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The goal of affirmative action programs is to establish equal opportunities for women and men. Past research has focused on one type of affirmative action, namely quotas, and found that the implementation of quotas is often met by a backlash from employees. The current study adds to the literature by investigating fairness and importance perceptions of career development programs offered only to women at Austrian universities or the Austrian Science Fund. Using the model of attitudes toward affirmative action programs the current experimental study tested whether providing participants with information about the benefits (gain-message condition) or costs (loss-message condition) of the implementation of affirmative action programs influenced participants' perceptions of affirmative action programs. In the current online study, the 510 participants (52.5% cisgender women and 47.5% cisgender men; Mage = 29.5, SD = 9.5) from German-speaking countries in Europe gave on average higher fairness and importance ratings to career development programs offered to all employees than to such programs offered specifically to women. Men in the gain-message condition and loss-message condition gave higher fairness ratings to affirmative action programs than did men in the control condition (i.e., men who read a text that gave no justification for the implementation of affirmative action programs). Men in the gain-message condition also gave higher importance ratings to affirmative action programs than did men in the control condition. Women were not influenced in their ratings by the justification of the implementation of affirmative action programs. Nevertheless, women's perceptions of affirmative action programs were more favorable than men's. When implementing affirmative action programs in organizations, providing information that explains why affirmative action is needed and how all employees benefit therefrom can increase support from men who, as seen from past research, are known to be most opposed to affirmative action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonate rocks are very soluble and export elements in dissolved form, and precipitation of secondary phases can occur on a large scale. They leave a strong chemical signature in soil that can be quantified and classified by geochemical indices, and which is useful for evaluating chemical weathering trends (e.g. the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) or the Mafic Index of Alteration (MIA)). Due to contrasting chemical compositions and high Ca content, a special adaptation of classical weathering indices is necessary to interpret weathering trends in carbonate-derived soil. In fact, this adaptation seems to be a good tool for distinguishing weathering grades of source-rock types at the continental scale, and allows a more robust interpretation of soil parent-material weathering grade and its impact on the current chemical composition of soil. An increasing degree of weathering results in Al enrichment and Mg loss in addition to Fe loss and Si enrichment, leaching of mobile cations such as Ca and Na, and precipitation of Fe-oxides and hydroxides. The relation between soil weathering status and its spatial distribution in Europe provides important information about the role played by climate and terrain. The geographical distribution of soil chemistry contributes to a better understanding of soil nutritional status, element enrichment, degradation mechanisms, desertification, soil erosion and contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The modified Dunn procedure facilitates femoral capital realignment for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) through a surgical hip dislocation approach. Iatrogenic postoperative hip instability after this procedure has not been studied previously; however, we were concerned when we observed several instances of this serious complication, and we wished to study it further.Questions/purposes: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency, timing, and clinical presentation (including complications) associated with iatrogenic instability after the modified Dunn procedure for SCFE.Methods: Between 2007 and 2014, eight international institutions performed the modified Dunn procedure through a surgical dislocation approach in 406 patients. During the period in question, indications varied at those sites, but the procedure was used only in a minority of their patients treated surgically for SCFE (31% [406 of 1331]) with the majority treated with in situ fixation. It generally was performed for patients with severe deformity with a slip angle greater than 40°. Institutional databases were searched for all patients with SCFE who developed postoperative hip instability defined as hip subluxation or dislocation of the involved hip during the postoperative period. We reviewed in detail the clinical notes and operative records of those who presented with instability. We obtained demographic information, time from slip to surgery, type of fixation, operative details, and clinical course including the incidence of complications. Followup on those patients with instability was at a mean of 2 years (range, 1-5 years) after the index procedure. Complications were graded according to the modified Dindo-Clavien classification. Radiographic images