Investigating flow mechanisms in a forest soil by mixed‐effects modelling

Uniform and preferential flow produces typical infiltration patterns. We made three tracer experiments in a Norway spruce forest soil and qualitatively identified the dominant flow regime based on stained patterns. We analysed soil texture, fine root density and soil bulk density from preferential flow paths and the soil matrix by means of linear mixed‐effects models. These models can account for dependences in the data structure caused by hierarchical sampling and can deal with missing values. There were between 44% (topsoil) and 76% (subsoil) larger root densities in preferential flow paths than in the soil matrix. No significant differences in soil texture were detected. The bulk density was greater in the soil matrix by 0.12 g cm⁻³, which is probably because of a greater soil organic matter content of preferential flow paths. Using flow patterns and model results we identified the dominant flow mechanisms. At this study site, roots constituted the main preferential flow paths and induced macropore flow, especially in the topsoil. In the subsoil, root density decreased and inhomogeneous infiltration from preferential flow paths into the soil matrix caused unstable flow.     

Sorption and transport of metals in preferential flow paths and soil matrix after the addition of wood ash

As a consequence of heterogeneous transport in soils, only a small part of the soil might be responsible for sorbing incoming elements. After staining preferential flow paths in forested Dystric Cambisol with a colour dye, we sampled soil material from the flow paths and from the soil matrix. We measured chemical properties and sorption isotherms of these two flow regions and estimated the significance of preferential flow paths for the transport of solutes leached from wood ash applied at the surface. In the A horizon (0–9 cm depth), the cation exchange capacity of the flow paths was 83.8 mmol_c kg^?1, while that of the soil matrix was only 74.6 mmol_c kg^?1. The base saturation was 42% and soil organic matter content was 41% larger in flow paths than in the soil matrix. The sorption capacity for Cu was also larger than in the matrix, whereas the sorption capacity for Sr was similar in both flow regions. The impact of the addition of 8 t wood ash ha^?1 on soil chemical properties was restricted mainly to the flow paths in the uppermost 20 cm of the soil; it was negligible in the matrix and at greater depths. Concentrations of exchangeable Ca in the flow paths increased nearly 10‐fold during the 6 months following the addition of the wood ash, and those of organically bound Pb by 50%. The opposite effect was found for exchangeable Al. Our results show that only part of the whole soil volume, approximately 50% of 0–20 cm in our study, is involved in transporting and sorbing the elements applied with the wood ash or as tracers. Such differences must be considered when calculating the maximal impact of any addition of fertilizer, wood ash, or liming agent.     

基于O-ring统计的公路边坡土壤优先流路径分布分析

引入优先流理论分析氯盐污染物在边坡土壤中的迁移机制,对揭示公路工业盐污染物迁移规律和保护路域环境具有重要意义。以鹤大高速低路基公路边坡土壤为例,采用染色示踪试验对土壤优先流路径的位置进行确定,并应用景观生态学中的空间点格局分析方法O-ring统计,对不同影响半径土壤优先流路径水平分布特征及其空间关联性进行分析。结果表明:边坡土壤优先流路径发育深度可达40 cm;相同影响半径优先流路径的数量随着土层深度的增加而减少,同一土层优先流路径的数量随影响半径的增大逐渐减少;随着影响半径的增加,聚集分布趋于显著;不同影响半径的优先流路径之间的关联性相对独立。O-ring统计,能从统计学角度量化分析土壤优先流路径的分布特征,丰富了优先流的研究方法。     

土壤水非均匀流动的碘-淀粉染色示踪研究

在壤土和粉质黏土条件下采用碘-淀粉染色示踪方法分别开展了6个和4个不同土壤初始含水率和入渗水量的示踪试验,通过分析入渗深度和染色面积分布模式来研究入渗条件(土壤初始含水率、入渗水量和土壤质地)对土壤水非均匀流动特征的影响。研究表明:①土壤初始含水率升高时,土壤水入渗深度增大,但土壤初始含水率对染色面积分布模式无明显影响;②土壤水入渗深度随入渗水量的增大而增大,但入渗水量的增大对土壤水入渗深度增大的影响有限;③当入渗水量较小时,土壤水流运动以优先流为主;随着入渗水量的增大,土壤水流运动逐渐转变成以基质流为主的流动形态;④土壤水在细质地土壤(粉质黏土)中运动具有更高的非均匀程度,非均匀流通道总宽度较窄。     

