Geophysical and geochemical data integration for agricultural soil monitoring andprevention of the effects of salinity and soil organic matter in the Province of Ferrara (Northern Italy)

Agricultural soil monitoring is essential for fostering sustainable farming practices and safeguarding environmental health, particularly in productive regions like the Ferrara alluvial plain in the Po Valley. This area, renowned for its rich agricultural heritage, faces increasing vulnerabilities due to climate change and human activities. Challenges include frequent droughts, overexploitation of soils, and unsustainable farming practices, which lead to soil degradation, reduced crop yields, and elevated greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional soil monitoring methods often lack the spatial and temporal insights needed to address these issues effectively, limiting farmers’ ability to implement conservation strategies.

To address these challenges, there is growing emphasis on integrating geophysical methods with geochemical analyses to enhance soil characterization and monitoring at the field scale. Geophysical techniques such as Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Electromagnetic Induction (EMI), and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) provide non-invasive, in-situ assessments of soil properties, including moisture content, porosity, and soil structure. These methods efficiently characterize large agricultural areas, offering insights to depths of 150 cm at a relatively low cost.

Complementary geochemical analyses of soil samples from specific horizons (e.g., 0–50 cm, 50–100 cm) offer detailed data on soil salinity, organic matter content, and isotopic signatures. This information helps assess salinity impacts, trace organic matter depletion, and evaluate nutrient loss. However, geochemical sampling is limited by its localized scope and costs. In contrast, geophysical methods offer broader spatial coverage and high spatial resolution, enabling the creation of detailed 2D and 3D maps. Nonetheless, they are less precise in quantifying specific properties, highlighting the need for a combined approach that leverages both methodologies.

This integrated approach was applied to agricultural lands in Ferrara province, focusing on reclaimed lowlands near the Adriatic Sea with peaty soils particularly vulnerable to salinity. Geophysical analysis, conducted with an EM-400 Profiler, was paired with laboratory-based geochemical analyses (EA-IRMS and GroLine portable hydroponic probe) to gain a comprehensive understanding of soil conditions. The study correlated geophysical parameters, such as electrical conductivity, with geochemical results to depict spatial soil variations.

This methodology supports precision agriculture by optimizing irrigation schedules and fertilizer application based on spatially explicit electrical conductivity data. Such practices enhance resource use efficiency, reduce environmental degradation, and promote sustainable soil and water management. Moreover, the approach aids in designing remediation strategies for contaminated sites, improving soil quality and environmental health.

In the Ferrara plain and similar areas, this synergistic methodology equips stakeholders with tools to address interconnected challenges like climate change, salinization, organic matter degradation, and fertility decline. It provides essential insights for informed agricultural management, ensuring long-term sustainability in vulnerable landscapes.

This work is supported by the Emilia-Romagna Region fund “Territorio: transizione tecnologica, culturale, economica e sociale verso la sostenibilità pr fse+ 2021/2027 priorità 2.”