were reviewed to measure the preoperative slip angle and the presence of osteonecrosis.Results: A total of 4% of patients treated with the modified Dunn procedure developed postoperative hip instability (17 of 406). Mean age of the patients was 13 years (range, 9-16 years). Instability presented as persistent hip pain in the postoperative period or was incidentally identified radiographically during the postoperative visit and occurred at a median of 3 weeks (range, 1 day to 2 months) after the modified Dunn procedure. Eight patients underwent revision surgery to address the postoperative instability. Fourteen of 17 patients developed femoral head avascular necrosis and three of 17 patients underwent THA during this short-term followup.Conclusions: Anterolateral hip instability after the modified Dunn procedure for severe, chronic SCFE is an uncommon yet potentially devastating complication. Future studies might evaluate the effectiveness of maintaining anterior hip precautions for several weeks postoperatively in an abduction brace or broomstick cast to prevent this complication.Level Of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 4000 agricultural and grazing land soil samples were collected for the “Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural and Grazing Land Soil of Europe” (GEMAS) project carried out by the EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group. The samples were collected in 33 European countries, covering 5.6 million km 2 at a density of 1 sample site per 2500 km 2 . All samples were analysed by ICP-MS following an aqua regia extraction. The European median Cd concentration is 0.182 mg/kg in agricultural soil and 0.197 mg/kg in grazing land soil (including eastern Ukraine). The Cd map demonstrates the existence of two different geochemical background regimes in northern and southern Europe, separated by the southern limit of the Quaternary glaciation. Cadmium shows two times higher background concentrations in the older and more weathered southern European soil than in northern European soil. The spatial distribution patterns of Cd in the collected soil samples are mainly governed by geology (parent material and mineralisation), as well as weathering, soil formation and climate since the last glaciation period. Locally, in several areas, the natural anomaly pattern is overprinted by anthropogenic emissions from former mining, ore processing and related metal industries. Some Cd anomalies can be attributed to urbanisation and the use of fertilisers. A comparison of the raw data Cd concentration map with its clr-transformed counterpart and selected single element ratio maps demonstrates that substantial additional information about sources and processes governing the distribution of Cd in agricultural soil at the European scale can be obtained. Results of a PCA, carried out following the classical approach (standardised) versus a PCA based on the statistically acceptable approach, using clr-transformed data, are quite comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Takotsubo syndrome is an acute reversible heart failure syndrome that is increasingly recognized in modern cardiology practice. This Position Statement from the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association provides a comprehensive review of the various clinical and pathophysiological facets of Takotsubo syndrome, including nomenclature, definition, and diagnosis, primary and secondary clinical subtypes, anatomical variants, triggers, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, complications, prognosis, clinical investigations, and treatment approaches. Novel structured approaches to diagnosis, risk stratification, and management are presented, with new algorithms to aid decision-making by practising clinicians. These also cover more complex areas (e.g. uncertain diagnosis and delayed presentation) and the management of complex cases with ongoing symptoms after recovery, recurrent episodes, or spontaneous presentation. The unmet needs and future directions for research in this syndrome are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineral exploration industry is used to very high sample densities (100s to 1000s of samples/km2) for geochemical exploration in order to define drill targets. Lately, geoscience organizations in many countries have been geochemically mapping increasingly larger areas at progressively lower sampling densities (1 site/100 to 1 site/18 000 km2). A single ore body is too small a target and cannot be expected to be discovered at such low sample densities; indeed numerous deposits could be hidden within a 100 × 100 km grid cell. However, mineral systems, which include all geological ingredients and processes necessary for the generation of mineral deposits, form much larger targets that could be identified even at such low sampling densities. Examples from some European low density geochemical surveys where patterns emerged that may have implications for mineral exploration are shown and discussed. It is concluded that low density geochemical mapping holds great promise in the early stages of mineral exploration programmes in guiding subsequent effort into the more fertile regions. Interpretation of these maps, however, may need a different approach than that used in classical, high density mapping exercises, where only 'high values' of certain