Driving factors influencing spatiotemporal variation of natural organic chlorine in Shennongjia forest soil.

Studying the geochemical behavior of chlorine is the basis of understanding the chlorine cycle in nature. To explore the spatiotemporal distribution of natural organic chlorine (Cl), L layer (litter fall), F-H layer (humification zone), topsoil layer (0-20 cm), and deep soil layer (20-40 cm) samples were collected from 18 sampling sites at different altitudes (851-2918 m) in Shennongjia Forest in May, August, and December. Cl content was analyzed, and the Cl stocks were calculated.