Distribution Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements in Zhongning Lycium Barbarum and Its Producing Soils

In order to investigate the distribution characteristics of rare earth elements in the surface soil and soil of <italic>Lycium barbarum</italic> in Zhongning County, Ningxia Province, a total of 111 samples of <italic>Lycium barbarum</italic> and soil were collected from June to October 2020. The contents of 14 rare earth elements in <italic>Lycium barbarum</italic> and soil were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the pollution degree and distribution mode were evaluated. The results showed that there was no pollution of rare earth elements in the planting soil of <italic>Lycium barbarum</italic> in Zhongning County, and the clear fractionation of light rare earth elements was obvious, and the rare earth elements in the soil of <italic>Lycium barbarum</italic> and its producing place had a certain homology. Rare earth elements could be used as an indicator of the origin of <italic>Lycium barbarum</italic> and as a tracer of soil interference caused by human activities.