metals are the traditional target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Concern about the environmental impact of agriculture caused by intensification is growing as large amounts of nutrients and contaminants are introduced into the environment. The aim of this paper is to identify the geogenic and agricultural controls on the elemental composition of European, grazing and agricultural soils. Materials and methods: Robust factor analysis was applied to data series for Al, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S, Se, Sr, U, Zn (ICP-MS) and SiO2, K2O, Na2O, Fe2O3, Al2O3 (XRF) based on the European GEMAS dataset. In addition, the following general soil properties were included: clay content, pH, chemical index of alteration (CIA), loss on ignition (LOI), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total organic carbon (TOC) and total carbon and total sulfur. Furthermore, this dataset was coupled to a dataset containing information of historic PO fertilization across Europe. Also, a mass balance was carried out for Cd, Cu and Zn to determine if concentrations of these elements found in the soils have their origin in historic PO fertilization. Results and discussion: Seven geogenic factors and one agricultural factor were found of which four prominent ones (all geogenic): chemical weathering, reactive iron-aluminum oxide minerals, clay minerals and carbonate minerals. Results for grazing and agricultural soils were near identical, which further proofs the prominence of geogenic controls on the elemental composition. When the cumulative amount of PO fertilization was considered, no extra agriculture-related factors became visible. The mass balance confirms these observations. Conclusions: Overall, the geological controls are more important for the soil chemistry in agricultural and grazing land soils than the anthropogenic controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Agricultural (Ap, Ap-horizon, 0–20cm) and grazing land soil samples (Gr, 0–10cm) were collected from a large part of Europe (33 countries, 5.6million km2) at an average density of 1sample site/2500km2. The resulting more than 2×2000 soil samples were air dried, sieved to <2mm and analysed for their Hg concentrations following an aqua regia extraction. Median concentrations for Hg are 0.030mg/kg (range: <0.003–1.56mg/kg) for the Ap samples and 0.035mg/kg (range: <0.003–3.12mg/kg) for the Gr samples. Only 5 Ap and 10 Gr samples returned Hg concentrations above 1mg/kg. In the geochemical maps the continental-scale distribution of the element is clearly dominated by geology. Climate exerts an important influence. Mercury accumulates in those areas of northern Europe where a wet and cold climate favours the build-up of soil organic material. Typical anthropogenic sources like coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, chlor-alkali plants, metal smelters and urban agglomerations are hardly visible at continental scales but can have a major impact at the local-scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural and Grazing Land Soil (GEMAS) project provides soil geochemical data for over 50 elements at a density of 1 sample per 2500 km2across the European continent. Median baseline total concentrations of niobium (Nb) determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the <2 mm fraction of 2108 ploughed agricultural soil (0–20 cm) and 2024 grazing land (0–10 cm) samples are 13 and 12 mg/kg, respectively. These concentration levels are more than 23 times higher than the median extractable concentration of Nb obtained by aqua regia digestion. Thus >95% of Nb in soils can be considered ‘immobile’.All anomalous soil concentrations can be related to geogenic processes. Many of the elevated Nb concentrations are underlain by Hercynian granitic intrusions and alkaline volcanic rocks. High Nb levels also correspond to the occurrence of residual soils over karst areas of southeast Europe and, to some extent, loess deposits of central and Eastern Europe. Lowest Nb concentrations are found in soils developed on most recent glacial sediments of northern Europe.Comparison of the aqua regia extractable concentrations of Nb in both sample types collected within <450 m of each other show that concentrations are on average 0.12 mg/kg (15.4%) higher in grazing land soils, suggesting an influence of different land-use practises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper estimates the importance of (tariff-mediated) network effects and the impact of a consumer''s social network on her choice of mobile phone provider. The study uses network data obtained from surveys of students in several European and Asian countries. We use the Quadratic Assignment Procedure, a non-parametric permutation test, to adjust for the particular error structure of network data. We find that respondents strongly coordinate their choice of mobile phone providers, but only if their provider induces network effects. This suggests that this coordination depends on network effects rather than on information contagion or pressure to conform to the social environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne agent that has also been isolated from several tick species. Vector competence of Ixodes ricinus, one of the most common tick species in Europe, has been poorly investigated for WNV to date. As such, to evaluate