Cadmium in topsoils of the European Union

Cadmium content (mg kg-1) in the European Union topsoils applying an ensemble of machine learning models. The map of Cd distribution at a resolution of 100 m.
Resource Type: 
Datasets
Soil Threats Data
Registration is requested: 
Yes
Year: 
2023
Themes: 
Soil Contamination
Soil Contamination›Cadmium in topsoils
Keywords: 
cadmium

Title: Cadmium distribution in EU topsoils

Description: Cadmiun (Cd) is a naturally occurring element that can accumulate in the soil through the application of fertilisers containing cadmium and as a waste of industrial processes. Cadmium inputs in the soil have increased significantly (+50 %) during the 20th century as a result of the application of fertilisers and sewage sludge, and also due to local contamination (e.g. waste dumping, mining) and industrial emissions (e.g. zinc smelters). Using the 21,682 soil samples from the LUCAS soil survey, we aim to estimate the spatial distribution of the concentration of Cd in the European Union (EU) and UK topsoil. Applying an ensemble of machine learning models supported by a variety of environmental descriptors, we created maps of Cd distribution at a resolution of 100 m. The ensemble approach included five models and increased the prediction accuracy to R2 of 0.45 (an increase of 0.1 compared to best single model performance). The approach used resulted in a high predictive power for the general Cd distribution, while also identifying hotspots of Cd contamination. Natural factors influencing Cd levels include soil properties (pH, clay), topography, soil erosion, and leaching. As anthropogenic factors, we identified phosphorus inputs to agricultural lands as the most important for Cd levels. The application of the EU Fertiliser Directive should further limit Cd inputs and potentially the Cd content in soils.
Spatial coverage: EU+ UK
Pixel size: 100m
Measurement Unit: mg kg-1
Projection: ETRS89
Temporal coverage:  2009 (as LUCAS Samples are dates in 2009)

Type of Dataset: GeoTiff

More information about Cadmium in topsoils
 

Reference: Ballabio, C., Jones, A. and Panagos, P., 2024. Cadmium in topsoils of the European Union–An analysis based on LUCAS topsoil database. Science of The Total Environment, 912: 168710.

 

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Reference of source (Citations) :

Ballabio, C., Jones, A. and Panagos, P., 2024. Cadmium in topsoils of the European Union–An analysis based on LUCAS topsoil database. Science of The Total Environment, 912: 168710.

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