National Soil Database and Archive Established

A national baseline database of soil geochemistry has been established in Ireland for the first time. The project, conducted by Teagasc Johnstown Castle in association with NUI Galway and Sligo IT, and part-funded by the EPA, has combined to develop a national baseline database for soils geochemistry in Ireland. It includes maps of well-known elements like potassium, phosphorous and magnesium, as well as less- known elements like gallium, tungsten and vanadium.

This study also looked at the microbial populations of soils and could be used as a database on which future studies on the effects of issues such as global warming can be measured. In addition, this study has developed a National Soil Archive, comprising both soil samples and a nucleic acids archive, each of which represent a valuable resource for future soils research in Ireland.

Dr Deirdre Fay of Teagasc Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre, who led the team which carried out this work, says that 1,310 soil samples were collected nationally and subjected to chemical and microbiological analyses. "We have generated a national baseline database of soil geochemistry, as well as a nucleic acids archive. The data were subjected to statistical analysis and national geochemical maps were produced using the latest computer mapping technology. The data were evaluated and interpreted with respect to geology, glacial history and soil types of Ireland."

"This database will be very beneficial to the EU Sewage Sludge Directive for soils. In the case of mercury, copper, zinc and lead, elevated levels were attributed to a varying combination of natural and anthropogenic effects including mining, industrial, land use and urban effects, while elevated levels of nickel and cadmium were predominantly related to underlying soil parent material."

"The National Soil Database will provide a starting point of reference in underpinning Ireland's response to European Directives. While the implementation of agricultural and environmental legislation is critical in achieving the sustainable management of soil, the benefits of disseminating the findings to a wide audience, and of generally raising awareness among stakeholders, such as land users, cannot be over emphasised," she adds.

With renewed interest in the area of soils both nationally and internationally the study is timely. The advent of EU legislations requires the establishment and maintenance of a more comprehensive knowledge of soils. This study goes a long way to meeting this requirement.

Dr. Noel Culleton, Head of Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre said: " This was a seminal report and the results and archives created will be of significant benefit to scientists for generations to come."

The research was co-funded by Teagasc and the Environmental Protection Agency. Other members of the team were Dr Dave McGrath, formerly of Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Dr Chaosheng Zhang, Ms Cora Corrigg and Dr Vincent O'Flaherty of NUI, Galway; Dr Owen T. Carton of Teagasc Johnstown Castle, and Mr Eamonn Grennan of Sligo IT.