the vector competence, laboratory reared Ixodes ricinus nymphs were in vitro fed with WNV lineage 1 infectious blood, allowed to molt, and the resulting females artificially fed to study the virus transmission. Furthermore, we studied the kinetics of WNV replication in ticks after infecting nymphs using an automatic injector. Active replication of WNV was detected in injected nymphs from day 7 post-infection until 28 dpi. In the nymphs infected by artificial feeding, the transstadial transmission of WNV was confirmed molecularly in 46.7% of males, while virus transmission during in vitro feeding of I. ricinus females originating from infected nymphs was not registered. The long persistence of WNV in I. ricinus ticks did not correlate with the transmission of the virus and it is unlikely that I. ricinus represents a competent vector. However, there is a potential reservoir role that this tick species can play, with hosts potentially acquiring the viral agent after ingesting the infected ticks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Arsenic concentrations are reported for the <2mm fraction of ca. 2200 soil samples each from agricultural (Ap horizon, 0–20cm) and grazing land (Gr, 0–10cm), covering western Europe at a sample density of 1site/2500km2. Median As concentrations in an aqua regia extraction determined by inductively coupled plasma emission mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) were 5.7mg/kg for the Ap samples and 5.8mg/kg for the Gr samples. The median for the total As concentration as determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) was 7mg/kg in both soil materials. Maps of the As distribution for both land-use types (Ap and Gr) show a very similar geographical distribution. The dominant feature in both maps is the southern margin of the former glacial cover seen in the form of a sharp boundary between northern and southern European As concentrations. In fact, the median As concentration in the agricultural soils of southern Europe was found to be more than 3-fold higher than in those of northern Europe (Ap: aqua regia: 2.5 vs. 8.0mg/kg; total: 3 vs. 10mg/kg). Most of the As anomalies on the maps can be directly linked to geology (ore occurrences, As-rich rock types). However, some features have an anthropogenic origin. The new data define the geochemical background of As in agricultural soils at the European scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of composite samples to reduce the time and cost of chemical analysis is discussed. It is shown when composite samples can be used without affecting predefined project objectives. Furthermore, it is also demonstrated when they should not be used, and also how much information is lost due to their use. The study presents a comparison of data concentrations of some major (Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, P2O5, TiO2) and trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, La, Rb, Sr, Th, Tl, U, Zn) in European topsoil and subsoil produced by FOREGS (Forum of European Geological Surveys) and two other data sets derived by compositing the five individual samples in each 160×160km cell of the Global Terrestrial Network (GTN); the first by physically compositing the samples, and analysing the composites, and the second by artificially compositing the samples in each GTN cell. The three soil databases were compared statistically and spatially to quantify the significance of the differences. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that composite samples can be used effectively to show broad continental-scale element distribution patterns; their use may not be effective if the goal is to highlight local geochemical anomalies. It is concluded that compositing samples for continental-scale surveys is a time- and cost-effective procedure, especially for reducing the costs for chemical analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Indium is a very rare element, which is usually not reported in geochemical data sets. It is classified as a critical metal, with important applications in the electronics industry, especially in the production of solar panels and liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). Over 4000 samples of agricultural and grazing land soil have been collected for the “Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural and Grazing Land Soil of Europe” (GEMAS) project, carried out by the EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group. Indium concentrations in soil have been analysed using aqua regia extraction followed by ICP-MS. Median values of In for both land use types are nearly identical, 0.0176 mg/kg for agricultural soil and 0.0177 mg/kg for grazing land soil. The spatial distribution patterns of In in European soil are mainly controlled by geology and the presence of Zn and Sn mineralisation. The preference of In to accumulate in the fine-grained fraction of soil with high clay content dominates the major anomaly patterns on the geochemical maps. In the Mediterranean region, secondary In enrichment is visible in karst areas. A notable feature of the In spatial distribution is the large difference between northern and southern Europe, with median values of 0.012 and 0.021 mg In/kg, respectively, suggesting that, in addition to lithology, weathering and climate are important factors influencing In soil enrichment