Anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals to agricultural ecosystems have been substantially increased in modern time due to use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides (particularly those metal enriched fungicides), manures, biosolids, and waste waters (for irrigation). Accumulation of heavy metals (including metalloids such as arsenic) in soils has been accelerated with the development of industry, agriculture, and urbanization. As a consequence, the area of soils contaminated by heavy metals is enlarged, and the incidence and severity of metal toxicity to crop plants, animals, and human beings are on the rise. The concentrations of heavy metals in surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and estuaries have been reported to increase and high concentrations of heavy metals such as copper, mercury, and arsenic were detected in sediments. In most cases, these metals were transported from the land through soil erosion, surface runoff, and leaching. The proposed session is designed to cover the following research findings that add new understanding to this topic: 1) the mechanisms of metal release at the soil-water interface; 2) chemical processes such as desorption, dissolution, chelation, and mineralization involved in the transport of metals through surface runoff and leaching; 3) how chemical speciation of metals in soil and water affect their release and transport; 4) how metal release and transport are influenced by soil properties, metal status, and hydrological conditions; and 5) adequate soil tests and models for predicting the transport of heavy metals from land to waters.