Distribution and geochemical baselines of major, minor and trace elements in tropical topsoils of the Terengganu River basin, Malaysia

摘要: Abstract This study reports on the physico-chemical properties and concentrations of major, minor trace elements (Si, Al, Fe, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Ti, Ba, Mn, Cr, Sr, Zr, Zn, Ni, Y, Li, Cu, Co, Nb, Ga, Th, Sc, Mo, W, Be, Ge, Ta, Bi, Se, Te, Re) in tropical topsoils (0–10 cm) Terengganu River basin, Malaysia. Soils were observed to be mildly acidic (average pH 1:5 ~ 5.4) with loam sandy texture, exhibited low CEC ~ 2.25 cmol (+) /kg) organic matter contents LOI ~ 3.0%). NE monsoonal heavy rains annual flooding remove finer particles leaving soils a high sand size fraction ~ 52.46%) rich quartz. Under humid conditions most metals from topsoil layer, especially alkali earth (e.g. Ba), are significantly depleted by preferential leaching and/or plant uptake. The average Si, Se Te measured higher as compared upper continental crust. Mineral deposits associated granite rock also contribute elevated levels apart cases where soil geochemical processes enrich fixation secondary Al–Fe-(hydro)oxides. developed registered investigated throughout four main geological units basin. Principal component analysis (PC1, 91.9% PC2, 5.90%) revealed that element concentration distribution primarily influenced local geology texture. Most well below guideline values exception Ni Ba which exceeded permissible levels. Higher Cr ~ 94.89 mg/kg) seemed introduced into use pesticides CCA) wood preservative at few locations. metasedimentary rocks W ~ 2.3 mg/kg) other units, probably result presence mineral scheelite (CaWO 4 ) SEM analysis. work presents regional baseline 32 surface region Peninsular