WORKING GROUP 1: ASSESSMENT

Focused on the harmonization of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and reference values for soil contaminants, in close cooperation with the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN).

SCOPE

The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 1: Assessment' is to perform a global assessment of the status of soil pollution in combination with a review of the state-of-the-art scientific information. Read more

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1 - GLOSOLAN collaboration

INSOP is working closely with the GLOSOLAN in the following tasks: 

• Guidelines development on laboratory soil samples/reagents waste disposal;
• Capacity building for soil laboratory on the determination of soil pollutants;
• Identification and prioritisation of soil pollutants for which SOP to be developed;
• Harmonization and review of SOPs for soil pollutants.

Together with GLOSOLAN, INSOP will held a working session on 22-24 November 2022 where both networks will discuss and agree on the working plan for the tasks mentioned above. If you have not registered to be part of the joined group, you can do so by filling out the SURVEY. Your registration will help us to stay in touch with you and send the invitation for November meeting.

ACTIVITY 2 - Technical guidelines on soil pollution

INSOP coordinators together with the lead and co-authors have resumed the development of the Technical Guidelines on soil pollution initially started in 2019. Once the guidelines are developed (tentative: December 2022), we would invite you to be part of the review panel of experts for the following chapters:

1. Defining soil pollution and conceptual model;
2. Sampling strategy and soil analysis
3. Soil pollution risk assessment
4. Mapping soil pollution;
5. Recommendation for sites with mixed pollution;
6. Monitoring soil pollution;
7. Reporting soil pollution and communicating risks.

If you are interested to be on the review panel for one of the following chapters, please fill out the SURVEY. Once all the guidelines are complete, we will invite you to review the chapter of interest.

SUMMARY REPORT

Access here the Report of the first meeting of the Assessment Working Group

8th of November 2022

Online meeting

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WORKING GROUP 2: MAPPING

The generation of a spatial datasets on the distribution of polluted soils and potential sources of pollution is of utmost importance in informed decision making. This area of work is carried out in close consultation with the International Network of Soil Information Institution (INSII).

SCOPE

The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 2: Mapping' is the identification of potential sources of pollution. This is of utmost importance in informed decision-making, so that pollution "hot spots" or areas of special concern due to the risk to human health and the environment can be easily identified. The overall goal is the generation of a spatial datasets on the distribution of polluted soils and potential sources of pollution. Collaboration with the INSII and its members will focus on a better understanding of the coexistence of contaminants and facilitate the management of sites with mixed contamination. Read more

DATE OF THE MEETING

to be confirmed 

ACTIVITIES

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WORKING GROUP 3: MONITORING AND REGULATORY

This area of work helps countries to develop and strengthen inventory and monitoring of point-source and to diffuse soil pollution at national, regional, and global levels.

SCOPE

The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 3: Monitoring and regulatory' is the monitoring of polluted soils. This requires the establishment of regulatory frameworks that support the regular collection of information and the comparison of data to define trends. These regulatory frameworks should also include soil health indicators to assess the state of soils. INSOP will advocate for the creation and strengthening of global, regional, and national commitments to prevent, halt and remediate soil pollution. Read more

DATE OF THE MEETING

to be confirmed 

ACTIVITIES

Content available soon

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WORKING GROUP 4: SUSTAINABILITY AND REMEDIATION

In this area of work, INSOP focuses on transferring technologies and cross-capacity building on sustainable management and remediation practices and technologies for polluted soils, with special emphasis on nature-based solutions. For the latter, INSOP will work closely with the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) to ensure the sustainable use and management of soil biodiversity.

SCOPE

The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 4: Sustainability and remediation' is to work on the collection and dissemination of sustainable management and remediation practices and technologies for polluted soils, with special emphasis on nature-based solutions. Read more

DATE OF THE MEETING

to be confirmed 

ACTIVITIES

Content available soon

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WORKING GROUP 5: AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE AND FOOD QUALITY

Under this area of work, INSOP will work on knowledge dissemination of how different sources of pollution negatively effect on food quality and the environmental and human health impacts associated with food contamination coming from the soil. INSOP will work closely with the Global Soil Doctors Programme as well as with the International Network on Fertilizer Analysis (INFA) to raise awareness and train farmers on soil pollution.

SCOPE

The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 5: Agricultural practice and food quality' is is the dissemination of knowledge of how different sources of pollution negatively effect on food quality and the environmental and human health impacts associated with food contamination coming from the soil. Read more

DATE OF THE MEETING

to be confirmed

ACTIVITIES

Content available soon

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WORKING GROUP 6: SOIL AND WATER 

Most contaminants in aquatic ecosystems come from anthropogenic land-based sources. Therefore, soil management can have an enormous impact on water quality, including pollution. Contaminants of concern such as plastic pollution of which 80% entering the ocean has a land origin, eutrophication and other land-based contaminants reaching the fresh and marine environments will be discussed and knowledge gaps addressed.

SCOPE

The overall objective of the 'Working Group (WG) 6: Soil and water' is to raise awareness on the effects different contaminants of terrestrial origin could have on marine and aquatic ecosystems. In collaboration with the assessment WG, the WG will create a knowledge exchange platform on the environmental and associated ecotoxicological risks on soil and water pollution. Read more

DATE OF THE MEETING

to be confirmed

ACTIVITIES

Content available soon

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