Abstract:
Comprehensive evaluation of soil quality was conducted to provide an important basis for the scientific management and sustainable use of soil resources in Boxing County in this study. Soil nutrient indices (SOM, AP, AK, AN and pH) and five toxic heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, As and Hg) were evaluated by using the index method and Nemerow comprehensive index method, respectively. At last, the TOPSIS method was applied to evaluate soil quality comprehensively. The results showed that the mean value of the organic matter content area was 17.85 g kg
−1, which was at a lower level. Soil AP was 36.89 mg kg
−1, which was at a higher level. The average value of soil fertility index was 0.63, suggesting overall soil fertility level was at a middle-high level. It showed a trend of gradual decline from south to north and from east to west in spatial distribution. The single factor index of Cd was greater than 1, which indicated soil was at light pollution. The other four heavy metals accumulated in varying degrees while still within the safe ranges of the environmental quality standard for soils. The agricultural land area in Boxing was divided into five types: high-quality area (25.33%), good-quality area (33.01%), medium-quality area (15.82%), general-quality area (18.75%), and poor–quality area (8.89%). On the whole, there was no obvious heavy metal pollution in the soil in Boxing County. The soil fertility level was relatively high and soil comprehensive quality in most areas was at a high-quality level.