Survey of Dublin Soils
Dublin SURGE Project - Soil Urban Geochemistry
The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) is carrying out a chemical survey of
topsoil around Dublin city and county. It involves taking samples of soil from
areas that are publicly accessible (e.g. public parks and school grounds).
The aim of the survey is to acquire important information about Dublin soils
that will help us to better assess and manage our urban environment. The
results of the survey will be publicly available towards the end of 2010.
When?
The sampling of soils took place in October
and November 2009. It was carried out by
teams of trained personnel from the
Geological Surveys of Ireland and Norway
(Norway has already carried out very
successful soil sampling surveys of its cities).
Survey teams collected over 1000 samples
across most of Dublin city and county (1-3
samples per square kilometre). All four local
authorities in Dublin are supporting the
project and provided access to public lands
for soil sampling.
Samples are currently being analysed in a
laboratory for organic chemicals and metals.
Why?
The soil geochemical data will help us to:
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Complete a baseline survey of soil chemistry in Dublin (this
has not been completed so far for any Irish city);
Assess the extent and nature of metals and organic chemicals
in Dublin soils;
Develop geochemical maps of Dublin soils that can be used
for land use and planning purposes, environmental
management and health risk assessment.
Survey of Dublin Soils
Dublin SURGE Project - Soil Urban Geochemistry
Background
Eighty per cent of the European population lives
in cites. Most cities have well-established
monitoring systems for air and water, while soils
have received comparatively little attention. As a
result of contamination in the urban environment,
concentrations of contaminants in urban soils
may be elevated above background levels. To
identify soil make-up, a consortium of European
Geological Surveys has initiated an Urban
Geochemistry Project. GSI has lobbied
successfully to have Dublin included in the first
phase of the project. This is a very significant
outcome for Ireland since no baseline
geochemical information of any significance
exists for Irish urban environments, whilst many
European cities have been developing such
databases in the past decade.
Benefits
We hope that the study will have benefits in the
following areas:
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Baselines for environmental monitoring;
Identification of city areas possibly in need of
remediation;
Assist authorities in setting soil environmental
standards for Irish cities;
Contribute to more informed urban planning for
both brownfield redevelopment of inner city
areas and suburban development.
Assist compliance with EU Directives (Soil and
Water) and legislation protecting groundwater,
soils, habitats etc.
If you have any questions about the project
please see our detailed web pages at
www.gsi.ie/surge or contact GSI’s Customer
Centre at 01 678 2868.