Soil Heavy Metal Concentration Dataset from Debrecen (2022) Based on Laboratory X-Ray Fluorescence Measurements

This dataset presents the results of a systematic survey of heavy metal concentrations in urban surface soils across Debrecen, Hungary, conducted in 2022. A total of 295 topsoil samples were collected during summer and autumn from various residential, industrial, and traffic-dense areas to capture the spatial variability of contamination. Laboratory analyses were performed using a Skyray Instrument Explorer 9000 X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, yielding concentrations for eight heavy metals: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). The dataset includes elemental concentrations, sample coordinates, and basic metadata. It provides a baseline reference for soil quality prior to anticipated industrial expansion in the region and supports environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and urban planning. Researchers in geochemistry, environmental engineering, urban ecology, and soil science may find this dataset valuable for comparative studies or modeling purposes.