The rare earth elements (REE) concentrations in the waters of Obuki hot spring, Tamagawa geothermal system, Akita Prefecture, Japan, have been determined in order to investigate their long-term variations over a 30-year period. The temporal patterns of REE and SO42- concentrations are synchronous. Leaching experiments using source rock demonstrated that the relatively high REE concentrations in the waters were likely the result of dissolution of near-surface rocks by the acidic waters. The non-magnetic mineral group, enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) and Eu(II), is easily attacked by the acid solution. The LREE will be selectively dissolved from the non-magnetic mineral group when the SO42- concentration is increased by SO2 derived from magmatic gases. (c) 2006 CNR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.