Zinc concentrations in EU topsoils

Zinc (Zn) is essential to sustain crop production and human health, while it can be toxic when present in excess. The Zn concentration (mg kg-1) in European topsoils as predicted by the quantile regression forest using the 21,682 samples of LUCAS. The resolution of this map is 250 m by 250 m.
Resource Type: 
Datasets
Soil Threats Data
Registration is requested: 
Yes
Year: 
2023
Themes: 
Soil Contamination
Keywords: 
soil contamination

Title: Zinc concentrations in EU topsoils.
Description: Zinc (Zn) is essential to sustain crop production and human health, while it can be toxic when present in excess. In this manuscript, we applied a machine learning model on 21,682 soil samples from the Land Use and Coverage Area frame Survey (LUCAS) topsoil database of 2009/2012 to assess the spatial distribution in Europe of topsoil Zn concentrations measured by aqua regia extraction, and to identify the influence of natural drivers and anthropogenic sources on topsoil Zn concentrations. As a result, a map was produced showing topsoil Zn concentrations in Europe at a resolution of 250 m. The mean predicted Zn concentration in Europe was 41 mg kg−1, with a root mean squared error of around 40 mg kg−1 calculated for independent soil samples. We identified clay content as the most important factor explaining the overall distribution of soil Zn in Europe, with lower Zn concentrations in coarser soils. Next to texture, low Zn concentrations were found in soils with low pH (e.g. Podzols), as well as in soils with pH above 8 (i.e., Calcisols). The presence of deposits and mining activities mainly explained the occurrence of relatively high Zn concentrations above 167 mg kg−1 (the one percentile highest concentrations) within 10 km from these sites. In addition, the relatively higher Zn levels found in grasslands in regions with high livestock density may point to manure as a significant source of Zn in these soils. The map developed in this study can be used as a reference to assess the eco-toxicological risks associated with soil Zn concentrations in Europe and areas with Zn deficiency. In addition, it can provide a baseline for future policies in the context of pollution, soil health, human health, and crop nutrition.
Resolution: 250m
Time Reference:  2009
Format: GeoTIFF
Projection: ETRS89 Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area
Input data: 21,682 measured points of LUCAS survey and other auxiliary variables: Geology, Land use & vegetation, Climate, Topography, Soil Properties.
More Information: Zinc in topsoils
Release Date: 16/6/2023

Reference: Van Eynde, E., Fendrich, A. N., Ballabio, C., & Panagos, P. 2023. Spatial assessment of topsoil zinc concentrations in Europe. Science of The Total Environment, 892, 164512.

 

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  1. The data provided has been prepared for use by internal research activities in European Soil Data Centre (Sustainable Resources Directorate, JRC Ispra) in the context of developing the assessments of diffuse pollution and as a contribution to soil threats in Europe. In addition, the dataset contributes to the Soil Health assessments of the Soil Health Dashboard of the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO).
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Reference of source (Citations) :

Van Eynde, E., Fendrich, A. N., Ballabio, C., & Panagos, P. 2023. Spatial assessment of topsoil zinc concentrations in Europe. Science of The Total Environment, 892, 164512.

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