Distribution of 32 Elements in Organic Surface Soils: Contributions from Atmospheric Transport of Pollutants and Natural Sources

Data are presented for 32 elements (Li, Be, B, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Hf, Tl, Pb, Bi) in organic-rich surface soils in Norway, based on samples from 464 sites. By considering geographical distributions based on isopleths, results from factor analysis, and ANOVA of median values from 12 different geographical regions, the contributions from natural and anthropogenic sources are estimated for each element. Long-range atmospheric transport of pollutants from areas out of Norway is a dominant source for Cd, Sb, Pb, and Bi and also a strongly contributing factor for Zn, As, Mo, and Tl. Also V, Ni, Cu, and Ge are somewhat affected, but other factors dominate for these elements. Local point sources of pollution provide significant contributions to soil concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, and Cd. The local bedrock is the overriding source of Li, Be, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Rb, Zr, Cs, Ba, REE, Hf, and probably of Ge and Ag. Surface enrichment by root uptake in plants and return to the soil surface by decaying plant material is particularly evident for Mn, Zn, Rb, Cs, and Ba. These elements show no clear difference between south and north in the country, indicating that their plant uptake does not depend on latitude. In the case of B and Sr, atmospheric deposition of marine aerosols is an important source. Rb and Ag, and to a less extent Mn, Ga, and Ba, appear to be depleted in soils near the coast presumably due to cation exchange with airborne marine cations.     

Trace elements in surface soils from the mineralized area of Madison County, Missouri, U.S.A.

Duplicate, bulked surface soil samples, from sites 10m apart, were collected at 97 locations 1000 m apart on a regular grid measuring 8x11 km. Data were obtained for Ag, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. One field sample was a good predictor of its nearby duplicate for Co, Cu, Ni and Pb, satisfactory for Ba, Be, Cr, Mn and Zn, but poorer for Cr, Li and V. Maps of the variation in precision of the field samples did not reveal any association between abandoned mine sites and high variability. The median coefficient of variation for trace elements in the field duplicates was between 8 and 19.5%. The duplicated field data were averaged to yield a mean soil metal concentration at each sample location. Concentrations of Ba, Be, Cr, Li, Sr and V were comparable with other published values for similar soils in Missouri. Concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher which was explained by pollution from mining activities. A graphical technique was used to calculate background levels for metals in the second group. Samples of forest litter were collected at 12 locations: Ag, Ba, Cd, Mn, Sr and Zn concentrations were higher in the litter whereas Li and V concentrations were higher in the subjacent mineral soil. Computer isoline maps of the distribution of elements revealed an association between areas of high soil Cu, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn and abandoned mines or mineralized rocks.     

Searching the most appropriate sample pretreatment for the elemental analysis of wines by inductively coupled plasma-based techniques

Different sample preparation methods were evaluated for the simultaneous multielement analysis of wine samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Microwave-assisted digestion in closed vessel, thermal digestion in open reactor, and direct sample dilution were considered for the determination of Li, Be, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Tl, Pb, and Bi in 12 samples of red wine from Valencia and Utiel-Requena protected designation of origin. ICP-MS allows the determination of 17 elements in most of the samples, and using ICP-OES, a maximum of 15 elements were determined. On comparing the sample pretreatment methodology, it can be concluded that the three assayed procedures provide comparable results for the concentration of Li, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Sr by ICP-OES. Furthermore, ICP-MS data found for Cu, Pb, and Ba were comparable. Digestion treatment provides comparable values using both total decomposition in open system and microwave-assisted treatment for Cu by ICP-OES and for Cr, Ni, and Zn by ICP-MS. Open vessel total digestion provides excess values for Cr, Mn, Fe, and Zn by ICP-OES and defect values for Se. However, direct measurement of diluted wine samples provided uncomparable results with the digestion treatment for Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ba, and Bi by ICP-OES and for Mg, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn by ICP-MS. Therefore, it can be concluded that microwave-assisted digestion is the pretreatment procedure of choice for elemental analysis of wine by ICP-based techniques.     

东北及内蒙古东部的土壤微量元素

土壤中的微量元素在动植物生活中所起的重要作用日益被人们所重视.了解土壤中的这一部分资源对指导微量元素肥料的施用,从而达到农业增产以及对消除由土壤微量元素缺乏或过剩引起的某些动植物病害均具有重要的意义.探讨土壤微量元素在土壤剖面中的累积和迁移及其地理分布规律,则可进一步阐明土壤发生过程与生物地球化学特性的关系.     

