The natural leaching of vanadium(V) with CO2 from soil-water in the presence of ammonia, a known precursor to atmospheric aerosols, has been tested by bubbling carbon dioxide through soil suspension with varying amount of ammonia. It was found that the leaching of V(V) is enhanced in the presence of ammonia. From the results of the investigation, it could be concluded that atmospheric CO2 in the presence of ammonia (the only atmospheric gas that increases the pH of soil-water) could naturally leach V(V) from soil. Furthermore, it was also shown that the presence of (NH4)(2)CO3 in soil could enhance the leaching of toxic V(V) species thereby making it bioavailable for both plants and animals. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.