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Macropore density is a key parameter to predict the leaching of contaminants from the root zone. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of intrinsic soil properties and earthworm characteristics on macropore density at different depths for five typical, Danish soil types under the same agricultural management (third year of pasture). Macropores were marked on a transparent sheet (0.7 × 1.0 m) placed horizontally for the three main horizons of each soil type in eight plots along the local gradients in soil texture. Macropores were then counted on each sheet by digital image analysis. Particle size distribution was determined for the same soil horizons for each plot. The earthworm population was characterised for each plot by hand-sorting soil samples (0.5 × 0.5 × 0.3 m). Results show that the macropore density: 1) was highest for the soil types developed on glacial deposits, which were the soils with the highest …