Sorption characteristics of bulk soil samples and discrete soil mineral constituents were studied by Cu, Zn and Pb batch sorption experiments and analytical electron microscopy analyses. Copper and zinc sorbed mostly on soil mineral constituents, while lead was associated mainly to soil organic matter. Additionally, the competitive situation resulted in increase of the role of iron oxides in Pb sorption. Close association of iron oxides and silicates resulted in significant change in their sorption capacities for all the studied metals. The alkaline conditions due to the calcite content in one of the studied soil samples resulted in both increased role of precipitation for Pb and Cu and elevated sorption capacity for Cu by discrete mineral particles. Using the analytical electron microscopy analyses the sorption characteristics of metals were supported by particular data. When the methods used in this study are combined, they become an extremely powerful means of getting a deeper insight into the soil-metal interaction. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.