of China in an anthropogenic process known as the foreign soil reconstruction project. The main goal of this paper was to reveal the influence of anthropogenic activities on pedogenic processes and soil classifications. Chemical weathering indices and comparative analysis were applied to discuss changes in geochemical compositions and weathering features of purplish soils (Cambisols) before and after the project. Results showed that: (l) The foreign soil reconstruction project slightly altered the major element composition of topsoil and improved the soil structure. Although the distributions of major elements in the original topsoil, original subsoil, foreign topsoil and newly constructed topsoil were all similar to that in upper continental crust, newly constructed topsoil was the most similar soil. (2) The chemical index of alteration was more sensitive than the weathering index of Parker at indicating chemical weathering status of purplish soil. The chemical weathering status of newly constructed topsoil was higher than that of the original topsoil and lower than that of foreign topsoil. (3) Anthropogenic activities may provide a promising new thought for the anthropogenic soil classification system. The scope and subgroups of Anthrosols should be extended and strengthened. Or there may be a need to combine Anthrosols and Technosols orders to create a new soil order. The results may be used for optimizing soil mellowing engineering activities and enriching the soil classification system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Juan Liu, Chao-Fu Wei & Jing Du

  2. Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing, 400055, China

    You-Jin Luo

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  1. Juan Liu
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  2. Chao-Fu Wei
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Correspondence to Chao-Fu Wei.

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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5316-1316

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3741-670X

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Liu, J., Wei, CF., Luo, YJ. et al. Soil geochemistry changes induced by a foreign soil reconstruction project in Three Gorges Reservoir region of China. J. Mt. Sci. 12, 1511–1520 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-014-3285-9

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