Total amounts of Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and pH have been determined according to Swiss Soil Order (Osol) procedure at various depths (0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm, 60-80 cm) on 22 sites distributed in four regions ot canton Geneva:

— acid percolation in woodland is the principal cause of lower values in (0-20 cm) compared to cropland and vineyard values,

— relatively high values of Ni and Cr in lower layers of two regions (Satigny, Dardagny) are indicative of their geogenic origin,

— Cu and Zn profiles point out to their mainly anthropogenic origin,

— Pb originates mainly from atmospheric deposition, as such it constitutes a good indicator of diffuse pollution.