Vergleich zwischen Total- und königswasserextrahierbaren Elementgehalten in natürlichen Böden und Sedimenten

Comparison between total- and aqua regia extractable contents of elements in natural soils and sediments Total- and aqua regia extractable contents of 19 elements from 28 soil samples with widely varying composition of the ISE ring analytical program (INTERNATIONAL SOIL-ANALYTICAL EXCHANGE) of the year 1995 to 1997 have been taken to find out the comparability between the two fractions. The relations between the two fractions and pH, organic matter and clay content were considered by means of single and multiple regressions. The correlations between the total and aqua regia extractable contents of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn are very close, whereas Al, Ba, K, Na and Sr are not or only weakly correlating. The multiple regressions show that the content of some aqua regia extractable elements and the proportion (in %) of the total contents is correlated with pH, organic matter and/or content of clay. In the same way the proportion of aqua regia extractable elements is closely related (except Fe and Hg) to the soil pH. Hereby the proportion of the aqua regia extractable content increases with increasing pH in the range 3,5—7,7. The determined equations are tested for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn by using the values of certified reference material. The estimated aqua regia extractable contents are being compared with values of reference material. The average proportion of the calculated to the measured aqua regia contents of an element in percent are 99 for Zn, 98 for Co, Cu and Mn, 94 for Cd, 90 for Ni, 88 for Cr, 105 for Hg, 113 for As and 114 for Pb.     

Platinum-group and other traffic-related heavy metal contamination in road sediment, Guangzhou, China

Purpose

Human exposure to particulate matter emitted from on-road motor vehicles includes complex mixtures of heavy metals from tyres, brakes, part wear, and resuspended road sediment. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of 14 platinum-group and other traffic-related heavy metals in road sediment within the metropolitan area of Guangzhou, China, with a view to identifying their sources and assessing the extent of anthropogenic influence on heavy metal contamination of road sediment.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five samples of road sediment were collected. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, La, Ce, Mo, Cd, Pb, Ba, and Rh were measured by inductively coupled plasma?Cmass spectrometry. Pt and Pd were analyzed by isotopic dilution?Cinductively coupled plasma?Cmass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analysis and enrichment factor methods were employed to identify the sources of these heavy metals and to assess anthropogenic influences on their occurrence.

Results and discussion

The mean concentrations of Pt, Pd, Rh, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, La, Ce, Mo, Cd, Pb, and Ba in the road sediment samples were 68.24, 93.15, 23.85, 147.5, 712.3, 47.24, 177.5, 1254, 47.50, 96.62, 4.91, 3.00, 198.1, and 641.3?ng?g^?1, respectively. Very weak to significant linear positive correlations were found among the various heavy metals. The elemental composition of road sediment was dominated by five principal components. Three clusters were identified through cluster analysis, and enrichment factors were calculated relative to soils in China. The sources and degree of contamination of the heavy metals are discussed based on the results.

Conclusions

The mean concentrations of heavy metals are higher than background values, especially for Pt, Pd, Rh, Cd, and Zn. Four main sources are identified: (1) Pt, Pd, and Rh were derived from traffic sources; (2) La, Ce, Mn, and Ba were derived mainly from natural sources; (3) Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo, Cd, and Pb showed mixed traffic-industry sources; and (4) Zn originated mainly from industrial sources. Enrichment factor analysis supported this source identification and further indicated that contamination of road sediment in Guangzhou is extremely high for Pt, Pd, and Rh; moderate to very high for Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Mo; and minimal for Cr, Ni, La, Ce, and Ba.     

Standards for the contents of heavy metals and metalloids in soils

In line with the present-day ecological and toxicological data obtained by Dutch ecologists, heavy metals/metalloids form the following succession according to their hazard degree in soils: Se > Tl > Sb > Cd > V > Hg > Ni > Cu > Cr > As > Ba. This sequence substantially differs from the succession of heavy elements presented in the general toxicological GOST (State Norms and Standards) 17.4.1.02-8, which considers As, Cd, Hg, Se, Pb, and Zn to be strongly hazardous elements, whereas Co, Ni, Mo, Sb, and Cr to be moderately hazardous. As compared to the general toxicological approach, the hazard of lead, zinc, and cobalt is lower in soils, and that of vanadium, antimony, and barium is higher. The new sequence also differs from that of the metal hazard in soils according to the Russian standard on the maximal permissible concentration of mobile metal forms (MPC_mob): Cu > Ni > Co > Cr > Zn. Neither an MPC_mob nor an APC_mob has been adopted for strongly hazardous thallium, selenium, and vanadium in Russia. The content of heavy metals in contaminated soils is very unevenly studied: 11 of them, i.e., Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, As, Mn, Co, Hg, and Se, are better known, while the rest, much worse, although there are dangerous elements (Ba, V, Tl) among them.     

