Total and EDTA extractable element distributions in ophiolitic soils from Tuscany (Central Italy) were studied. The concentration levels recorded for total elements point to a slight pedogeochemical evolution of the soils investigated, since most of them fall in the concentration ranges of the parent materials. The levels of the EDTA extractable elements are consistent with the total element distribution within the soil profiles, and with the weathering patterns of the most common rock‐forming minerals. They fall in the ranges which are considered “not toxic” to plants, especially those of heavy metals. It is suggested that the well‐known infertility of such soils could be the consequence of major and trace elements synergism. Copyright © 1991 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

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