Year of publication
1997
Excerpt
The soil is an important component of terrestrial (agro-)ecosystems. Certain soils are capable of absorbing, retaining and re-cycling con¬taminants better than others. Potentially toxic and persistent chemicals thought to be held firmly in the soil can be re-mobilized if gradual changes in the capacity controlling factors occur; these changes can be induced by several trigger systems, including human-induced acidification, land use changes and climate change.
A framework for identification of soils most at risk from specified types of delayed-pollution, and delimitation of their geographical distribution using an Environmental Information System, is outlined for future refinement and application in a Central and Eastern Europe wide assessment of soil vulnerability to pollution (SOVEUR project).
A methodology, for application at a continental scale (1:2.5 million), is presented with special reference to pollution by diffusely distributed heavy metals. The overall approach, however, can be adapted to suit other pollutants as well depending on the availability and accessibility of necessary auxiliary data. The methodology will allow generation of maps, and tabular output, which can serve to increase general awareness of soil vulnerability to specific types of pollution. When these maps are combined with combined with auxiliary maps of pollutant loads in a GIS, problem areas can be identified for subsequent studies at regional and national levels.
A framework for identification of soils most at risk from specified types of delayed-pollution, and delimitation of their geographical distribution using an Environmental Information System, is outlined for future refinement and application in a Central and Eastern Europe wide assessment of soil vulnerability to pollution (SOVEUR project).
A methodology, for application at a continental scale (1:2.5 million), is presented with special reference to pollution by diffusely distributed heavy metals. The overall approach, however, can be adapted to suit other pollutants as well depending on the availability and accessibility of necessary auxiliary data. The methodology will allow generation of maps, and tabular output, which can serve to increase general awareness of soil vulnerability to specific types of pollution. When these maps are combined with combined with auxiliary maps of pollutant loads in a GIS, problem areas can be identified for subsequent studies at regional and national levels.