三峡库区花岗岩林地土壤特性与“优先路径”的关系

 “优先路径”是指土壤中植物根系穿插而产生的根孔、动物的运动通道和居穴、由于土壤膨胀收缩形成的裂隙,以及因湿润锋不稳定所形成的指状渗透通道等。通过在长江三峡曲溪小流域花岗岩林地坡面开挖土壤剖面,测定了“优先路径”在剖面的分布状况,并采取土壤样品,对土壤的物理特性用筛分法进行了室内测定。结果表明:剖面中距地表以下82～110cm范围内,土壤密度最小,其毛管孔隙度也较小,显示出其土壤中存在有较多非毛管孔隙构成的“优先路径”。“优先路径”在距地表以下80～100cm范围内,分布比较集中。该范围内含有较多粗颗粒物质,有利于“优先路径”的形成。“优先路径”的存在,使该层土壤稳渗速率较其他土层得以大幅度提高,土层内快速运动的水流,又加速了“优先路径”的形成与发展。“优先路径”的存在,影响着土壤物理特性,而土壤物理性质,对“优先路径”的形成与发展,也有较大影响。     

Spatial variation of tracer distribution in a structured clay field soil

Within the sensitive soils of the River Oder Basin (E Brandenburg, Germany), chloride‐tracer transport was studied with respect to soil‐surface conditions of the well structured clayey topsoil (disturbed vs. undisturbed) and irrigation mode (flooding vs. sprinkling). The spatial variation of chloride and dye distribution was sampled in a regular grid within different soil depths. Different methods were used for the analysis of spatial heterogeneity: a heterogeneity index HI derived from fitting parameters of the cumulative distribution function, semivariogram analyses to identify the spatial representativity of observations and to classify the spatial variation, and Spearman's rank correlations to examine the spatial similarity of tracer distribution across different soil depths. Soil aggregation was obvious throughout the soil profile, and macropores and fractures were preferred flow paths for the tracer. Flood irrigation resulted in more “uniform” distribution than sprinkling did. However, preferential flow was identified for all treatments, where, once established below the surface layer, flow paths led to heterogeneity indices manifesting nonuniform flow and reduced lateral mixing between macropores and soil matrix. Within the flooded plot, spatial structure of chloride concentration was moderate unlike the strongly structured variation within the sprinkled plots. For purposes to generalize and to assess regional risk of the water and solute transport within the topsoil of the River Oder Basin, spatial autocorrelation ranges of about 15 cm should be considered and included into concepts of soil protection and land‐use management, soil‐sampling strategies, or modeling approaches.     

土壤垂向分层和均匀处理下水分差异的数值探讨

在现有众多的陆面过程模型中,对土壤水分的定量描述一般是假设垂向分布均匀,取表层土壤质地来表示整个垂向土壤质地。垂向分层和均匀处理下的土壤水分是存在差异的,这种差异有多大目前少有研究。设置3组不同饱和导水率组合的层状土壤代表不同区域的非均匀土壤,取3组层状土壤的上层土壤代表整个均匀土壤,通过建立一维土壤水分运动模型分析这种差异,同时分析饱和导水率、饱和含水量、残余含水率、孔隙大小分布参数和形状参数对层状土壤和均匀土壤的渗透量和储水量差异的敏感性,探讨垂向层状和均匀处理下土壤水分运动的差异。研究结果表明:1)建立的一维土壤水分运动模型模拟的土壤水分剖面与Yeh解析解和室内五水转化试验的土壤水分剖面一致,表明模型无论是考虑还是不考虑根系吸水都具有可靠性。2)采用垂向均匀方式处理,上下层饱和导水率相差越大的层状土壤,各水文变量的差异越大。当层状土壤上下层饱和导水率相差1.5倍时,层状土壤和均匀土壤的水分分布差别小于0.05 cm~3×cm~(-3);而当层状土壤上下层饱和导水率相差达3.3倍时,层状土壤和均匀土壤的水分分布差别达0.15 cm~3×cm~(-3),渗漏量相差20 cm以上,储水量相差5 cm左右。3)相对于层状土壤下层,均匀土壤下层的持水能力更差,水流速度更快,导致下层水分分布减小,渗漏量增加,储水量减小。4)形状参数n对渗透量的敏感性最强,土壤孔隙大小分布参数对储水量的敏感性最强,形状参数n其次。在实际应用中,如果一个区域的土壤上下层饱和导水率相差较大,那么垂向均匀处理可能会导致很大的误差,和实际土壤的水分分布相差很大,这会严重影响土壤水分的准确估计,在实际处理中需要认真考虑。     

