Identification of natural and anthropogenic factors in the spatial pattern of Pb in the surface soil of the Nanliu River Basin

The identification of source in potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in watershed soils is crucial for environmental management. This study addresses the knowledge gap in understanding the combined influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the spatial pattern of lead (Pb) in the surface soil of the Nanliu River Basin. The main objective was to identify and quantify these influences using an integrated approach of ANOVA, correlation analysis, IDW interpolation, and Local Moran's I. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for Pb concentrations, revealing that granite and urban development significantly control Pb occurrence. The results indicate that the spatial pattern of soil Pb is jointly controlled by soil parent materials and anthropogenic factors, with varying degrees of influence across spatial scales. When the distance band of the Local Moran's I is set at 8000 m, the most reasonable spatial partitioning characteristics are exhibited. In conclusion, our study underscores the importance of integrating traditional statistical and spatial analysis methods to better understand the geochemical features of Pb in the surface soil of the Nanliu River Basin. This approach provides valuable insights for environmental management and pollution mitigation strategies. Our research highlights the use of integrating traditional statistical and spatial analysis methods in environmental research and offers a deeper comprehension of the geochemical features of Pb in the surface soil of the Nanliu River Basin.