Spatial variability of soil salinity in characteristic field of the Yellow River Delta

Taking into account the problem of soil salinization existing in the Yellow River Delta at present, spatial variability of soil salinity of different soil layers was measured and analyzed using statistics and geo-statistics, which was performed in characteristic field of the Yellow River Delta. Spatial distribution maps and semi-variograms that can explicitly explain the random and structural variability of soil salinity were also mapped. Results indicate that soil salinity of each soil layer shows the moderate spatial variability and spatial autocorrelation resulting from compound impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and the autocorrelation distance of each soil layer varied insignificantly. The spatial distribution maps of salt salinity interpolated by Kriging interpolation all show apparently strip and block. The spatial distribution of soil salinity for surface layer is chiefly controlled by micro-topography and climate conditions, while the spatial distribution of soil salinity for deeper layers is mainly controlled by groundwater properties. The research results can serve as a theoretical basis and reference to the partition, amelioration, management and rational utilization of saline soils in the Yellow River Delta.