Trace Element Variations in Tea Leaves from Yaku-Shima

Abstract

To analyze soil and plant diversification in Yaku-shima, we measured magnesium (Mg), aluminium (Al), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) contents in tea leaves collected from nine different tea plants by ICP-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICPS1000IV). Water, nitrogen, positive ion and phosphoric acid contents and electric conductivity, pH and cation exchange capacity of soils picked up from corresponding tea plants were also evaluated. Multiple classification analysis of tea leaves and soils showed significant difference in seasonality of tea leaves, even though there was no difference in nine soils.