Localised mobilisation of metals, as measured by diffusive gradients in thin-films, in soil historically treated with sewage sludge

► Adjacent trace metal soil profiles were measured using DGT at 5 mm vertical intervals. ► The metals had sharp maxima within a two dimensional framework. ► Mobilisation of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn were strongly linked to mobilisation of Mn. ► There was a strong linkage between Pb and Fe mobilisation. ► Mobilisation was probably due to localised pH minima associated with fast C turnover.