山地土壤优先流路径的染色示踪研究

在山地林区开展土壤大孔隙及优先流的实验研究,可深化对森林土壤涵养水源机理的认识,为山区的水土流失防治和植被恢复提供依据。利用剖面染色与图像分析相结合的方法,沿长江三峡大老岭-邓村一线,对山地不同垂直带内土壤优先流特征进行了调查,分析了优先流路径对剖面水分入渗过程的影响。结果显示,中山常绿落叶针阔混交林-山地黄棕壤、低山暖性针叶林-山地黄壤中大孔隙孔径大、分布广,有利于优先流的形成和入渗。受耕作扰动的弃耕土壤中大孔隙结构遭到破坏,优先流路径与森林土壤不同,且渗流强度较弱,染色区域较浅。森林土壤各发生层内优先流特征差异显著,腐殖质层内以洞穴流为主,水分与土壤基质域交换较少,多通过大孔隙快速下渗。淋溶淀积层内洞穴流消失或减弱,侧向渗透增强。低山暖性针叶林-山地黄壤质地较粗,出现以裂隙为主的大孔隙,优先流表现为裂隙流。弃耕土壤各发生层都表现为指流,染色面积随深度减小,侧向渗透基本稳定。植被-土壤垂直地带性分布是山地土壤优先流存在差异的主要原因,山区生态环境建设中应促进土壤优先流路径的发育。     

水稻子实对不同形态重金属的累积差异及其影响因素分析

在分析成都平原核心区土壤重金属(Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn)全量、各形态含量及相应点位种植的水稻子实重金属含量的基础上,通过统计分析、空间插值及线性回归方程的模拟,研究了土壤Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn全量的空间分布状况、各形态重金属含量统计特征,以及水稻子实对重金属各形态的累积差异及其影响因素。结果表明,成都平原水稻土重金属污染较轻,除Cd外,均低于国家土壤环境质量二级标准。土壤中重金属的可交换态含量均较低,Cd主要以铁锰氧化态存在,Cr、Cu、Zn、Pb主要以残渣态存在。水稻子实对5种重金属的累积效应顺序为:Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr。与水稻重金属累积关系密切的重金属活性形态(可交换态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态和有机物结合态)主要有:Cd的碳酸盐结合态、Cr的可交换态、Pb的有机物结合态和Cu的碳酸盐结合态含量;Zn各活性形态对水稻子实含量的影响不明显。土壤理化性质对不同活性形态重金属元素的影响效应各不相同。活性态Cd主要受有机质、pH和容重的影响;活性态Cr与pH、有机质、CEC和容重密切相关;活性态Pb与有机质、容重、中细粉粒、砂粒等均有密切的关系;Cu的活性主要受粘粒、有机质含量的影响;Zn的有效性主要受pH、有机质、砂粒、容重的影响。总的看来,对土壤Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn各活性形态含量影响效应较强的是有机质、pH、容重,而与土壤吸附性能密切相关的颗粒组成、CEC的影响不甚明显。     

Phosphorus fractions in preferential flow pathways and soil matrix in hillslope soils in the Thuringian Forest (Central Germany)

Phosphorus (P) is primarily transported in soil through preferential flow pathways (PFP), which can rapidly move water and matter bypassing large portions of the soil. This study investigated the composition of P forms in PFPs and soil matrix in two profiles at a forested hillslope in the Thuringian Forest (Central Germany), in order to evaluate (1) the effect of PFPs on the distribution of P fractions in forest soils, and (2) how hillslope position influences P fractions and other chemical parameters. To characterize water and mass fluxes in the profiles, flow pathways were visualized using dye tracer experiments. Stained and unstained soil material was sampled to assess differences of chemical parameters in the PFPs and soil matrix, and tested for correlations between chemical parameters to determine the factors influencing P fractions in soils. The results revealed significantly higher P contents (total P and most P fractions) in the upslope profile compared to the downslope profile. This accumulation effect in the upper profile was also observed for C, N, Fe, and Mn. The distribution of flow patterns also differed between the two profiles with stronger vertical infiltration into mineral soil and more preferential flow along stones and roots in the upslope profile compared to the downslope profile. However, the observed difference could not be addressed to hillslope effects as both test plots were located in mid‐slope position, but were strongly influenced by spatial heterogeneity (e.g ., micro‐relief). Furthermore, no statistically significant accumulation effect of P or other elements in PFPs compared to soil matrix was found. At the test site, the combination of high stone content with low potential for P sorption, and predominance of near‐surface lateral flow, appears to have hampered the development of gradients in chemical parameters between PFPs and soil matrix.     

