Efficiency Evaluation of Different Interpolation Procedures in Spatial Distribution of Copper in Hormuz Island Soils

Spatial distribution of copper in Hormuz island soils were evaluated using different geostatistical methods including Kriging, Inverse Distance Weighting and Radial Basis Function. For this purpose, 58 surface soil samples (0-30cm) were collected from the study area. The total concentration of Cu element was measured by using four acid digestion procedure and inductively coupled plasma instrument (ICP-OES). The methods performances were evaluated based on Jacknife cross validation using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Standard Root Mean Square Error (SRMSE) and Coefficient of Residual Mass (CRM). Based on RMSE, SRMSE and CRM indices, the Kriging interpolator had best performance among the other interpolator and the Thin Plate Spline was also found as the most unsuitable method for estimating Cu spatial distribution throughout the Hormoz island Soils. The result of zoning showed that amount of copper concentration was lower in south parts of the study lands.