Since last two years, the publication of the FAO report "Soil pollution: a hidden reality” has triggered debate on contaminants reaching the human chain from the use of agrochemicals in agriculture, by-products of industrial activities, household, livestock and municipal waste (including wastewater) and petroleum products. At European level, special concerned has been recently given after the results by Silva et al. (2019) on pesticide residues found in soils. This is of special relevance due to the fact that humans may be exposed to soil contaminants in various ways like for example by ingesting or consuming plants or animals that have accumulated large amounts of these contaminants; through skin exposure when using drift contaminated spaces such as parks and gardens; or inhaling soil contaminants that have been vaporized. Humans can also be affected as a result of secondary contamination of water sources and deposition of contaminants. In some situations, the soil plays an important role as a source of contaminants in these two processes.
This session aims to attract results and opinions by scientists on soil science, chemistry, human and physical geography and hydrology, risk managers, consultants, officers and regulators on soil contamination due to agricultural practices. We welcome inter- and disciplinary studies on pesticide drift, soil contamination and food security and encourage those addressing social and community challenges.
Abstracts need to make clear in one sentence in which group of topics fall
- pesticide drift,
- soil contamination,
- food security
and to specify one or more of the following subgroups
- experimental assessment,
- data and modelling,
- mitigation and or management.
During the conference, it will be discussed the possibility of organizing a special issue under the Copernicus Editorial.