Bulk sediment bioassays with five species of fresh-water oligochaetes

The fluxes of metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni) in two spruce forest soils in S. Sweden were quantified using the lysimeter technique. Amounts in precipitation (dry and wet), throughfall, litterfall and annual accumulation in biomass were also quantified, as well as stores in soil and biomass. The metal concentrations of the soil solutions varied greatly according to season. The leaching of some metals (Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, and organic forms of Al) was associated with the leaching of organic matter. These complexes were leached from the A horizon in considerable amounts. They were precipitated in the upper B horizon and only small amounts were transported further downward. By contrast, the leaching of Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cd, Zn, Ni, and inorganic forms of Al increased with increasing soil depth. The concentrations of these metals also increased with increasing soil solution acidity. The highest concentrations were often found at the transition to the C horizon. The amounts of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Al, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni leached from the rooting zone were found to be larger than the amounts deposited from the atmosphere, the main source of these metals being the mineral soil. The reverse was true of Ph, Cu, and Fe, the sink being the upper part of the B horizon.     

我国几种土壤中铁锰结核的元素组成和地球化学特点

The objective of this research was to isolate a dichlorvos （2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate）-degrading strain of Ochrobactrum sp., and determine its effectiveness in remediation of a dichlorvos-contaminated soil. A dichlorvos-degrading bacterium （strain DDV-1） was successfully isolated and identified as an Ochrobactrum sp. based on its 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Strain DDV-1 was able to utilize dichlorvos as a sole carbon source, and the optimal pH and temperature for its cell growth and degradation were 7.0 and 30 ℃, respectively. Also, the growth and degradation of strain DDV-1 showed the same response to dissolved oxygen. In addition, the soil degradation test indicated that in soil spiked with 100 mg L^-1 or 500 mg L^-1 dichlorvos and inoculated with 0.5% or 1.0% （v/v） strain DDV-1, complete degradation of dichlorvos could be achieved in 24 h. The present study showed that strain DDV-1 was a fast dichlorvos-degrading bacterium in soil. However, further research will be needed to clarify the degradation pathway and the properties of the key enzymes involved in its biodegradation.     

Gehalte von Baumwurzeln an chemischen Elementen einschließlich Schwermetallen aus Luftverunreinigungen

Concentrations of chemical elements in tree roots including heavy metals from air pollution Total concentrations of P, S, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were measured in roots from beech, spruce, ash, maple and a forest herb (Mercurialis perennis). The root samples were taken from a site with an acid soil type (Saure Braunerde) and from a site with calcareous soil (Rendzina). All elements except Mn, Zn and Pb (on acid soils) and Ca (on calcareous soils) showed higher concentrations in finest roots (<1 mm diameter) compared to fine roots (1–2 mm). In the case of the toxic heavy metals, this is interpreted as a consequence of reduced root uptake due to physiological processes or to organic complexing, followed by an accumulation at the root surface. Compared with aboveground plant parts, roots show accumulation of Al, Pb, Cd and Zn, indicating reduced translocation from roots to shoots. Roots from acid soil show higher concentrations of P, Mn, and Pb than in calcareous soil. The concentrations of Al and heavy metals in the roots are considered to be a consequence of the contamination of the investigated forest sites by long-range transported air pollutants, i.e. acid precipitation and deposition of heavy metals.     

Comparison of major and trace element concentrations in Danish greenhouse tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Cv. Aromata F1) cultivated in different substrates

The concentration of major and trace elements was determined for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumcv. Aromata F1) fruits grown in three different substrate systems. The systems were soil and rockwool irrigated with a normal nutrient solution and rockwool irrigated with a nutrient solution with elevated electrical conductivity (EC). At three harvest times, tomato fruits were analyzed for Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn by ICP-AES and for Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, and V by HR-ICPMS. The concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn were significantly different (p < 0.05) for tomato fruits grown on the different substrates. Between the harvest times different levels (p < 0.05) were shown for Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn Na, Ni, Sr, Zn Cu, K, Mg, P, Sn, and V. The concentration of Cd was >15 times higher and the concentration of Ca was 50-115% higher in soil-grown fruits than in rockwool-grown fruits. Principal component analysis applied on each harvest split the data into two groups. One group includes soil-grown fruits, and the other group includes rockwool-grown fruits with the two different nutrient solutions.     

