[en] The distribution coefficients, K_d of 47 elements from Na to Bi on a calcareous soil, a red earth and an alumina were, respectively, determined using a multitracer technique. The multitracer solution was prepared by irradiation of UO₂(NO₃)₂ with ⁴⁰Ar ion beam. It was found that there is a common general trend of variation in K_d for both soils and the alumina, i.e. all the shapes of plots of log K_d versus electron binding energy (I_z) are an 'inverted V', hence the important role of chemical interaction in the adsorption of trace inorganic cations, anions and neutral complexes on the soils and the oxides was demonstrated. For the alkali and alkaline earth elements, the common sequences of K_d values on the three adsorbents were Na⁺< K⁺< Rb⁺< Cs⁺ (except for Rb⁺ on the alumina) and Mg²⁺< Sr²⁺< Ba²⁺ and accord with the sequences of effective ionic radii or single ion hydration enthalpies