Fate and behaviour of Cu and Zn from pig slurry spreading in a tropical water-soil-plant system

► All Cu and Zn accumulate in soil after pig slurry spreading. ► Zn fate after pig slurry spreading differs in tropical and temperate systems. ► Zn seems to reversibly sorb on soil then long-term Zn leaching is possible. ► Cu fate after pig slurry spreading seems independent of the soil-climate system. ► The uncertainty in the mass balance calculation under real field conditions is high.