Statistical Variability Indices and Concentration Coefficient of Soil Microelements in Azerbaijan
Shalala Salimova1 
, Kamala Nuriyeva2 , Matanat Aliyeva1* ,
Afag Rzayeva1 , and Anara Nasirova2
Abstract. The aim of this study is to investigate the current state of essential, potentially toxic, and poorly understood microelement content in soils under vegetation in dry-steppe ecosystems. The objectives of the study included: determining regional characteristics of microelement content in soils and plants, identifying their relationships in the plant-soil system (hidden micronutrient deficiency), determining the intensity of biological uptake by plants from the soil, which characterizes their ecological activity, and assessing the removal of elements by aboveground phytomass and their involvement in biogenic migration. Soil and vegetation samples were collected from dry-steppe ecosystems. Soil samples were collected from the root layer (0–20/40 cm), prepared for laboratory analysis, and the microelement contents were determined. Statistical and correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationships between microelement contents in soils and vegetation. The results of the correlation analysis revealed a direct, significant relationship between the microelement content in soils and their accumulation in vegetation for Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ba, and Pb. A moderate to strong positive correlation was found between the content of Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ba, and Pb in vegetation and soil (r = 0.51‒0.82). No correlation was found for the remaining trace elements: B, Zr (r = ‐0.07‒0.08), Li, Al, Ti, Ni, Cu, and Mo (r = 0.19‒0.39). The findings of this study are important for the development of agriculture in Azerbaijan, as the removal of heavy metals from soils and irrigation water is supported by national law and remains a priority for environmentalists and soil scientists.
Keywords: microelement deficiency, plant-soil system, eco-biological parameters, vegetation, heavy metals