Managing urban soil quality
URBSOIL, Urban soils as a source and sink for pollution, addressed the need for a common approach or methodology for the study and classification of urban soils. The lack of such approach hinders the comparative assessment of soil qualities and their relationship to other environmental or health properties. The identification and documentation of soil quality parameters, acting as quality indicators, and the development and use of both analytical and easy-to-handle test for their measurement was the immediate objective. The collected data would comprise the input parameter to a Decision Support System for the better planning and sustainable management of the soil resource in the cities and towns of Europe. In the context of URBSOIL, a user-oriented standardised report on urban soil status has been developed, containing comprehensive and accurate information on the investigation of soils. Information includes soil analytical data and its interpretation from non-expert end users. This interpretation is assisted by information on sampling location, land-use, possible sources of pollution and the relevant legislation. Comments and suggestions on possible remediation measures are also provided. Soil quality affects the urban ecosystem both directly and indirectly. National and European authorities are benefited by the knowledge and tools produced in their effort to monitor the changes of soil quality and the resulting decision-making.
