Abstract: Abstract:Based on twice geochemical survey data about land quality in Panjin City of Liaoning, the characteristics of spatialtemporal variation of heavy metal elements in this area were studied by applying scientific statistical method (ie. mathematical statistics, multivariate statistical analysis, spatial analysis) to eliminate errors in sampling and analyzing, and the reasons for accumulation of heavy metal elements in soil were discussed combining present situation of land use. The results showed that the element contents of cadmium (Cd) in soil have been markedly increased from 2004 to 2009, with an average cumulative rate of 3128%, which mainly contributed by agricultural and human activity. Meanwhile, human activity also caused accumulation of some other heavy metal elements, eg arsenic (As), zinc(Zn). On the contrary, copper (Cu) and mercury (Hg) presented apparent depleted trend. Lead (Pb) showed double characteristics of either enrichment or depletion, while the contents of chromium(Cr) and nickel(Ni) had no significant changes as well as the pH value.

Key words: Panjin City, heavy metal elements, cumulative rate, spatialtemporal variation