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Over the past 12,000 years, 2.7 billion tons of phosphorus have reportedly accumulated in lake sediments around the world. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPhoto: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

The phosphorus problem started thousands of years ago

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A Swiss study found that humans began altering the phosphorus cycle many millennia ago. Before industrialization and the spread of fertilizers accelerated the process
There are still nearly 377 million acres of intact grasslands in the Great Plains of North America. Photo: Ammchale CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalAmmchale CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Canada and U.S. have lost 130,000 km2 of grasslands in ten years

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According to WWF's latest study, in the past year, grasslands have ceded nearly 6,500 km2 of soil to conversion. With obvious consequences for carbon release
The development of nanomaterials for soil represents just one of the possible uses of nanotechnology. Photo: Kevin Tong/UC Davis College of Engineering Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Kevin Tong/UC Davis College of Engineering Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Nanotechnology and nanomaterials are useful allies in soil protection

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The technological use of nanomaterials in soil stabilization, writes   AZoNano journal, occurs with reduced environmental impact compared to the impact generated by the use of traditional techniques
When installing photovoltaic panels in the ground, leveling, excavation and burial operations can cause erosion. Photo: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Solar farms may encourage soil erosion in U.S.

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Virginia Tech researchers will analyze erosion risk in the state's solar installations. In the U.S., the problem is real. But several solutions are available
The expansion of large-scale agriculture is making the plains of South America more vulnerable to flooding. Photo: Andy Abir Alan Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Andy Abir Alan Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Extensive farming increases flooding in South America

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According to an Anglo-Argentine study, the spread of large-scale agriculture over the last four decades has favoured the rise of water tables in the plains of South America. Substitution of native vegetation has been crucial factor
The Avcılar neighborhood in Istanbul stands on land particularly prone to liquefaction, a widespread phenomenon in several urban areas of Turkey. Photo: Maderibeyza Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Maderibeyza Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Soil liquefaction is still a big issue in Turkey

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There is more than just the force of nature behind the widespread building collapses experienced during earthquakes in Turkey. Poor construction practices and bad choices in fact foster soil fragility
India is the world's sixth largest producer of bauxite. Photo: Yercaud-elango Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Yercaud-elango Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

From India to Australia: the bauxite paradox

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In India, the mining of bauxite, a rock needed for aluminum production, takes land away from agriculture, producing permanent soil damage. But this same resource, paradoxically, may carry with it a solution
Climate change causes soil to lose moisture faster on average. Photo: Suhayb the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Suhayb the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil moisture is a key factor in predicting droughts and floods

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According to a study from U.S., variation in soil moisture is the crucial factor in understanding extreme phenomena such as droughts and floods and Overcoming uncertainty related to climate change
Mosses cover 9.4 million km2 of land on the Planet, an area comparable to the territory of Canada or China. Photo: Krishna satya CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Krishna satya CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Mosses are an amazing ally for soil health

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The University of New South Wales study: mosses promote nutrient accumulation in the soil and carbon sequestration. In degraded areas, moreover, these plants accelerate the regeneration process
NRM analyzes of thousands of soil samples taken from UK farmland have shown deficiencies in magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. PHOTO: Steven Weeks on Unsplash

UK, two thirds of soils show nutrient deficit

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An analysis by the independent laboratory NRM: as a result of the degradation, wheat crops show 10% less nitrogen and 25% less phosphorus. Thousands of soil samples extracted from UK farmland

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