Abstract: A method for the determination of 54 elements including rare earth elements and rare-dispersed elements in soil samples by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was developed. Sample was decomposed with HClO₄-HF-HNO₃. Through the experiments, the measurement spectral lines of the elements were selected, spectrum positions for background subtraction were optimized and the interference correction coefficients were calculated. The method has been applied to the determination of elements in National Standard Reference materials and the results are in agreement with certified values with precision of less than 6.0%RSD. The method also has been used in regional soil geochemical survey with advantages of less reagent consumption, simple operation and more efficient.