RAMET (2004-2006)
partners: ERSAF Lombardia and University of Pavia
supported by: Regione Lombardia and Italian Ministry of University (PRIN 2004)
The Plain of Lombardy is characterised both by intensive agriculture and by large industrial and urban settlements. The current project aims to quantify the contribution of agricultural practices to diffuse pollution in cultivated soils..
About 1000 existing soil profiles, each consisting in two samples (the first from the top layer A horizon, and the second from a depth of about 100 cm) were analysed for their heavy metal content (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn). In addition, the project collected dedicated soil profiles for three specific types of land use and agronomic practice, namely vine-, cereal- and rice-growing areas.
Baseline concentrations and distribution maps were produced. Results of the PCA analysis, coupled with the results of the dedicated soil profiles, enabled the identification of precise pollution sources and processes.
In cultivated soils, heavy metal contents prove to be generally well below the regulatory limits, with the exception of Cu in vineyard soils. South of Milan and in other urban areas, we attribute the top soil enrichment in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, to industrial activities and urban settlement. Ni sporadically exceeds regulatory standards, but its association with Mn and its depth distribution point to a natural origin.
The project demonstrates that although agriculture, especially in the form of vineyards and of intensive cultivation, certainly contribute to pollution, such contribution is exceeded by that deriving from industry and road traffic. The results of this study could serve as a basis for the long-term monitoring of cultivated soil quality.
Publications:
SACCHI E., BRENNA S., FORNELLI GENOT S., SALE V. M., AZZOLINA L., LEONI M. A. (2007) - Analisi del contenuto in rame ed altri metalli nei suoli agricoli lombardi. Quaderni della Ricerca n. 61, Regione Lombardia, 111. http://www.ersaf.lombardia.it/Upload/Pubblicazioni/Ramet.pdf
Sacchi E., Brenna S., Setti M., Leoni M., Garzetti F., Dallera D. (2007) - I metalli pesanti nei suoli agrari della Provincia di Pavia. Atti Ticinensi di Scienze della Terra, 45, 83-97.
Sacchi E., Brenna S., Fornelli Genot S., Setti M., Sale V.M., Azzolina L., Leoni M.A. (2008) - A regional survey on heavy metals content in cultivated soils from Lombardy (Italy): results from the RAMET project. Int. Symp. "Consoil 2008", Milan (Italy), 3-6 June 2008, C190-C197
supported by: Regione Lombardia and Italian Ministry of University (PRIN 2004)
The Plain of Lombardy is characterised both by intensive agriculture and by large industrial and urban settlements. The current project aims to quantify the contribution of agricultural practices to diffuse pollution in cultivated soils..
About 1000 existing soil profiles, each consisting in two samples (the first from the top layer A horizon, and the second from a depth of about 100 cm) were analysed for their heavy metal content (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn). In addition, the project collected dedicated soil profiles for three specific types of land use and agronomic practice, namely vine-, cereal- and rice-growing areas.
Baseline concentrations and distribution maps were produced. Results of the PCA analysis, coupled with the results of the dedicated soil profiles, enabled the identification of precise pollution sources and processes.
In cultivated soils, heavy metal contents prove to be generally well below the regulatory limits, with the exception of Cu in vineyard soils. South of Milan and in other urban areas, we attribute the top soil enrichment in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, to industrial activities and urban settlement. Ni sporadically exceeds regulatory standards, but its association with Mn and its depth distribution point to a natural origin.
The project demonstrates that although agriculture, especially in the form of vineyards and of intensive cultivation, certainly contribute to pollution, such contribution is exceeded by that deriving from industry and road traffic. The results of this study could serve as a basis for the long-term monitoring of cultivated soil quality.
Publications:
SACCHI E., BRENNA S., FORNELLI GENOT S., SALE V. M., AZZOLINA L., LEONI M. A. (2007) - Analisi del contenuto in rame ed altri metalli nei suoli agricoli lombardi. Quaderni della Ricerca n. 61, Regione Lombardia, 111. http://www.ersaf.lombardia.it/Upload/Pubblicazioni/Ramet.pdf
Sacchi E., Brenna S., Setti M., Leoni M., Garzetti F., Dallera D. (2007) - I metalli pesanti nei suoli agrari della Provincia di Pavia. Atti Ticinensi di Scienze della Terra, 45, 83-97.
Sacchi E., Brenna S., Fornelli Genot S., Setti M., Sale V.M., Azzolina L., Leoni M.A. (2008) - A regional survey on heavy metals content in cultivated soils from Lombardy (Italy): results from the RAMET project. Int. Symp. "Consoil 2008", Milan (Italy), 3-6 June 2008, C190-C197