News

The EDAPHOS project is dedicated to accelerating land rehabilitation and ecological restoration of contaminated soils through innovative nature-based solutions (NBS). As part of this ambitious initiative, a comprehensive soil sampling campaign has been launched across the various case study sites since April. This campaign is crucial for establishing the initial conditions of each site before implementing NBS, which will guide future remediation strategies and contribute to the broader goal of sustainable land management.

Objectives and Scope of this Campaign

The soil sampling campaign is meticulously organized to assess the baseline conditions of each case study site within the EDAPHOS project. The primary objectives are to collect soil samples for detailed physico-chemical and biological analyses. These analyses will leverage the advanced tools developed in Work Packages 1, 2, and 3 (WP1, WP2, WP3) of the project. By establishing a comprehensive understanding of the soil's current state, the project aims to develop effective remediation strategies tailored to each site's unique conditions.

Case Study Highlights Odiel Basin Area, Spain:

Located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, this site is home to one of the largest sulphide areas in the world. The ancient mining activities have left numerous abandoned mining sites, generating severe metal pollution due to acid mine drainage. Main contaminants include arsenic, lead, zinc, and cadmium, with significant amounts of copper, manganese, and mercury. The project focuses on phytoextraction of zinc and cadmium using poplars, with over twenty hectares dedicated to EDAPHOS project trials.

Vieux-Charmont, France:

Located in the Bourgogne Franche-Comté region, this site is highly contaminated with heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It is home to a living lab co-constructed by industrial partners, local inhabitants, and the administration, opened in 2023. There is a high potential for discovering plant and microbial species that play a role in soil depollution. Two hectares are dedicated to the project, serving as a front-runner site for future living labs in other EDAPHOS case studies.

Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland:

This site, located within the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, has been severely degraded by coal mining activities. The main contaminants include heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, zinc, and cadmium, with significant amounts of copper and manganese. Phytoremediation techniques targeting phytoextraction are employed to remove heavy metals from the soil. Between half a hectare to one hectare is dedicated to EDAPHOS project trials.

Lavrio, Greece:

Located in a dense agricultural area in southeast Greece, this site has been contaminated by ancient and recent mining and metallurgical activities. The lignin mining area has high lead and zinc concentrations. Building on the previous GOLD project, phytostabilisation crop trials established earlier are now transferred to EDAPHOS. This site shows high potential for discovering new plant and microbial species that play a role in soil depollution.

Methodology and Analysis

Samples are collected using standardized protocols, including the LUCAS protocol with adaptations specific to the EDAPHOS project's needs. Typically, soil corers or augers are employed to obtain representative samples across each site. Proper labeling and documentation ensure the integrity of the samples, which are prepared in composites—around 60 kg per composite from 30 to 60 sampling spots.

In Spain, the campaign included hyperspectral airborne acquisitions and biodiversity surveys. The team from ONERA conducted spectral measurements and soil sampling at the control site, Poderosa, with coordination and support from CSIC

The collected samples undergo rigorous analyses:
• Physico-chemical analyses: To determine the levels and types of contaminants present.
• Biological analyses: To assess ecotoxicity and ecological aspects of the soil, including soil function indicators.

These analyses support the project's ecosystem risk assessment (ERA) and implementation of the Triad approach, which integrates physico-chemical, ecotoxicological, and ecological data to provide a holistic understanding of soil health and contamination.

Conclusion

The soil sampling campaign is a cornerstone of the EDAPHOS project's efforts to restore contaminated soils using nature-based solutions. By meticulously analyzing soil conditions across diverse European regions, the project will develop tailored remediation strategies that contribute to the EU's "Soil Deal for Europe." This initiative not only addresses immediate soil contamination issues but also promotes long-term ecological sustainability and resilience. Through collaborative efforts, innovative methodologies, and community engagement, the EDAPHOS project exemplifies a comprehensive approach to tackling soil degradation and fostering a healthier environment.