over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2108 agricultural soil samples (Ap-horizon, 0–20 cm) were collected in Europe (33 countries, area 5.6 million km 2 ) as part of the recently completed GEMAS ( GE ochemical M apping of A gricultural and grazing land S oil) soil mapping project. GEMAS soil data have been used to provide a general view of element origin and mobility with a main focus on source parent material (and source rocks) at the continental scale, either by reference to average crustal abundances or to normalized patterns of element mobility during weathering processes. The survey area covers a large territory with diverse types of soil parent materials, with distinct geological history and a wide range of climate zones, and landscapes. To normalize the chemical composition of European agricultural soil, mean values and standard deviation of the selected elements have been compared to model compositions of the upper continental crust (UCC) and mean European river suspended sediment. Some elements are enriched relative to the UCC (Al, P, Pb, Zr,) whereas others, such as Mg, Na and Sr are depleted. The concept of the UCC extended normalization pattern has been applied to selected elements. The mean values of Rb, K, Y, Ti, Al, Si, Zr, Ce and Fe are very similar to the values from the UCC model, even when standard deviations indicate slight enrichment or depletion. Zirconium has the best fit to the UCC model using both mean value and standard deviation. Lead and Cr are enriched in European soil when compared to the UCC model, but their standard deviation values span a large, particularly towards very low values, which can be interpreted as a lithological effect. GEMAS soil data have been normalized to Al and Na, taking into account the main lithologies of the UCC, in order to discriminate provenance sources. Additionally, sodium normalization highlights variations related to the soluble and insoluble behavior of some elements (e.g., K, Rb versus Ti, Al, Si, V, Y, Zr, Ba, and La, respectively), their reactivity (e.g, Fe, Mn, Zn) and association with carbonates (e.g., Ca and Sr). Maps of Europe showing the spatial distribution of normalized compositions and element ratios reveal difficulties with the use of classical element ratios because of the large lithological differences in compositions of soil parent material. The ratio maps and color composite images extracted from the GEMAS data can help to discriminate the main lithologies in Europe at the regional scale but need to be used with caution due to the complexity of superimposed processes responsible for the soil chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Applied geochemistry and environmental sciences invariably deal with compositional data. Classically, the original or log-transformed absolute element concentrations are studied. However, compositional data do not vary independently, and a concentration based approach to data analysis can lead to faulty conclusions. For this reason a better statistical approach was introduced in the 1980s, exclusively based on relative information. Because the difference between the two methods should be most pronounced in large-scale, and therefore highly variable, datasets, here a new dataset of agricultural soils, covering all of Europe (5.6millionkm2) at an average sampling density of 1site/2500km2, is used to demonstrate and compare both approaches. Absolute element concentrations are certainly of interest in a variety of applications and can be provided in tabulations or concentration maps. Maps for the opened data (ratios to other elements) provide more specific additional information. For compositional data XY plots for raw or log-transformed data should only be used with care in an exploratory data analysis (EDA) sense, to detect unusual data behaviour, candidate subgroups of samples, or to compare pre-defined groups of samples. Correlation analysis and the Euclidean distance are not mathematically meaningful concepts for this data type. Element relationships have to be investigated via a stability measure of the (log-)ratios of elements. Logratios are also the key ingredient for an appropriate multivariate analysis of compositional data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lead isotopes are widely used for age dating, for tracking sources of melts, sediments, Pb products, food and animals and for studying atmospheric Pb contamination. For the first time, a map of a Pb isotope landscape at the continental-scale is presented. Agricultural soil samples (Ap-horizon, 0–20cm) collected at an average density of 1 site/2500km2 were analysed for Pb concentration and Pb isotopes (206Pb, 207Pb, 208Pb). Lead concentrations vary from 1.6 to 1309mg/kg, with a median of 16mg/kg. Isotopic ratios of 206Pb/207Pb range from 1.116 to 1.727 with a median of 1.202. The new data define the soil geochemical Pb background for European agricultural soil, providing crucial information for geological, environmental and forensic sciences, public health, environmental policy and mineral exploration. The European continental-scale patterns of Pb concentrations and Pb isotopes show a high variability dominated by geology and influenced by climate. Lead concentration anomalies mark most of the known mineralised areas throughout Europe. Some local Pb anomalies have a distinct anthropogenic