Present in several products, including fire extinguisher foam, fluoride-based pollutants, so-called PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are extremely difficult to dispose of. Photo: Brett Clashman, U.S. Air Force Public domainPhoto: Brett Clashman, U.S. Air Force Public domain

Ball milling cleans soil of persistent fluoride

,
Researchers in New Zealand are testing a solution against fluoride pollution. The technique has made it possible to degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the molecular level with 99.9 percent efficacy
L’abbandono delle aree interne e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee, e, con esse, gli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente. FOTO: Karsten Winegeart su Unsplash

Depopulation is changing the fire map of Europe

,
L’abbandono delle aree rurali e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee. Con esse cambia la fotografia degli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente
Due to their high carbon sequestration capacity, mangroves are estimated to be able to prevent total emissions of more than 21 billion tons of CO2 worldwide. Photo: Sigit Deni Sasmito/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Sigit Deni Sasmito/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Saudi Arabia also bets on mangroves

,
The Kingdom plans to plant 50 to 100 million mangrove trees "in the coming years." An initiative to protect biodiversity that once again highlights the key role of this plant species in mitigating climate and contributing to soil protection
With this latest initiative, the UN aims to bring out good practices for tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. Photo: Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

UN is looking for its young Land Heroes

,
There is time until Oct. 15 to apply for UNCCD Land Heroes, the UN campaign that aims to bring out success stories in combating drought, desertification and land degradation
Aberdare forest in Kenya. 67% of heterotrophic respiration of microbes is located in tropical soils. Photo: Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil microbes will release 40 percent more CO2 by 2100

,
Climate change is increasing the respiration of soil microbes and related CO2 emissions. A phenomenon, says a Swiss study, set to accelerate between now and the end of the century
The Tibetan Plateau represents the largest area of Alpine permafrost and a large store of organic carbon. Photo: Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

In Tibetan permafrost 54% of the carbon comes from microbes

,
A Chinese study quantifies for the first time the weight of major soil organic carbon components released due to rising temperatures
The Amazon region of Bolivia is home to more than 1.2 million inhabitants, many of them belonging to 29 different indigenous peoples. Photo: Dirk Embert / WWF Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE)Dirk Embert / WWF Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE)

Amazonia, rights, deforestation: “Bolivia has not kept its promises”

,
Since 2009, the Constitution of Bolivia has promoted the protection of the rights of native peoples and the environment. But the exploitation of natural resources, The Conversation accuses, continues and deforestation is increasing
By 2022, forest destruction in Ghana increased by 71%, the highest figure on the planet. Photo: Maite Knorr-Evans, World Resources Institute Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Maite Knorr-Evans, World Resources Institute Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Destruction of tropical forests increased by 10% in 2022

,
Despite formal commitments made in Glasgow in 2021, the loss of primary rainforests in the tropics is increasing, says Global Forest Watch. Brazil tops the list. The cases of Congo R.D., Ghana and Bolivia are also worrying
The 34 per cent decrease recorded between January and June this year in the Amazon comes after a 54 per cent increase from August to December 2022 under the previous government. Photo: Lubasi Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Photo: Lubasi Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

It’s the Lula effect? Amazon deforestation falls by 34% in six months

,
The numbers, which have not been verified by an independent authority, would mark a turnaround for the Amazon after a particularly bad 2022. Fines and bans are increasing. But fires are also on the rise, having never been so extensive since 2007
Biocrusts can regulate both the physical and biological environment of ecosystems. Photo: DainisGeo Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)DainisGeo Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Chinese study unravels the mysteries of biocrusts

,
Researchers have shown how surface biocrusts protect subsoil microorganisms by increasing their diversity and stability which benefit the soil

RECEIVE
OUR NEWSLETTER

It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.

To receive updates about Re Soil Foundation activities, sign up to our newsletter.


    • Coldiretti
    • Novamont
    • Politecnico di Torino