Element distribution in Lactarius rufus in comparison to the underlying substrate along a transect in southern Norway

Compared to the soil C-horizon Lactarius rufus is strongly enriched (factor >2 to 72) in K, Rb, Ag, P, S, Na, Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn and Cs. Compared to the soil O horizon Rb, K, P, Cs, Cu, S and Na are the most enriched (factor >2 to 50) elements in Lactarius rufus. Compared to the median of in total 15 plant materials collected along the same transect Lactarius rufus is most strongly enriched in Ag (195 times), more than 10 times in Cs, Rb, Na, Cd and 10 to 2 times in K, Hg, P, Cu, Ti, As, S and Zn. Compared to other plants the uptake of Ba, Ca, Mn, Sr, Al and Mo by Lactarius rufus is very low. Element correlations between Lactarius rufus and the substrate are generally poor. Within Lactarius rufus only the major nutrients (K, P, S, Mg) correlate well. Part of the study was to investigate Lactarius rufus suitability for biogeochemical exploration; although this mushroom species enriches many elements, it does not provide a good indication of the presence of the mineral occurrences.