The study looked at the levels of certain elements in the soil around desert shrubs in Alxa. They found that the soil around different shrubs had varying levels of acidity. Some shrubs had lower levels of calcium in the soil around their roots, while others had higher levels of magnesium. Iron, manganese, and zinc levels were generally lower in the soil around the shrubs, but there were higher levels of available iron, manganese, and zinc in some cases. Copper levels varied between shrubs, with some having higher levels in the soil around their roots. Overall, the relationship between soil nutrients in the root zone and the surrounding soil was complex.