A lysimeter is a device used to collect and measure soil water (or soil solution) to study the movement of water and dissolved substances through soil (Goss & Ehlers, 2009).

The primary challenge in using lysimeters for sampling soil solutions for trace elements (TE) is the adsorption and release of TEs by lysimeter materials, which could underestimate or overestimate the actual concentration, respectively (Fernando et al., 2023).

Materials for a lysimeter must be: (1) chemically inert, (2) able to withstand the environmental conditions, including variations in temperature, moisture, and pressure without degradation, and (3) maintain its structural integrity over the desired study period (Creasey et al., 1988).

Traditional materials such as stainless steel, ceramic, and Teflon are not ideal as they show significant adsorption of TEs such as Fe, Cd, Co, Mn, Ni, and Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, and As from solutions (Wenzel et al., 1997; Andersen et al., 2002; Du et al., 2022).

A metal-free lysimeter was constructed using entirely of polyethylene (PE) plastics (Fig. 1), which is inert, and exhibits excellent durability and resistance to abrasion, impact, and environmental factors (Hong et al., 2023), ensuring the long-term stability and structural integrity of the lysimeter.

There is limited understanding of the distribution patterns of TEs in soils. Using metal-free lysimeters to study trace elements is crucial for collecting reliable data to improve soil and water management practices.