The region of the Leipzig floodplain areas (Germany) is one of the most beautiful floodplain forests in Europe with partly degradated soils. The Weisse Elster and Pleisse rivers and their catchments are examples of very strong human impact on the wetland ecosystems in Germany. The open cast lignite coal mining in the south of Leipzig as well as the chemical industries were the source of millions of tons of toxic organic and inorganic contaminants of which some have been accumulated in the floodplains of the Weisse Elster and Pleisse rivers and their floodplains. In recent years, international investigation on the ecological problems of the region has been undertaken. This paper considers some examples of soil investigation carried out at the Geographical Department of the Leipzig University. First of all, questions related to soil matter flows (mobilization, complexing) of nutrients and harmful substances (e.g., heavy metals) will be discussed here.