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric determination of minerals in thyme honeys and their contribution to geographical discrimination

Twenty-four Spanish thyme honey samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Twenty-four minerals were quantified for each honey. The elements Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, and Zn were detected in all samples; seven elements are very abundant (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Si), and six are not abundant (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, and Zn). Eleven of them are trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mo, Pb, Se, Sr, and V) at <1 mg kg(-)(1). Classification of thyme honeys according to their origin (coast, mountains) was achieved by pattern recognition techniques on the mineral data. By means of principal component analysis, a good separation by geographical origin is obtained when scores for the two first principal components are plotted. Classification functions of 11 metals (Al, As, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, and V) were obtained using stepwise discriminant analysis and applied to classify correctly approximately 100% of the honey samples.     

关中盆地全新世黄土-土壤剖面微量元素的地球化学特征及其古气候意义

通过对老官台全新世黄土剖面12种微量元素的测定分析,结合本剖面已测定的粒度、磁化率、光释光(OSL)年龄,研究和揭示了它们在表生环境下的地球化学特征和古气候意义。微量元素在风化成壤过程中,其活动性由强至弱顺序为BaSrCdPbLiZnCuCrMnCoRbNi。其中Rb、Li、Cr、Co、Zn、Cu、Mn、Ni八种元素在土壤形成过程中相对富集,含量较高;Sr、Ba、Cd三种元素在土壤中相对淋失,含量较低;但Zn、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb五种元素对黄土层和土壤层的区别不是很明显。因此,Rb、Li、Cr、Co的高含量反映了较温湿的成壤环境,低含量反映了较冷干的粉尘加积环境;而Sr、Ba、Cd低含量反映了较温湿的成壤环境,高含量反映了较冷干的粉尘加积环境。Pb、Zn、Cu、Mn、Ni、Cd元素含量在表土层中的富集主要与现代耕作活动或工业污染有关,反映了人类活动强度的不断增强。LGT剖面主要微量元素的变化清楚地记录了关中盆地自末次冰消期以来气候环境经历的显著波动变化。     

Heavy Metals in Freshly Deposited Stream Sediments of Rivers Associated with Urbanisation of the Ganga Plain,India

Freshly deposited stream sediments from six urban centres of the Ganga Plain were collected and analysed for heavy metals to obtain a general scenery of sediment quality. The concentrations of heavy metals varied within a wide range for Cr (115–817), Mn (440–1 750), Fe (28 700–61 100), Co (11.7–29.0), Ni (35–538), Cu (33–1 204), Zn (90–1 974), Pb (14–856) and Cd (0.14–114.8) in mg kg^-1. Metal enrichment factors for the stream sediments were <1.5 for Mn, Fe and Co; 1.5–4.1 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb; and 34 for Cd. The anthropogenic source in metals concentrations contributes to 59% Cr, 49% Cu, 52% Zn, 51% Pb and 77% Cd. High positive correlation between concentrations of Cr/Ni, Cr/Cu, Cr/Zn, Ni/Zn, Ni/Cu, Cu/Zn, Cu/Cd, Cu/Pb, Fe/Co, Mn/Co, Zn/Cd, Zn/Pb and Cd/Pb indicate either their common urban origin or their common sink in the stream sediments. The binding capacity of selected metals to sediment carbon and sulphur decreases in order of Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni and Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni, respectively. Stream sediments from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi and Agra urban centres have been classified by the proposed Sediment Pollution Index as highly polluted to dangerous sediments. Heavy metal analysis in the <20-μm-fraction of stream sediments appears to be an adequate method for the environmental assessment of urbanisation activities on alluvial rivers. The present study reveals that urban centres act as sources of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd and cause metallic sediment pollution in rivers of the Ganga Plain.     