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric determination of minerals in thyme honeys and their contribution to geographical discrimination

Twenty-four Spanish thyme honey samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Twenty-four minerals were quantified for each honey. The elements Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, and Zn were detected in all samples; seven elements are very abundant (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Si), and six are not abundant (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, and Zn). Eleven of them are trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mo, Pb, Se, Sr, and V) at <1 mg kg(-)(1). Classification of thyme honeys according to their origin (coast, mountains) was achieved by pattern recognition techniques on the mineral data. By means of principal component analysis, a good separation by geographical origin is obtained when scores for the two first principal components are plotted. Classification functions of 11 metals (Al, As, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, and V) were obtained using stepwise discriminant analysis and applied to classify correctly approximately 100% of the honey samples.     

Biomonitoring of Water Pollution with Elodea Canadensis. A Case Study of Three Small Polish Rivers with Different Levels of Pollution

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - Concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn,N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and S were measured in water, river bottomsediments and in Elodea canadensis...     

Fluctuations of element concentrations during the growing season of Polytrichum formosum (Hedw.)

Fourteen elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, and Zn) were quantitatively determined by AES/ICP in aboveground parts of the endohydric moss Polytrichum formosum (Hedw.) after sampling over regular intervals from 1985 to 1987. With the exception of K, Mg, and Zn all elements showed a large continuous fluctuation (> 30%) during the growing season. Four different patterns of seasonal variation were found: (1) large seasonal variations of element concentrations (～80%) with maximum concentrations in winter and lowest concentrations in the summer months (Al, Fe, Cr, Mg, Pb, and Ti), (2) smaller seasonal variations (～50%) with maximum concentrations in winter and lowest concentrations in summer (Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Sr), (3) slight seasonal variations (～30%) with maximum concentrations in the summer (K), and (4) slight seasonal changes (～30%) with maximum concentrations in the winter (Mg and Zn). The relative biological variance of element concentrations between 9 different stands of Polytrichum formosum decreases in the following sequence: Ti, Al, Pb, Fe, Cr, Ni, Ba, Ca, Cu, Cd, K, Mg, Sr, Zn. The relative biological variance of individual elements is generally lower than the variance in element concentrations caused by seasonal changes. Because of its high biological variance for most elements investigated (seasonal as well as between different stands of Polytrichum formosum) this moss should only be used as a passive bioindicator, if all other environmental parameters are standardized.     

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG METALS IN THE SOLID PHASE OF SOILS AND IN WILD PLANTS

The relationships between plant and soil systems were investigated using multivariate statistical methods and relative ionic impulsions. Soil samples were taken from three locations and wild plant species consisted of:Poa, Pteridium aquilinum, Diplotaxis, Plantago lanceolata andTrifolium repens. The content of Mg, Ca, Na, K, Mn, Fe, Pb, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr in soils and plants was determined. A five-step chemical fractionation procedure (speciation) was applied to soil samples. Total metal contents were determined and amounts extracted with HCl, EDTA and DTPA were measured. Pb, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd and Cr in soils (considered as microconstituents for plants) show a greater number of statistically significant relationships with plant contents than those shown by macroconstituents (Mg, Ca, Na, K and Mn). On the other hand, only Zn and Pb extracted with EDTA and DTPA seem to be related to metal contents in wild plants. When using relative ionic impulsions, any soil fraction (obtained from the fractionation procedure, including the soluble fraction, which is the sum of all the fractions except the residual) is suitable for the study of soil-plant system, suggesting a global balance among all the fractions. Our results suggested an active assimilation for K and a passive uptake for Na, Ca and Mn. Furthermore, Fe seemed to favour the active assimilation of the other microelements.     

Effects of acid rain on ion leaching in a danish forest soil

The mobility of major cations (H⁺, ammonium, Al, Ca, Na, Mg, K, Fe), heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd) and anions (chloride, sulphate and nitrate) was studied in the laboratory in an acidified brown soil from a Norway spruce forest. Lysimeters containing undisturbed soil columns of the A-horizon and the A- plus B-horizon were watered with 540 mm of throughfall precipitation collected in situ, either directly (pH 3.6) or adjusted to pH 3.3 or 2.8. The pH 3.3 treatment increased leaching of Mn and Cd from the B-horizon. The pH 2.8 treatment increased leaching of ammonium, Na, Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Zn and Cd from the A-horizon and ammonium, Al, Na, Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Zn and Cd from the B-horizon. Fe leaching from the A-horizon was decreased by both acidic treatments, and the pH of the leachates was not significantly affected. Sulphate retention was 138-161 meq m^?2 yr^?1 by all treatments. Due to experimental conditions nitrate leaching was observed in all lysimeters.     

