Environment

    Level of cadmium in the environment

    Environment

    Introduction

    Cadmium levels in the environment vary widely. Cadmium emissions to the environment are normally transported continually between the three main environmental compartments, air, water and soils, but a steady state flux is probably achieved and the general levels can reasonably well be established.

    Environment

    Cadmium is a natural element, that is present in the environment as a result of different sources: natural and anthropogenic

    Median ambient levels of cadmium in freshwater streams across Europe is 10 ng Cd/L

    Ref.: Foregs database  http://weppi.gtk.fi/publ/foregsatlas/ForegsData.php

    EU27 average cadmium content of top soil is 0.14 mg Cd/kg of soil

    Ref.: Foregs database http://weppi.gtk.fi/publ/foregsatlas/ForegsData.php

    Environment

    Sources of cadmium to soil and water in the EU

    Sources of cadmium to soil

    Sources of cadmium to river waters

    Environment

    Sources of antropogenic cadmium releases to air and water

    In 1990, annual cadmium releases in Europe were above 200 t/y.

    Over the past decade, Cd releases from industry to the environment dropped from 9,4 to 5,3 t/y and its share is now less than half of the emissions originating from natural sources (11,7 t).

    In 2024, the zinc and cadmium refining and downstream sector contributed only 2,5% to total industrial releases.

    Cadmium to air [kg/y]

    Industrial cadmium emission in the EU (E-PRTR)

    Ref.: E-PRTR database 2024

    Total EU Cd release to air: 5.288kg

    Contribution of industrial activities to cadmium releases in the EU.

    Ref.: E-PRTR database 2024

    Environment

    Example: Cadmium pollution in river Rhine has dropped to natural background levels

    Cadmium into river Rhine. (Ref.: E-PRTR 2014)

    DE: 0.32 t/y
    NL: 0.02 t/y

    Cadmium levels in river Rhine. (Ref.: E-PRTR 2010)

    total Cd: <0.1 µg/L
    diss. Cd: <0.05 µg/L