Constant-phase elements (CPE) are used extensively in equivalent electrical circuits for fitting of experimental impedance data. The CPE behavior is generally attributed to distributed surface reactivity, surface inhomogeneity, roughness or fractal geometry, electrode porosity, and to current and potential distributions associated with electrode geometry. In this work, different electrochemical systems showing the CPE dependence in the high-frequency range for the overall impedance were considered. Local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was found to provide a good means for assessing the influence of local variations on the CPE behavior seen in global impedance measurements. A separation between 2D and 3D distributions could be easily observed. In the case of a 2D distribution (AZ91 Mg alloy), the origin of the CPE behavior was the distribution of high-frequency resistance associated with the geometry of the disk electrode whereas, the capacitance was independent of position. In the case of the aluminium electrode, the CPE behavior could be attributed to a combination of 3D and 2D distributions. Geometric distributions can play a significant role in the impedance response of electrochemical systems, and these distributions can lead to CPE behavior. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.