Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Integrated Soil and Water Protection - Risks from diffuse pollution (SOWA)

Abstract

Soil pollution and degradation is a result of population growth and technological development. A wide range of man-made chemicals designed for use in industry, agriculture, pest control, consumer goods, and emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels are the main sources for diffuse pollution. Within the water cycle, soils act as the key zone for storage, filtration and transport of water and associated pollutants. If the accumulation of pollutants exceeds the buffer capacity, then soils or sediments can become the source of diffuse pollution of adjacent compartments such as for groundwater and surface waters. The most relevant scientific questions for future research such as the physico-chemical multifunctionality of soils, long-term vs. short term issues and European/global scale opposed to local dimensions are discussed in these proceedings.