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PFAS are found in many products such as firefighting foams, paints, pesticides, coatings, and food packaging. Photo: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 DeedDefense Visual Information Distribution Service Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 Deed

Cleaning up Europe from PFAS would cost 2 trillion over 20 years

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The estimate is included in an investigation coordinated by the French newspaper Le Monde into the spread of PFAS in the Continent. Producers' lobby under attack
More than 60 actions have currently been completed for the European Union's Soil Strategy 2030. Twenty-four are still in progress. Photo: Karsten Würth CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedKarsten Würth CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

New tracker details how EU Soil Strategy is progressing

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A new tool from the European Soil Data Center provides a comprehensive overview of progress made since 2021 to date on actions shaping the EU Soil Strategy
Soil plays a central role in achieving many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. Photo: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Soil and the 2030 Agenda: a webinar in Verona (also in streaming) on Feb. 17

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The event will be broadcast live on Youtube. Theme of the meeting: the role of soil in the path toward the UN Goals
A corn field in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Extending and diversifying crop rotations may not promote carbon sequestration but still provide important soil benefits. Photo: P. L. Tandon Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedP. L. Tandon Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Crop diversification supports nitrogen sequestration (but not carbon)

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Diversifying rotations does not promote carbon storage but increases nitrogen availability with positive impact on soil and climate, a Iowa University study has found
Nitrogen management based on circular economy principles contributes to reducing emissions and maintaining food security. Photo: Sasin Tipchai CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedSasin Tipchai CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

Efficient use of nitrogen is needed to protect environment and health, says FAO

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Nitrogen, the UN agency remarks, is an essential element but also a contaminant. Its intake to the soil is likely to quadruple by the end of the 21st century
In tropical forests, says a study, the addition of nutrients would increase shoot biomass by 26% and growth rate by 14%. Photo: E.Morgan.Strong CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredE.Morgan.Strong CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Accumulation of nutrients threatens tropical forests

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According to a study, the inflow of nutrients would eventually provide a competitive advantage to some tree species resulting in a loss of biodiversity
In the agricultural region of the U.S. Corn Belt, rainfall plays a key role in production and irrigation. Photo: Don Graham Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedDon Graham Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

Agriculture and irrigation affect rainfall in the U.S. Midwest

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According to a study, the interaction between groundwater resources, crops and irrigation impacts the rate of rainfall recycling with a direct effect on agricultural management and water availability
Industrial plastic granules on a beach on the Aquitaine coast. In France, 76 percent of soils surveyed are contaminated with microplastics. Photo: Maldeseine Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedMaldeseine Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Three quarters of soils in France contaminated with microplastics

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A study by the Agency for Ecological Transition reveals that 76 percent of soils examined contain microplastics between 0.3 and 5 millimeters in size. Polyethylene is the most prevalent polymer
Rice quality in China and Japan is likely to decline further in the future due to climate change. Photo: Park Misoo CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedPark Misoo CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

Climate change reduces rice quality in China and Japan

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According to a Chinese study, the quality of rice has been deteriorating for decades, and the phenomenon is unlikely to slow down over this century
According to the study, freshwater wetlands boast the highest carbon sequestration potential. Photo: Doug Beckers Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedAccording to the study, freshwater wetlands boast the highest carbon sequestration potential. Photo: Doug Beckers Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

A Tea Bag Tells the Story of Carbon Sequestration in Wetlands

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An unusual experiment sheds light on the impact of climate change on carbon capture in the Earth’s wetlands. In freshwater areas and tidal marshes lies the greatest sequestration potential