Accumulation of heavy metals in the soil in the Netherlands
Heavy metals are accumulated in the soil of nearly all agricultural areas because of supplies of animal manure and fertiliser.
| Cd | Pb | Cu | Zn | |
| g/ha/yr | ||||
| Extensive dairy holdings on sandy soil | 3 | 65 | 147 | 201 |
| Intensive dairy holdings on sandy soil | 2 | 67 | 189 | 258 |
| Intensive livestock holdings on sandy soil | 2 | 50 | 255 | 668 |
| Arable crops on sandy soil | 2 | 39 | 275 | 349 |
| Forest on sandy soil | -7 | 41 | -15 | -1 217 |
| Dairy holdings on peat | 3 | 30 | 112 | 320 |
| Arable holdings on marine clay | 2 | 55 | 199 | 378 |
| Dairy holdings on marine clay | 2 | 37 | 98 | 192 |
| Dairy holdings on fluvial clay | 3 | 64 | 341 | 700 |
| Vegetable culture | 2 | 52 | -57 | -484 |
| Flower bulb culture | 3 | 161 | 198 | 461 |
| Source: Groot et al. (1998). | RIVM/EDC/Oct02/0338 | |||
Developments
In virtually all agricultural areas in the Netherlands, there is currently an accumulation (inflow minus withdrawal) of heavy metals in the soil, primarily from the inflow of heavy metals through fertilisers and livestock manure. Levels of metals in some of the agricultural areas are expected to exceed critical values for crop quality in the next few decades.
In forests in the south of the Netherlands, a major consequence of acidification is the run-off of heavy metals to groundwater. Although this means that heavy metal levels (which historically have been growing) are decreasing in forest soil, they are exceeding desired quality standards and local intervention values in the groundwater.
The atmospheric deposition of heavy metals has declined in recent decades as a result of, among other things, the clean-up of the zinc industry in the south of the Netherlands and the introduction of unleaded petrol. Levels of heavy metals have also fallen in cattle feed and chemical fertiliser.
Policy
The policy objective for the long term is conformity with the desired quality standard for all substances.
Relevance
High levels of heavy metals in the soil of rural areas have a negative effect on soil ecosystems. High (and rising) levels in agricultural land may also constitute a threat to the quality of agricultural crops (De Vries et al., 2001).
Technical note
The figures come from the first series of measurements from the National Soil Quality Monitoring Network (1993-1997) and will be updated as soon as the second series of measurements has been completed (2004).
References
- Groot, M.S.M., J.J.B. Bronswijk, et al. (1998). Landelijk Meetnet Bodemkwaliteit; Resultaten 1995. RIVM (rapportnr. 714 801 024), Bilthoven.
- National Soil Quality Monitoring Network;
- Vries, W. de, P.F.A.M. Römkens, et al. (2001). Risico's van bodemverontreiniging in het landelijk gebied. Alterra report 244. Wageningen.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- Soil quality and soil pollution: policy
- Soil contamination and soil cleanup: terms and definitions
- Soil quality: the current picture and the threats
- Local soil pollution: the risks
- Heavy metals in agricultural land
- Emissions to soil in the Netherlands, 1990-2001
- Heavy metal load on agricultural land in the Netherlands, 1980-2001*
Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium
- More information about soil pollution can be found on the site of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment.
