Geochemical background - can we calculate it?

The term "background" is discussed and a definition is suggested to put an end to the currently unsatisfying (non-)definition of geochemical or natura l background. Based on the requirements stated in the definition, several s imple and robust statistical methods are applied to different data sets (n> 50) from the atmosphere, pedosphere, and bisosphere in order to explore the ir potential for the evaluation of a useful and robust background. Compared with the original data set both the calculated distribution based upon the lower 50% of the values, as well as a 2 sigma-approximation of the normali sed data set lead to promising and realistic results. Both methods seem app ropriate for a fast and reliable evaluation of likely upper limits of backg round values. Nevertheless, even this robust method is not able to present absolute and doubtlessly correct background values. True quantification of any natural or geochemical background still requires a thorough investigati on and is impossible without costly expert knowledge.