Soil-plant relationship of Pteropyrum olivieri, a serpentine flora of Wadh, Balochistan, Pakistan and its use in mineral prospecting

Biogeochemical investigation of Pteropyrum olivieri, a flora of Wadh area in perspective of plant-soil-rock relationship has been made. It is a native of Irano-Turanian region which extended into Saharo-Sindian region of Pakistan. The distribution of P. olivieri and some other co-ecological flora in relation to lithology was also discussed. Field observations showed its controlled population on the serpentine soil. The average abundance of Mg and Ca in soil was estimated as 2.43% and 5.46 respectively. The Mg/Ca ratio of the soils of the study area was below unity (0.445), indicating pedogenesis from serpentinite. Quantitative estimation of Cr, Ni, Co and Cu in soils and plant ash was made. Distribution of these elements has been discussed in context with soil chemistry, average abundance in plant ash and the exclusion mechanism of the flora. The concentration of Cr, Ni and Co in the twigs of P. olivieri is more than the average abundance in the plant ash, while Cu concentration was less. Relationship among Cr, Ni, Co and Cu has been established using scatter-grams to evaluate biogeochemistry of the P. olivieri. Bio-concentration factor (BCF) of the specie attributed Co>Cu>Ni>Cr trend. Present study signifies a number of anomalous zones which can be utilized for the exploration of new hidden mineral deposits in and around Wadh area. The rocks in the anomalous zone served as good host for podiform chromite and associated mineralization

Soil-plant relationship of \u3ci\u3ePteropyrum olivieri\u3c/i\u3e, a serpentine flora of Wadh, Balochistan, Pakistan and its use in mineral prospecting

Biogeochemical investigation of Pteropyrum olivieri, a flora of Wadh area in perspective of plant-soil-rock relationship has been made. It is a native of Irano-Turanian region which extended into Saharo-Sindian region of Pakistan. The distribution of P. olivieri and some other co-ecological flora in relation to lithology was also discussed. Field observations showed its controlled population on the serpentine soil. The average abundance of Mg and Ca in soil was estimated as 2.43% and 5.46 respectively. The Mg/Ca ratio of the soils of the study area was below unity (0.445), indicating pedogenesis from serpentinite. Quantitative estimation of Cr, Ni, Co and Cu in soils and plant ash was made. Distribution of these elements has been discussed in context with soil chemistry, average abundance in plant ash and the exclusion mechanism of the flora. The concentration of Cr, Ni and Co in the twigs of P. olivieri is more than the average abundance in the plant ash, while Cu concentration was less. Relationship among Cr, Ni, Co and Cu has been established using scatter-grams to evaluate biogeochemistry of the P. olivieri. Bio-concentration factor (BCF) of the specie attributed Co\u3eCu\u3eNi\u3eCr trend. Present study signifies a number of anomalous zones which can be utilized for the exploration of new hidden mineral deposits in and around Wadh area. The rocks in the anomalous zone served as good host for podiform chromite and associated mineralization