我国几种土壤中铁锰结核的元素组成和地球化学特点

The objective of this research was to isolate a dichlorvos （2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate）-degrading strain of Ochrobactrum sp., and determine its effectiveness in remediation of a dichlorvos-contaminated soil. A dichlorvos-degrading bacterium （strain DDV-1） was successfully isolated and identified as an Ochrobactrum sp. based on its 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Strain DDV-1 was able to utilize dichlorvos as a sole carbon source, and the optimal pH and temperature for its cell growth and degradation were 7.0 and 30 ℃, respectively. Also, the growth and degradation of strain DDV-1 showed the same response to dissolved oxygen. In addition, the soil degradation test indicated that in soil spiked with 100 mg L^-1 or 500 mg L^-1 dichlorvos and inoculated with 0.5% or 1.0% （v/v） strain DDV-1, complete degradation of dichlorvos could be achieved in 24 h. The present study showed that strain DDV-1 was a fast dichlorvos-degrading bacterium in soil. However, further research will be needed to clarify the degradation pathway and the properties of the key enzymes involved in its biodegradation.     

Baseline element concentrations in soils and plants,Wattenmeer National Park,North and East Frisian Islands,Federal Republic of Germany

Baseline element concentrations are given for dune grass (Ammophilia arenaria), willow (Salix repens), moss (Hylocomium splendens) and associated surface soils. Baseline and variability data for pH, ash, Al, As, Ba, C, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Ti, V, Y, Yb, and Zn are reported; however, not all variables are reported for all media because, in some media, certain elements were below the analytical detection limit. Spatial variation in element concentration between five Frisian Islands are given for each of the sample media. In general, only a few elements in each media showed statistically significant differences between the islands sampled. The measured concentrations in all sample media exhibited ranges that cannot be attributed to anthropogenic additions of trace elements, with the possible exception of Hg and Pb in surface soils.     

Multielemental analysis and classification of amaranth seeds according to their botanical origin

The characterization of amaranth seeds (Amaranthus spp.) was developed for Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus cruentus, and Amaranthus dubius. The elemental concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optic atomic spectroscopy. Pattern recognition methods were used for the characterization of seed samples: nonsupervised methods included principal components analysis and cluster analysis; supervised methods were linear discriminant analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Informed are the concentrations of the following elements: Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, S, Sr, V, Zn, and Zr. The lowest mineral content was found in A. hypochondriacus, and the highest one was found in A. dubius. For the classification, selected variables for all multivariate methods were Ba, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, S, and Sr. Nonsupervised methods allowed us to distinguish between the three species of amaranth; however, PLS-DA supervised methods showed the best prediction ability.     

MINERAL ELEMENT DISTRIBUTION AND ACCUMULATION PATTERNS WITHIN TWO BARLEY CULTIVARS

Growth stage effects on distribution of mineral nutrients or beneficial elements phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chloride (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), silicon (Si) and nickel (Ni), and the elements bromine (Br), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and uranium (U) in two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars and how the distribution of these elements changed were determined during the 2006–2007 growing season in a field experiment. Barley plants were sampled from the field at shooting, heading, soft dough, hard dough and harvest stages, and mineral nutrients and other elements concentrations of spike, flag leaf, old leaf, and stem samples were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Distribution patterns varied considerably from element to element. At the end of the season much of the Ca, Mg, S, Si, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Sr, Ba, La, Ce, and U were located in the spikes. However, much of the P, K, Zn, Cl, Na, Br, and Rb remained in the old leaves or stem.     

Baseline element concentrations in soils and plants,Bull Island,Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge,South Carolina,U.S.A.

Baseline element concentrations are given for Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and associated soils. Baseline and variability data for ash, Al, Ba, C, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sc, Sr, Th, Ti, V, Y, and Zn are reported; however, not all variables are reported for all media because, in some media, certain elements were below the analytical detection limit. Spatial variation in element concentration among and within 0.5 km grid cells are given for each of the media. In general, only a few elements in Spanish moss showed statistically significant landscape patterns, whereas several elements in loblolly pine and in soils exhibited differences among sampling grids. Significant differences in the concentration of three elements in Spanish moss and eight elements (including total S) in loblolly pine were observed between two sampling dates (November and June); however, the absolute amount of these differences was small. Except for perhaps Ni and Pb concentrations in Spanish moss, element levels in all sample media exhibited ranges that indicate natural rather than anthropogenic additions of trace elements.     