Use of the O Horizon of Forest Soils in Monitoring Metal Deposition in Latvia

The concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, V,Ni, Cr, Fe Ca, Mg and K were determined in the organicsoil layer (O horizon) of pine forests in Latvia. Theconcentrations were expressed on a mass, volume andsurface area basis. When concentrations were calculatedper unit mass of the O horizon, significant positivecorrelations between concentrations in the O horizon andPleurozium schreberi were achieved for mostelements (excepting Cr, Ca and K), and to lesser degreesfor Cu, Pb, Zn, V, Ni and Fe when calculated on a volumeor area basis. Non-rotated principal components analysisidentified a major soil factor related to bulk density(volume- and area-based concentrations). The main groupsof related elements defined by varimax-rotated PCAcomponents were similar for the mass- and volume-baseddata, and regions with elevated levels of these elementscould be related to local pollution sources, similar tothe patterns previously reported from surveys based onmoss.     

Determining baseline element composition of lichens

Element-concentration baselines are given for Parmelia sulcata and associated soils. Parmelia chlorochroa was found sporadically and therefore only representative concentration ranges are reported for this species. Element data include (1) for lichens; Al, As, Ba, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Sr, S, Ti, V, Y, and Zn; and (2) for soils: Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Cs, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Nb, P, Pb, Sr, S, Ti, V, Y, and Zn. Very little (usually < 10 %) of the variability in the element data for lichen material occurs regionally (> 7.2 km); thus, P sukata is, in general, chemically similar throughout the park. This same uniformity was found for soil geochemistry. Numerous samples collected at close intervals would be required, therefore, to produce detailed element-concentration maps for P. sulcata and soils. No instances of elemental phytotoxic conditions were found; however, P. sulcata apparently possesses large concentrations of Ba, Cu, Fe, Pb, S, V, and possibly Zn.     

Searching the most appropriate sample pretreatment for the elemental analysis of wines by inductively coupled plasma-based techniques

Different sample preparation methods were evaluated for the simultaneous multielement analysis of wine samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Microwave-assisted digestion in closed vessel, thermal digestion in open reactor, and direct sample dilution were considered for the determination of Li, Be, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Tl, Pb, and Bi in 12 samples of red wine from Valencia and Utiel-Requena protected designation of origin. ICP-MS allows the determination of 17 elements in most of the samples, and using ICP-OES, a maximum of 15 elements were determined. On comparing the sample pretreatment methodology, it can be concluded that the three assayed procedures provide comparable results for the concentration of Li, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Sr by ICP-OES. Furthermore, ICP-MS data found for Cu, Pb, and Ba were comparable. Digestion treatment provides comparable values using both total decomposition in open system and microwave-assisted treatment for Cu by ICP-OES and for Cr, Ni, and Zn by ICP-MS. Open vessel total digestion provides excess values for Cr, Mn, Fe, and Zn by ICP-OES and defect values for Se. However, direct measurement of diluted wine samples provided uncomparable results with the digestion treatment for Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ba, and Bi by ICP-OES and for Mg, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn by ICP-MS. Therefore, it can be concluded that microwave-assisted digestion is the pretreatment procedure of choice for elemental analysis of wine by ICP-based techniques.     

Vergleich zwischen Total- und königswasserextrahierbaren Elementgehalten in natürlichen Böden und Sedimenten

Comparison between total- and aqua regia extractable contents of elements in natural soils and sediments Total- and aqua regia extractable contents of 19 elements from 28 soil samples with widely varying composition of the ISE ring analytical program (INTERNATIONAL SOIL-ANALYTICAL EXCHANGE) of the year 1995 to 1997 have been taken to find out the comparability between the two fractions. The relations between the two fractions and pH, organic matter and clay content were considered by means of single and multiple regressions. The correlations between the total and aqua regia extractable contents of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn are very close, whereas Al, Ba, K, Na and Sr are not or only weakly correlating. The multiple regressions show that the content of some aqua regia extractable elements and the proportion (in %) of the total contents is correlated with pH, organic matter and/or content of clay. In the same way the proportion of aqua regia extractable elements is closely related (except Fe and Hg) to the soil pH. Hereby the proportion of the aqua regia extractable content increases with increasing pH in the range 3,5—7,7. The determined equations are tested for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn by using the values of certified reference material. The estimated aqua regia extractable contents are being compared with values of reference material. The average proportion of the calculated to the measured aqua regia contents of an element in percent are 99 for Zn, 98 for Co, Cu and Mn, 94 for Cd, 90 for Ni, 88 for Cr, 105 for Hg, 113 for As and 114 for Pb.     