origin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Agricultural soil (Ap-horizon, 0–20 cm) samples were collected from 33 European countries as part of the GEMAS (GEochemical Mapping of Agricultural and grazing land Soil) soil-mapping project. The Mg data derived from total concentrations (XRF) and two acid digestion methods, aqua regia (AR) and Mobile Metal Ion (MMI®), were used to provide an overview of its spatial distribution in soil at the continental-scale. Magnesium is one of the most abundant elements in the Earth's crust and essential nutrient for plants and animals and its presence in soil is, therefore, important for soil quality evaluation. In this study, the geochemical behaviour of Mg in European agricultural soil was investigated in relation to a variety of soil parent materials, climatic zones, and landscapes. The chemical composition of soil reflects mostly the primary mineralogy of the source bedrock, and the superimposed effects of pre- and post-depositional chemical weathering, controlled by element mobility and formation of secondary phases such as clays. Low Mg concentrations in agricultural soil occur in regions with quartz-rich glacial sediments (Poland, Baltic States, N. Germany), and in soil developed on quartz-rich sandstone parent materials (e.g., central Sweden). High Mg concentrations occur in soil developed over mafic lithologies such as ophiolite belts and in carbonate-rich regions, including karst areas. The maximum extent of the last glaciation is well defined by a Mg concentration break, which is marked by low Mg concentrations in Fennoscandia and north-central Europe, and high Mg concentrations in Mediterranean region. Lithology of parent materials seems to play a key role in the Mg nutritional status of agricultural soil at the European scale. Influence from agricultural practice and use of fertilisers appears to be subordinate. Comparison of the continental-scale spatial distribution of Mg in agricultural soil by using the results from three analytical methods (XRF, AR and MMI®) provides complementary information about Mg mobility and its residence time in soil. Thus, allowing evaluation of soil weathering grade and impact of land use exploitation. • Mg determined by total analysis, strong acid extraction and weak extraction. • Agricultural soil dataset of Europe allows studying the large scale variations. • Distribution of Mg in European soils is related to bedrock geology and weathering. • Mg spatial distribution is similar for XRF and aqua regia and different for MMI®. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for 'high-tech' element resources (e.g., rare earth elements, lithium, platinum group elements) has increased with their continued consumption in developed countries and the emergence of developing economies. To provide a sound knowledge base for future generations, it is necessary to identify the spatial distribution of critical elements at a broad-scale, and to delineate areas for follow-up surveys. Subsequently, this knowledge can be used to study possible environmental consequences of the increased use of these resources. In this paper, three critical industrial elements (Sb, W, Li) from low-sampling density geochemical mapping at the continental-scale are presented. The geochemical distribution and spatial patterns have been obtained from agricultural soil samples (Ap-horizon, 0–20 cm; N = 2108 samples) collected at a density of 1 site per 2500 km2 and analysed by ICP-MS after a hot aqua regia digestion as part of the GEMAS (GEochemical Mapping of Agricultural and grazing land Soil) soil-mapping project in 33 European countries. Most of the geochemical maps show exclusively natural background element concentrations with minor, or without, anthropogenic influence. The maximum extent of the last glaciation is marked as a discrete element concentration break, and a distinct difference occurs in element concentration levels between the soil of northern and southern Europe, most likely an effect of soil genesis, age and weathering. The Sb, W and Li concentrations in soil provide a general overview of element spatial distribution in relation to complexity of the underlying bedrock and element mobility in the surface environment at the continental-scale. The chemical composition of agricultural soil represents largely the primary mineralogy of the source bedrock, the effects of pre- and post-depositional chemical weathering, formation of secondary products, such as clays, and element mobility, either by leaching or mineral sorting. Observed geochemical patterns of Li, W and Sb can be often linked with known mineralisation as recorded in the ProMine Mineral Database, where elements in question occur either as main or secondary resources. Anthropogenic impact has only been identified locally, predominantly in the vicinity of large urban agglomerations. Unexplained high element concentrations may potentially indicate new sources for high-tech elements and should be investigated at a more detailed scale. • Sb, W, Li concentration of European soils in aqua regia extraction. • Agricultural soil dataset of Europe (GEMAS) allows studying the large scale variations. • Distribution of Sb, W, Li in European soils is clearly dominated by geology and mineralisation. • Data shed light on the new mineral resources, not detected actually by traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]