The geochemical characterization of ophiolitic soils in a temperate climate based on the nature of basic bedrock has been scarcely investigated. In this work we have taken into account major, minor and trace element data and clay, silt, sand and organic matter contents of ophiolitic soils collected from several places in Tuscany (Central Italy) where the chemical nature of the bedrocks is known. Thus, using data belonging to three groups of soils collected on serpentinitic, gabbroic and basaltic bedrocks we have studied the influence of the bedrock on the chemical character of the soils. We have applied discriminant analysis techniques to find a 'classification rule' both to discriminate the groups originally determined and to assign new samples to one of these groups. Furthermore, starling from a large number of variables defining the overall chemical character of soil samples, we have found that truly a few variables contribute to discriminate the three groups.

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