Copper and Zinc deficiency risk in EU agricultural soils

This dataset includes readily available copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in EU agricultural soils using the electro-ultrafiltration (EUF) technique on LUCAS 2015 topsoil samples.
Resource Type: 
Datasets
Soil Threats Data
Registration is requested: 
Yes
Year: 
2026
Themes: 
Soil Contamination
Soil Contamination›Copper in topsoils
Soil Contamination›Zinc in topsoils
Keywords: 
Zn

Title: Copper and Zinc deficiency risk in EU agricultural soils.
Description: Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients, critical for both crop growth and human health, yet imbalances can result in deficiency or toxicity. This study addresses the existing gap in data and knowledge on readily available Cu and Zn in EU agricultural soils. Assessments based on total metal concentrations miss key insights into metal bioavailability and mobility. About 32% of soils were Cu-deficient (mainly Northern/Eastern Europe), while 14% showed Zn deficiency (notably Spain, Cyprus, Finland). Only 1.5% exceeded Cu toxicity thresholds. Mediterranean croplands, especially permanent crops like vineyards, showed elevated Cu levels from fungicide use. Belgium and Netherlands had highest Zn levels due to intensive livestock and manure application.

Spatial coverage: EU27+ UK
Pixel size: 1000mx1000m   - Unit:  mg per Kg
Temporal coverage:  2015
Projection: ETRS 1989 LAEA (EPSG: 3035).

Reference: Kiani, M., Van Eynde, E., Santner, J., Horn, D., Panagos, P., Hernandez-Mora, A., Duboc, O., Eigner, H., Heller, G., Geyer, S., Jones, A., Ylivainio, K. 2026. Copper and zinc thresholds in EU topsoils: Insights from LUCAS and literature datasets. Environment International, 208: 110133.

 

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  • The data provided has been prepared for use by internal research activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in collaboration with LUKE (Finland), BOKU (Austria) and University Giessen (Germany). 
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Reference of source (Citations) :

Kiani, M., Van Eynde, E., Santner, J., Horn, D., Panagos, P., Hernandez-Mora, A., Duboc, O., Eigner, H., Heller, G., Geyer, S., Jones, A., Ylivainio, K. 2026. Copper and zinc thresholds in EU topsoils: Insights from LUCAS and literature datasets. Environment International, 208: 110133.

When making reference to the ESDAC

  • Panagos, P., Van Liedekerke, M., Borrelli, P., Köninger, J., Ballabio, C., Orgiazzi, A., Lugato, E., Liakos, L., Hervas, J., Jones, A.  Montanarella, L. 2022. European Soil Data Centre 2.0: Soil data and knowledge in support of the EU policies. European Journal of Soil Science, 73(6), e13315. DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13315
  • Panagos P., Van Liedekerke M., Jones A., Montanarella L., “European Soil Data Centre: Response to European policy support and public data requirements”; (2012) Land Use Policy, 29 (2), pp. 329-338. doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.07.003
  • European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu, European Commission, Joint Research Centre