基于电阻率层析成像技术的农田土壤优先流原位动态监测

针对现有观测技术无法原位监测和判别农田土壤优先流类型、发育位置和演化过程的问题,该研究采用电阻率层析成像技术对野外大尺度条件下的NaCl溶液入渗过程进行原位监测,根据不同时刻监测的剖面视电阻率分布对试验区域的土壤结构分布特征进行分析,对优先流通道发育位置、优先流类型和演化过程进行识别,同时对电阻率层析成像技术识别优先流的精度进行研究。结果表明,试验区域的土壤结构性质不均匀,水平方向5.0～10.0 m范围内的土壤较水平方向0～5.0 m范围内的土壤更为密实;入渗过程中在试验区域土壤疏松区水平方向4.0～5.0 m区间中有非均质指流形成;该指流通道在灌入NaCl溶液9～14 min完全形成,在灌入NaCl溶液60 min时完全退化成基质流;幂函数模型可用来建立剖面视电阻率与Cl-浓度之间的关系。研究成果对农田土壤优先流发育位置与演化过程的原位监测与识别以及防治因水和溶质优势入渗而引起的资源浪费、环境污染和工程地质灾害等具有参考价值。     

Aggregation of soil particles by iron oxides in various size fractions of soil B horizons

Quantitative relationships between aggregation of soil particles and the content of haematite and goethite were studied by removing iron oxides, with dithionitetrate-bicarbonate (DCB) and oxalate reagents, from various sizes of soil separates which were stable to sodium hexametaphosphate, and then determining the particle-size distribution. Significant quantitative relationships were found between DCB-extractable oxides and particles obtained from the separates up to 20 pm, whereas oxalate-extractable oxides were correlated only with < 0.2-μm particles. Oxalate-extractable oxides were observed to aggregate a greater quantity of fine clay and a larger surface area of particles per gram of oxide than DCB-extractable oxides, A more efficient mechanism of aggregation was postulated for the oxalate-extractable oxides than for the DCB-extractable oxides. There were fewer aggregated particles in soils containing haematite and goethite than in soils containing only goethite. This was attributed to differences in pedoenvironment, rather than to a difference in the behaviour of the oxides. Although various clay minerals were identified in the soils studied, no preferential aggregation of any mineral was observed.     

耦合基质区与裂隙网络的土壤优先流模型及验证

该文旨在通过分析土壤裂隙存在下的土壤优先流运动模式与特点,建立耦合基质区与裂隙网络的土壤优先流模型(crack preferential flow model,CP模型)。用控制体积有限元法求解两区土壤水分运动的基本方程,采用整体法将土壤基质水流运动方程和三维土壤裂隙网络区水流运动方程耦合。模拟与试验结果表明,增加降雨或灌溉强度能促进激活裂隙通道作为优先流通道,有利于优先流形成。CP模型及耦合方法较好地描述出了优先流运动的特点,模拟与实测的土壤饱和度均方根误差为0.016~0.025,决定系数均在0.78以上(P0.05),偏差为0.020~0.026,一致性指标为0.918~0.938。与等效连续体模型(Richards模型)相比较,CP模型模拟裂隙存在情况下土壤水流非均匀性规律更有效。研究丰富了土壤优先流理论,对提高农田水分利用率具有重要的意义。     

北京地区2种类型土壤优先流染色形态特征及其影响因素

通过野外染色示踪试验结合室内图像解析技术,对北京地区2种类型土壤(淋溶褐土和潮土)进行了优先流染色形态特征及其影响因素研究。结果表明:(1)样地土壤用浓度为4g/L的亮蓝溶液27.3L染色后,淋溶褐土基质流深度均值为7.72cm,潮土为8.56cm,潮土优先流发生相对滞后;(2)淋溶褐土的优先流比、染色面积比、最大染色深度和长度指数均大于潮土,优先流现象更明显;(3)淋溶褐土优先路径集中区较多,侧向流较发达,且染色面积比和土壤深度相关性大于潮土,两者关系更密切;(4)2种类型土壤的土壤质地和土壤有机质与染色面积比显著相关(P0.01),直径为1~3mm的根长密度也和染色面积比呈显著相关(P0.05)。淋溶褐土优先流现象比潮土更明显,2种类型土壤对优先流染色特征影响较大的为土壤质地、土壤有机质和直径为1~3mm的根长密度。     

