The acceleration of industrialization and urbanization has rendered water pollution one of the most pressing environmental issues worldwide

Understanding the influence of soil microstructure on light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) behavior is critical for predicting the formation of residual LNAPLs under spill condition. However, the roles of soil particle and pore on LNAPLs migration and residue remains unclear. Here, the experiment simulated an LNAPLs (diesel) spill that was performed in fourteen types of soils, and the key factors affecting diesel behavior are revealed. There were significant differences between fourteen types of soils, with regard to the soil particle, soil pore, and diesel migration and residue. After 72 h of leakage, the migration distance of diesel ranged from 3.42 cm to 8.82 cm in the soils. Except for sandy soil, diesel was mainly distributed in the 0–3 cm soil layer, and the residual amounts were 7.85–26.66 g/kg. It was further confirmed from microstructure that the consistency of soil particle and volume of soil macropores (0.05–7.5 μm) are important for diesel residue in the 0–1 cm soil layer and migration distance. The large soil particles corresponding to 90% of volume fraction and volume of soil mesopores (<0.05 μm) are key factors affecting diesel residue in the 1–3 cm soil layer. The result helps to further comprehend the formation mechanism of residual LNAPLs in the soil.