Chin J Plan Ecolo ›› 1988, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (1): 40-50.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Phytocommunity and Phyto-geochemistry Characteristics of Pb and Zn in the Mining Area of Xitieshan Mountain in Qinghai Province and Their Relationship with the Pb and Zn Deposits

Kong Ling-shao, Sun Shi-zhou, Luo Jin-ling, Huang Zong-qi   

  • Published:1988-01-10
  • Contact: Mo Da-lun

Abstract: The types of the plant communities in the Xitieshan Mountain mining region are discussed. The number of species of plant communities in mineralized zones are less than that of non-mineralized zones, and the individual plants in the former are also smaller and shorter and the coverage is less than those in the latter.Analysis of Pb, Zn contents of plant samples showed: The zinc content (average) in the plant ash is from 126 to 1144 ppm. The average Zn content in the ash of Ephedra przewalskii is the highest and the variable range is very large, from 86 to 5872 ppm. The lead content (average) in ash of the plants is 31.3—1129.6ppm. The lead content in the ash of Sympegma regelii is higher than others, and the variable range is the largest, from 14.3 to 5561.7 pp m, the average value is 745 ppm. The highest value of Pb and Zn occurs in the mineralized zones, and the lowest in the non-mineralized ones.Between either lead or zinc contents in plants and the soils in which they grow there is very good liner relationship. The correlation coefficents for Ephedra przewalshii, Asterothamuns centrali-asiaticus, Sympegma regelii and Eurotia ceratoihes et al. go up to close correlative levels (P≤0.05). This is very useful in phytogeochemical exploration,for example,the lead phytogeochemical anomalies of A. centraliasiaticus and Reaumuria soongorica indicate accurately the range of Xitieshan Pb-Zn deposits. The phytogeochemical haloes are high contrast, and the anomalous range tallies basically with the mineraization areas.