Bio - Bio Project - European Soil Portal - Europa

was derived from a French approach developed by
INRA [2] . Every area was equally divided in 9 sub-units
having 6.6 m side. Litter, roots, stones and other coarse
material were removed before sampling. The different
horizons have been sampled and the 9 sub samples of
each horizon were mixed together in a homogeneous
mean sample. Moreover, three different depths were
sampled: 0-5 cm, 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm [3] .
Figure 4 - Sampling scheme
Soil samples collection has been performed
contemporarily with the AM-1 sampling campaign of
the Pavia Project, by specialized technicians of the Soil
& Waste Unit of JRC Ispra.
Figure 5 - delimitation and subdivision of the sampled area
Figure 6 and 7 - Sampling operations
EUR 22245 EN (2006) Bio-Bio Project
39
Each of the 9 soil samples (3 areas and 3 depths) was
homogenized and then divided in 4 sub-samples. First
aliquot was utilized for the determination of total
mercury content, total and organic carbon, pH
measurement and macro-elements determination. The
second has been delivered to the technicians of the
University Sacro Cuore in Piacenza for the heavy
metals determination.
Another part, after air drying, was delivered to the
Experimental Institute of Plants Nutrition in Rome for
microbiological analysis and evaluation of PCBs
concentration (analysis performed by the Health
Superior Institute in Rome). The fourth fraction of soil,
frozen and preserved in dark glass bottles, was used for
the determination of dioxins’ concentration.
3.2 Sampling
Based on the aforementioned profile information, the
disturbed soil samples were obtained manually using
an Auger device; an example can be seen in Figures 8
and 9.
Figure 8and 9 - Examples of an Auger sampling device
4. Analysis and results
4.1 Used methods
When possible, ISO procedures were applied to the
samples for the requested analysis. In case no ISO
procedures were available, internal methods of analysis
were followed. These internal methods have been
developed for similar sample types by our laboratories,
both tested and proofed with Reference Materials.
Quality Control was ensured by the parallel analysis of
several replicates of appropriate matrices-matching
Certificate Reference Materials. The mercury
analytical method was recently benchmarked on
International scale [4] and proofed to be fully under
control and traceable to the SI (IRMM 2003). For
every single analysis the ISO procedure is hereby
indicated, as well as a short resume of the procedure
itself.
4.2 Sample pre treatment and preparation
According with ISO 11464 Procedure [5] , after storage
at 4°C and prior to analysis, samples were dried in