红河干旱河谷地区植物根系与砾石对土壤优先路径形成的影响

为探究红河干旱河谷林草地植物根系与砾石特征对土壤优先路径形成的影响,基于染色示踪法在确定研究区样地土壤优先路径的位置及数量的基础上,结合染色区的植物根系与砾石体积含量特征,定量分析二者与优先路径特征的关系。结果表明:(1)林地优先路径发育水平明显优于荒草地; 不同染色影响半径范围下的优先路径连通性也有所不同,其中荒草地中优先路径连通性从大到小为1～2.5 mm,≤1 mm,2.5～5 mm,5～10 mm,>10 mm; 林地为1～2.5 mm,2.5～5 mm,≤1 mm,5～10 mm,>10 mm; 优先路径数量与土层深度和同一土层内染色半径均呈负相关关系,此外,在同一土层内,优先路径的数量与染色半径也呈负相关关系。(2)林地中染色区的砾石总体积含量与土层深度呈负相关,而荒草地中在20—30 cm土层中增多,其余径级下的则随土层深度增加而减少;(3)两种样地中的根长密度与根重密度都随土层的深度增加和根径增大而单调递减,林地中不同径级下的根长密度都明显高于荒草地;(4)林地中优先路径数量的主要影响因子是根径范围在≤1 mm的根重密度和径级为5～10 mm的砾石体积含量; 而荒草地样地中的主要影响因子为根径在≤1 mm和1～3 mm范围下的根重密度、径级在2～5 mm间的砾石体积含量、根径在1～3 mm范围下的根长密度。因此,样地中砾石分布存在明显的空间异质性,细根更易促进优先路径的形成,二者共同影响着优先路径的形成。     

Transport of commercial endosulfan through a column of aggregated vineyard soil by a water flux simulating field conditions

Endosulfan is a potentially harmful, degradation resistant pesticide that is found in soils where it has been used. Despite being hydrophobic and having high affinity for soil matrix components, it has also been found in groundwater. To investigate this behavior, we studied the passage of a commercial emulsified formulation through a column of aggregated vineyard soil under simulated light rain. Breakthrough data were obtained using gas chromatography with electron capture detection to determine the concentration of endosulfan in samples extracted from the column periodically at several depths. These data, and analogous data obtained previously for the passage of bromide, were analyzed using the program CXTFIT v.2. Analysis of the bromide data strongly suggested the existence of preferential flow paths in the column. The endosulfan data were adequately accounted for by a model in which the preferential flow and nonpreferential flow regions are almost isolated from each other. These regions differ also as regards both the partition of endosulfan between soil and soil solution and the rate at which reversibly adsorbed endosulfan is transformed into irreversibly adsorbed endosulfan. The "irreversibility" sink term accounts also for biological and chemical degradation of endosulfan. The findings imply that soil humidity favors the transport of commercial endosulfan by the formation and maintenance of preferential flow paths in soil, controlling both the presence of endosulfan in groundwater and its high persistence in soil.     

紫色土坡耕地土壤大孔隙流的定量评价

为阐明大孔隙丰富且孔径呈两极分化的紫色土坡耕地土壤大孔隙流的运移规律,通过室内土柱试验获取耕作层0~20 cm、非耕作层20~40 cm原状土柱和填装土柱的穿透曲线,分析饱和条件下土壤大孔隙流发生规律,并采用解析法CXTFIT软件拟合了水分优先运移参数,PFSP指标(大孔隙流引起的穿透曲线延展量与水动力弥散作用及两区作用引起的延展量的比值)定量评价土壤大孔隙流的贡献率。研究结果表明:1)以填装土柱水流为平衡基质流计算,耕作层0~20 cm原状土柱中大孔隙流的导水贡献率为66.2%~68.5%,而Br-累积淋出量占总淋出量的62.3%~66.1%。对于非耕作层20~40 cm,土壤大孔隙流导水贡献率为0.2%~1.7%,而Br-随大孔隙流运移的比例却达14.5%~20.5%。说明耕作层土壤中大孔隙流现象远比在非耕作层土壤中更为显著;2)PFSP值结果表明大孔隙流作用对穿透曲线延展量的贡献率最大,两区交换运移作用次之,水动力弥散作用的最小。即PFSP值越大,大孔隙流对总水流通量的贡献率越大。     

Interaction Between Plant Roots and Soil Water Flow in Response to Preferential Flow Paths in Northern China

