An intermediate complexity dynamic model for predicting accumulation of atmospherically-deposited metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in catchment soils: 1400 to present

The Intermediate Dynamic Model for Metals (IDMM) is a model for prediction of the pools of metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in topsoils of catchments resulting from deposition of metals from the atmosphere. We used the model to simulate soil metal pools from 1400 onwards in ten UK catchments comprising semi-natural habitats, and compared the results with present day observations of soil metal pools. Generally the model performed well in simulating present day pools, and further improvements were made to simulations of Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd by adjusting the strength of metal adsorption to the soils. Some discrepancies between observation and prediction for Pb appeared to be due either to underestimation of cumulative deposition, or to overestimation of the metal pool under 'pristine', pre-industrial conditions. The IDMM provides a potential basis for large scale assessment of metal dynamics in topsoils. -- Highlights: •The Intermediate Dynamic Model for Metals (IDMM) is a new model for long term metal dynamics in semi-natural catchments. •The model describes well current day metal pools in ten semi-natural catchments of the UK. •The IDMM has clear potential for large scale simulation of metal dynamics in soils. -- The Intermediate Dynamic Model for Metals predicts the present day pools of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in semi-natural catchment soils of the UK