Soil sampling at agricultural sites Germany
In March 2021, a field monitoring was initiated by TUHH at the composting sites of agricultural farms Struck and Bernstorff. They are currently associated SOILCOM partners, and become full partners in case SOILCOM+ is accepted.
The aim of the monitoring is to analyse, in a first step, the leaching of nitrate from compost heaps into the soil in order to assess possible groundwater hazard. For this purpose, in a first approach, soil samples are taken from different depths. From the samples, soluble compounds are extracted and nitrate and ammonia is analysed in the extract by UV/Vis spectroscopy. A profile of the ion concentration down to a soil depth of 1.5 - 2.0 m will thus be obtained.
The monitoring is designed as a long-term experiment to investigate leaching over time and to assess influences of weather (rainwater infiltration) and also vegetation covering after clearing a compost heap. In addition to the analysis of soil extracts, direct groundwater monitoring through a well at one of the sites is started in May.
Agricultural composting tests: Soil sampling at the Struck (right) and the Bernstorff (left) sites.