AROMIS: Assessment and reduction of heavy metal input into agro-ecosystems

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0637

Key words (English)

Agriculture; Economic Aspects; Environmental Protection; Life Sciences; Resources of the Sea; Fisheries; Heavy metals; agriculture; soil pollution; research network

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK5-CT-2000-00670

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.5 Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Schweiz. Hochschule für Landwirtschaft Zollikofen

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Kuratorium für Technik und Bauw./Landw. KTBL (D)

Abstract (English)

Heavy metal inputs into ecosystems can lead to accumulation and thus endanger soil fertility or lead to health hazards. Agriculture contributes considerably to the total heavy metal load, especially for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), which are used as feed additives in livestock production. Furthermore heavy metal inputs result from mineral fertilisers (especially phosphorous) contaminated with cadmium and zinc and from pesticides (Cu, Zn). Quantitative studies on heavy metal fluxes in relation to agriculture are rare. This is especially due to the lack of reliable data on actual heavy metal inputs as well as heavy metal output paths (plant uptake, erosion, leaching). The concerted action AROMIS aims at closing this gap by establishing a European network of specialists dealing with heavy metal fluxes and thus pool existing knowledge and enhance the efficiency of the research activities. More specific, the objectives are:
· to collect results of research projects dealing with heavy metals in agriculture and thus be able to evaluate the extent of the problem in the different countries and the European Community;
· to identify the contribution of agriculture, to the pollution of the soils with heavy metals by collecting and reviewing data of research projects on inputs, outputs and internal flows of metals;
· to coordinate current activities to achieve a maximum efficiency in research;
· to exchange experience on ecological, economic, technical, and legal aspects of the topic;
· to develop strategies for the reduction of the heavy metal inputs and assess their consequences;
· to identify the need for further research and to help initialising research projects;
· to identify the need for regulations and to work out recommendations for legislative initiatives.

AROMIS will provide a basis for well coordinated and efficient research and thus help to:
· increase in the awareness of the problem (enhance discussion on the use of heavy metals in animal feed, mineral fertilizers and pesticides);
· protect natural resources (less mineral fertiliser use thanks to better recycling of manure)
· reduce the risk of soil and water pollution;
· increase food safety (heavy metal reduction strategies reduce the risk of polluting crop products);
· avoid economic damage due to a reduction of food quality and loss of soil fertility;
· provide facts for decisions concerning legal regulations;
· increase the sustainability of agriculture.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0637