| Elements | Background Concentration in Soils (ppm) | Surficial Mobility | Use in Exploration |
| Ag* | 100 | High, Mn scavenged | - |
| As | 10 | Mobile, Fe scavenged | Pathfinder especially for Au |
| Au* | 1 | Low | Au deposits |
| Cd | 0.1 | High | Pathfinder for Zn deposits |
| Cu | 15 | pH > 5 low, else moderate | Most surveys |
| Fe |
|
| - |
| Hg* | 50 | High | Wide use as pathfinder |
| Mn | 300 | Moderate, high at low pH | Scavenges Co, Zn, Ag |
| Pb | 15 | Low | Wide use |
| Sb | 1 | Low | Pathfinder |
| Zn | 35 |
| - |