The dataset collates the relative concentration of nearly 300 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and potentially toxic elements (PTE; e.g., “metals”) found in soils across northeastern England during a sampling expedition in June 2016 by researchers at Newcastle University. Top soils (15cm depths; “A” horizon) were obtained from 24 rural and urban locations around Newcastle upon Tyne, representing a spectrum of landscape conditions relative to anticipated PTE contamination. There are three files related to different types of data collected: antimicrobial resistance genes, metal concentrations and PAH concentrations. The high-throughput analysis of nearly 300 AMR genes include many resistance traits representing major antibiotic classes: aminoglycosides, beta lactams, FCA (fluoroquinolone, quinolone, chloramphenicol, florfenicol and amphenicol resistance genes), MLSB (macrolide, lincosamide, streptogramin B), tetracycline, vancomycin, sulphonamide, and efflux pumps. PAH data represent the US Environmental Protection Agency priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as one of the measures of pollution impact. The other measure of impact is based on levels of twelve PTE represented by “total” and “two bio-available” concentrations, based on three extraction methods. Elements included aluminium, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, phosphorus, and zinc. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/35b49db6-8522-4c6b-a779-820268292603

Data on concentrations of dissolved PAHs and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in 20 water samples collected from the River Wyre at five sites between Marshaw Wyre, one of the two headwaters of the River Wyre, and Garstang from August 2010 to June 2011. As typical for this region, the upland reaches of this river drain peatland areas, resulting in a relatively high dissolved organic carbon content. PAHs were measured as freely dissolved PAHs (i.e. freely dissolved in the water phase) and total dissolved PAHs (the sum of freely dissolved and those associated with DOC) and the fractions associated with DOC have been estimated from these two. Where possible, the DOC-water partition coefficient of the PAHs, calculated from the concentrations determined, is given as well. The data is presented as one table and two supporting files containing metadata. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/24200DBA-D0F4-4BE4-AE6F-2C6EC1147FA4