Preferential flow is expected to provide preferential channels for plant root growth and variations in soil water flow, but few studies were conducted to imply the impacts of these changes, particularly for preferential flow in stony soils. This study aimed to characterize soil water flow and plant root distribution in response to preferential flow paths and quantitatively describe the relation between plant root distribution and soil water flow. Field dye‐tracing experiments centered on experimental plants were conducted to determine the root length density and soil water flow process. Laboratory analyses were performed to characterize changes in the relative concentration of the accumulated effluent and the degree of interaction between plant roots and soil water flow. The amount of fine plant roots with preferential flow paths decreased with increasing soil depth for all experimental plots. The largest plant roots were recorded in the upper soil layers to a depth of 20 cm. The relative concentration of the accumulated effluent increased with time and decreased with soil depth under saturated soil conditions, whereas a distinct early turning point for the relative concentration of the accumulated effluent was observed in the 0–20‐cm soil columns, and the relative concentration of the accumulated effluent initially decreased and then increased with time under unsaturated soil conditions. This study provides quantitative information with which to characterize the interaction between plant roots and soil water flow in response to preferential flow paths in soil–plant–water systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilised carbon in subsoil horizons is located in spatially distinct parts of the soil profile

Soil organic matter (SOM) stabilisation in subsoil horizons received much attention in recent years, due to the presence of compounds with very long residence times. The reasons for enhanced organic carbon stabilisation in subsoil horizons are poorly understood. In this study, we characterised SOM in adjacent soil compartments with different pedological functioning. We sampled SOM in visually identifiable zones in form of tongues and the adjacent soil matrix from deep soil horizons (60-140 cm depth) of 3 profiles under agricultural land. The samples were analysed for elemental and isotopic composition, radiocarbon age, chemical composition and lignin signature. The objective of the study was to examine if the tongues are characterised by contrasting carbon amounts and composition with regards to the soil matrix.Our results indicate that tongues have two times higher carbon content and are depleted in ¹⁵N with regards to the adjacent soil matrix. SOM in the tongues is characterised by up to modern radiocarbon ages, whereas SOM in the adjacent soil matrix is several thousand years old. Twenty percent more HF soluble carbon in the soil matrix suggest that more mineral bound, highly mobile SOM is present compared to tongues. Differences in chemical composition concern the lignin component, which seems to be preserved in the soil matrix. These data may be explained by different functioning in the two parts of the soil profile. In tongues, fresh carbon input by preferential flow and/or roots may lead to higher SOM turnover compared to the soil matrix. This heterogeneous distribution of stabilised SOM must be taken into account, when studying carbon sequestration in deep soil horizons.     

Fate of heavy metals in a strongly acidic shooting‐range soil: small‐scale metal distribution and its relation to preferential water flow

To assess the mobility of Pb and associated metals in a highly contaminated shooting range soil (Losone, Ticino, Switzerland), we investigated the spatial distribution of the metals and their relation to preferential water flow paths. A 2.2 m² plot located 40 m behind the stop butt was irrigated with a solution containing bromide and Brilliant Blue, a slightly sorbing dye. A soil profile 50 cm in width was sampled down to 80 cm with a spatial resolution of 2.5 cm, resulting in 626 samples. Concentrations of elements (12 ≤ Z ≤ 92) were determined by energy‐dispersive Xray fluorescence spectrometry, and Brilliant Blue concentrations were determined with a chromameter. In the acidic (pH 3), organic matter‐rich, well drained Dystric Cambisol, maximum concentrations of 80.9 g kg^‐1 Pb, 4.0 g kg^‐1 Sb, and 0.55 g kg^‐1 Cu were measured in the topsoil. Within 40 cm soil depth, however, Pb, Sb, and Cu approached background concentrations of 23 mg kg^‐1, 0.4 mg kg^‐1, and 9.4 mg kg^‐1, respectively. The even horizontal distribution and the steep gradient along soil depth indicate tight metal binding in the topsoil, and a fairly homogeneous transport front. In contrast, water flow through the profile was highly heterogeneous. In the uppermost 20 cm, preferential flow was initiated by heterogeneous infiltration at the soil surface, but had no influence on metal distribution. Below 20 cm, however, preferential flow originated from larger tree roots, and metal concentrations were significantly elevated along these macropores. Spatial distributions of Pb, Sb, and Cu were similar, suggesting that all three metals are strongly retained in the topsoil and transported along preferential water flow paths in the subsoil.