Depth Profile Of Trace Elements In a Sediment Core Of a High-Altitude Lake Deposit At The Pyrenees, Spain

Depth concentration profiles of 26 elements, i.e. trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V and Zn), lithophiles (Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Na, K, Mg, Ca and Ti) and nutrients (C, P, N, S) have been established in a sediment core collected at the Respomuso Lake (Pyrenees, Spain). This high altitude lake of glacier origin was transformed into reservoir in the fifties of last century. Correlations among the depth profiles of the above elements were established. HCl-extractable elements, which are better related to bioavailability, followed the profiles of total contents. Principal component analysis was applied to establish the binding behaviour of trace elements in the sediment matrix and, in turn, to search for their anthropogenic or natural sources. It was seen that Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn clustered together, and with exception of Sr, they were not clearly associated with any major component of the sediment. Their depth profiles correlate well with each other, hence indicating their presence as a result of atmospheric pollution. Redox-sensitive elements such as Fe and Mn follow a similar trend along the vertical profile. Depth profiles of As an Co correlate well with those of Fe and Mn. Principal component analysis showed that As, Co, Fe and Mn clustered together, which confirms the close association of As and Co with Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides. As concentrations in many strata exceed the ERM value, and therefore, significant biological effects are expected. Dissolution of minerals such as pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena taking part in the mineralogy of this area accounts for the As concentration found. Ba, Cr, Rb and V were associated with the sediment matrix (aluminosilicates), hence showing low mobility.     

Comparison of major and trace element concentrations in Danish greenhouse tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Cv. Aromata F1) cultivated in different substrates

The concentration of major and trace elements was determined for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumcv. Aromata F1) fruits grown in three different substrate systems. The systems were soil and rockwool irrigated with a normal nutrient solution and rockwool irrigated with a nutrient solution with elevated electrical conductivity (EC). At three harvest times, tomato fruits were analyzed for Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn by ICP-AES and for Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, and V by HR-ICPMS. The concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn were significantly different (p < 0.05) for tomato fruits grown on the different substrates. Between the harvest times different levels (p < 0.05) were shown for Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn Na, Ni, Sr, Zn Cu, K, Mg, P, Sn, and V. The concentration of Cd was >15 times higher and the concentration of Ca was 50-115% higher in soil-grown fruits than in rockwool-grown fruits. Principal component analysis applied on each harvest split the data into two groups. One group includes soil-grown fruits, and the other group includes rockwool-grown fruits with the two different nutrient solutions.     

Background Contents of Heavy Metals in Soils and Bottom Sediments in the North of Western Siberia

Eurasian Soil Science - Background concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Hg, Cd, Ba, Sr, and Sc) in soils and bottom sediments were determined for the background and...     

Determining baseline element composition of lichens

Element-concentration baselines are given for Parmelia sulcata and associated soils. Parmelia chlorochroa was found sporadically and therefore only representative concentration ranges are reported for this species. Element data include (1) for lichens; Al, As, Ba, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Sr, S, Ti, V, Y, and Zn; and (2) for soils: Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Cs, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Nb, P, Pb, Sr, S, Ti, V, Y, and Zn. Very little (usually < 10 %) of the variability in the element data for lichen material occurs regionally (> 7.2 km); thus, P sukata is, in general, chemically similar throughout the park. This same uniformity was found for soil geochemistry. Numerous samples collected at close intervals would be required, therefore, to produce detailed element-concentration maps for P. sulcata and soils. No instances of elemental phytotoxic conditions were found; however, P. sulcata apparently possesses large concentrations of Ba, Cu, Fe, Pb, S, V, and possibly Zn.     

Effects of fertilization, crop year, variety, and provenance factors on mineral concentrations in onions

Mineral concentrations of onions (Allium cepa L.) grown under various conditions, including factors (fertilization, crop year, variety, and provenance), were investigated to clarify how much each factor contributes to the variation of their concentrations. This was because the mineral concentrations might be affected by various factors. The ultimate goal of this study was to develop a technique to determine the geographic origins of onions by mineral composition. Samples were onions grown under various conditions at 52 fields in 18 farms in Hokkaido, Japan. Twenty-six elements (Li, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Gd, W, and Tl) in these samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Fertilization conditions and crop years of onions caused variations of P, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cs, and Tl concentrations in onions; different onion varieties also showed variations in numerous element concentrations. However, the variations of mineral compositions of onions by these factors were smaller than the differences between production places with a few exceptions. Furthermore, Na, Rb, and Cs in group IA of the periodic table, Ca, Sr, and Ba in group IIA, and Zn and Cd in group IIB showed similar concentration patterns by group; this result demonstrated that elements in the same periodic groups behaved similarly in terms of their absorption in onions.