The alundum tension lysimeter originally described was modified to allow installation in shallow soils and to facilitate collection of the leachate. The lysimeter plates were located at various depths in two contrasting soil types to study the ion content of the gravitational water. In addition, the influence of potassium (added as KCl) and nitrogen (added as (NH4)2SO4) on ion movement in the soil was studied.The ion content of the gravitational water changed markedly with soil type, depth, month of the year, and daily weather conditions. KCl and (NH4)2SO4 soil additions distinctly altered established soil dynamics, increasing movement of other soil elements including the radionuclide cesium137 from local fallout in 1954 on Rongelap Atoll soils.