This paper presents preliminary results from a series of experiments constructed to provide laboratory data for the evaluation of the leaching of wood preservatives into and through soil. The experiments included: i) measurement of the adsorption of preservatives by soil; ii) determination of the concentration gradient of preservatives in soil following percolation of preservative solution through soil; iii) determination of the changes in concentration gradient by subsequent leaching of contaminated soil with water. From an assessment of these laboratory procedures, based upon their practicalness and the results obtained, it was concluded that this range of tests could provide the necessary data to allow a rational appraisal of the potential of a wood preservative to contaminate soil. However, the experimental methodology needs to be examined further using a greater range of soil types, wood preservatives and water sources in order to establish the general acceptability of the approach and to allow standard procedures to be developed.

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