Effect of Metal Ions on the Entomopathogenic Nematode Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora Poinar (Nematoda: Heterohabditidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

The effect of sixteen metal ions: Al, Cd, Co(II), Cr(III), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Fe(III), Li, Mg, Mn(II), Mo(VI), Ni(II), Pb(II), Se(IV), V(V), and Zn on the mortality and infectivity ofHeterorhabditis bacteriophora were observed over a 96 hr period. All ions except Pb(II) even at naturally unrealistic concentrations did not cause the mortality of the nematodes. A weak vitalizing effect could eventually be observed with Mn(II), Mg, Fe(III) and Ni(II) (Table 1). However, such treatment generally lowered infectivity of the nematodes with respect to wax moth caterpillars.Galleria mellonella. This effect was particularly significant with Ni(II) and Pb(II).     

Influence of pollution and acidification on metal concentrations in Finnish Lapland lake sediments

Fifteen Finnish Lapland lakes have been investigated to study pollution levels and possible acidification effects on nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and aluminium (Al) concentrations in sediments. Four lakes have average water pH lower than 6.0 and alkalinity lower than 0.050 meq/1. Contamination factor (C_f, ratio of metal concentrations in the uppermost to the deepest layers for a given lake sediment core) of Pb is high, particularly for acidic and acidifying lakes (C_f=5.2–10.4). Ni, Cu, Co, Zn and Cd concentrations increase insignificantly towards sediment surface of some lakes (with a neutral pH) with the rare exception. The influence of passible lake acidification consists of decreasing Cu, Cd, Al, Zn concentrations and organic material contents (loss on ignition) towards the sediment surface. The buffer capacity index (BCI), determined as the ratio of the sum of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals (K, Na, Ca, Mg) to Al, is lower for acidic lakes (from 0.12 to 0.36), whereas for the other lakes the BCI values are higher (from 0.42 to 1.34). Thus, BCI-values, decreased contents of Al, Cd, Zn and Cu, as well as organic matter contents (OMC in the upper lake sediment suggest acidification of freshwater environments.     

华中黄棕壤和黄褐土粘粒胶膜的微量元素地球化学特征

The relationships between the basic properties and trace elementsin soil argillans and corresponding matrix soils were studied by sampling from the B horizons of 26 Alfisols in croplands of the subtropical area in Central China. The soil elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Co, Cu, Cr, Cd, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, and Zn) were extracted by acid digestion and their contents were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The mean contents of clay and organic matter in the argillans were approximately 1.1 and 1.3 times greater than those in the matrix soils, respectively. The pH values and the contents of P₂O₅ and bases (K₂O, Na₂O, CaO, and MgO) in the argillans were higher than those in the corresponding matrix soils. Cu, Cd, Ti, and V were enriched in the argillans. Correlation coefficients and factor analyses showed that Co, Cu, Li, and Zn were bound with phyllosilicates and manganese oxides (Mn-oxides) in the argillans. Cr and Pb were mainly associated with iron oxides (Fe-oxides), while Ni was bound with Mn-oxides. Cd, Ti, and V were chiefly associated with phyllosilicates, but Cr and Mo were rarely enriched in the argillans. In contrast, in the matrix soils, Co and Zn were associated with organic matter and Fe-oxides, Cr existed in phyllosilicates, and Mo was bound to Fe-oxides. Cd, Ti, and V were associated with organic matter. The results of this study suggest that clays, organic matter, and minerals in the argillans dominate the illuviation of trace elements in Alfisols. Argillans might be the active interfaces of elemental exchange and nutrient supply in cropland soils in Central China.     

Heavy metal contamination of soils in Northern Slovakia

Environmental damages like forest decline in Northern Slovakia could be a result of long-distance transport of pollutants with the dominating north-west winds. On 10 sites, primarily in the northbound upper slopes of west-east oriented mountain ranges in Northern Slovakia, the extent of the heavy metal contamination in soils along a north-south transect was examined. Oi, Oe, Oa, A, and B horizons were sampled and the total concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined. The ranges of heavy metal concentrations in the forest floor were higher than reported for comparable samples from Bavarian soils except for Zn (Cd: 0.65–1.77; Cr: 12–40; Cu: 19–41; Ni: 8–24; Pb: 70–187; Zn: 31–92 mg kg^?1), in the mineral soil the concentrations were lower. The depth distribution of the metal concentrations indicated a contamination with Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The concentration differences between forest floor and mineral soil tended to be higher at the northern than at the southern sites for Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, indicating a long-distance transport from the north. Correlation and principal component analyses of the total metal concentrations revealed three groups: Cu, Pb, and Zn inputs mainly seemed to result from long-distance transport from the north, Cr and Ni inputs additionally from local sources. Cd probably had its origin mainly in local sources. This result was further confirmed by the grouping of the sites when clustered.     

