The content of phosphorus, aluminium, and iron compounds soluble in an HCl solution and in ammonium oxalate varies widely in different horizons of the investigated gley-podzol soils. Phosphorus compounds accumulate in the surface organic and humus horizons, but they are also found in large quantities in the alluvial and gley horizons. The content of phosphorus compounds soluble in an HCl extract and in ammonium oxalate is related to the content of pedogenic aluminium and iron oxides. The phosphate retention varies significantly in soils studied and is determined by the content of amorphous aluminium and iron oxides. Peat and alluvial horizons have the highes tphosphate retention capacity among investigated soil formations.