Effect of metal ions under laboratory conditions on the entomopathogenic Steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)

The effects of sixteen metal ions: Al, Cd, Co(II), Cr(III), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Fe(III), Li, Mg, Mn(H), Mo(VI), Ni(II), Pb(II), Se(IV), V(V), and Zn on the mortality and infectivity of Steinernema carpocapsae were observed in 96 hour laboratory tests. All ions except Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn even at naturally unrealistic concentrations did not cause the mortality of S. carpocapsae. However, such treatment lowered infectivity of nematodes with respect to wax moth caterpillars, Galleria mellonella.     

Geochemical investigations on atmospheric precipitation in a medium-sized city (Göttingen,F.R.G.)

The concentration of 27 elements was investigated in 10 samples of precipitation from Göttingen, collected during May and September 1972. Göttingen is a non-industrial town of 130000 inhabitants, situated in a rural area, and essentially all the dissolved and undissolved material in rainwater is locally derived. Elemental concentrations in freshwater and shale are used for comparison with the dissolved elements in precipitation and the undissolved residue. The two phases have been separated after evaporation (concentration factors: 15 to 25-times). Phosphorous, Zn, Mn, and Pb are enriched in rainwater, while Si, Mg, Na, Ca, Cl, Fe, Hg, K, Li, and Al are depleted relative to average freshwater. Sulfate, Cd, and Cu have similar concentrations in rain and freshwater. The factors of accumulation between elements in residue and average shale are calculated after normalization to the Al-value. They are: ? 100 for Ag, Hg, Pb; between 10 and 20 for Zn, Cd, P, Cu, Mo; > 2 for Cr, Bi, Ni, Ba, Ti, V ; between 0.9 and 2.0 for Rb, K, Na, Li, Mg, Mn, Fe, Si, Ca; and 0.5 for Tl. The trace element accumulation is due to different anthropogenic sources: combustion of liquid petroleum fuels contributes to Ph, V, Ni, Mo, Hg, and sulfate, combustion of coal to Ba, sulfate, and chloride, and to the. readily volatile elements such as Hg, Cd, Tl, Bi, and Ag, combustion of refuse to Ag, Bi, Pb, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ba, and Mo in highly variable amounts. Fertilizers and road salts change the chemistry of soils and indirectly supply P, alkali and alkaline-earth metals to the fly dust. Modest industrial activity is responsible for high Cu and Cr concentrations. Despite the appreciable accumulation of some toxic elements, the precipitation in Göttingen is relatively pure compared to other areas. Favorable geologic conditions around Göttingen decrease the negative influences of potentially harmful airborne elements. The high carbonate content in the dust neutralizes the anthropogenic acids in the rainwater. Furthermore, the toxic trace elements are diluted, especially in the center of Göttingen, by a large amount of airborne dust.     

Modelling trace metal extractability and solubility in French forest soils by using soil properties

Soil/solution partitioning of trace metals (TM: Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sb, Pb and Zn) has been investigated in six French forest sites that have been subjected to TM atmospheric inputs. Soil profiles have been sampled and analysed for major soil properties, and CaCl₂‐extractable and total metal content. Metal concentrations (expressed on a molar basis) in soil (total), in CaCl₂ extracts and soil solution collected monthly from fresh soil by centrifugation, were in the order: Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Sb > Cd , Zn > Cu > Pb = Ni > Co > Cd > Cr and Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cr > Cd > Sb , respectively. Metal extractability and solubility were predicted by using soil properties. Soil pH was the most significant property in predicting metal partitioning, but TM behaviour differed between acid and non‐acid soils. TM extractability was predicted significantly by soil pH for pH < 6, and by soil pH and Fe content for all soil conditions. Total metal concentration in soil solution was predicted well by soil pH and organic carbon content for Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Zn, by Fe content for Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sb and total soil metal content for Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sb, with a better prediction for acidic conditions (pH < 6). At more alkaline pH conditions, solute concentrations of Cu, Cr, Sb and Pb were larger than predicted by the pH relationship, as a consequence of association with Fe colloids and complexing with dissolved organic carbon. Metal speciation in soil solutions determined by WHAM‐VI indicated that free metal ion (FMI) concentration was significantly related to soil pH for all pH conditions. The FMI concentrations of Cu and Zn were well predicted by pH alone, Pb by pH and Fe content and Cd, Co and Ni by soil pH and organic carbon content. Differences between soluble total metal and FMI concentrations were particularly large for pH < 6. This should be taken into account for risk and critical load assessment in the case of terrestrial ecosystems.