First field workshop of the AGREMSO3IL project stakeholder platform

The first Life+ AGREMSO3IL project prototype was unveiled to its stakeholders.

Pesticides in the soil are a highly significant environmental problem coupled with the increased use of harmful pesticides worldwide. There are no remediation technologies currently available to solve this increasing problem. The Life+ Agremso3il project is developing a technology that could eliminate the presence of harmful pesticides on farmlands. The initial result showed 63% of pesticide reduction in 1000 m2 of the greenhouse during the project’s prototype unveiling.

The pesticide residues in the soil are one of the primary concerns which require proper management. This system is an innovative solution to a worldwide problem. A more restrictive regulation in the future could derail the project’s success. Time is of the essence in managing pesticide residues.

This is how the system works and its basic technology. In order to implement this solution, the first step would be to clear the soil for cultivation. Once this action has been taken, the ozonisation and solarisation processes are carried out. The ozonation where it generates hydroxyl radicals using light radiation to attack and destroy any organic molecules to CO2, H2O, and mineral salts. Following this process, solarization takes the next step by placing transparent plastic on the floor bed during the summer months when temperature and light radiation are more intense. This system is a combination of solarization and ozonation techniques that remediate and disinfect farm soil. Several greenhouses were set up to allow for the solarization and ozonation treatment to be utilized. Since the ozone in water has a very short service life, which makes it difficult to manage, the project has since changed to gaseous ozone. The 1st field visit allowed the stakeholders to view the technology for themselves but they had some concerns as well; for example, the durability of the plastic used in the prototype. Is there a possibility that the plastic would leak? A trial on the experimental farm showed no leaks and even kept the ozone in close contact with the soil. No degradation of organic matter in the soil was also observed and soil quality did not suffer when the treatment was applied. Check out the recent scientific publication entitled “Combined Ozonation and Solarization for the Removal of Pesticides from Soil: Effects on Soil Microbial Communities” by Marta Díaz-López, Emilio Nicolás, Rubén López-Mondéjar, Lucas Galera, Isabel Garrido, José Fenoll, and Felipe Bastida: click here.

During the project’s prototype unveiling, the initial result showed 63% of pesticide reduction in 1000 m2 of the greenhouse.

Additionally, ozonation treatment was not carried out at night because the mechanism by which ozonation occurs is complex and affected by multiple factors: ozone attacks pesticides and soil organic matter. Thereby the organic matter retains the pesticides and as it degrades, organic matter releases pesticides which also increases soil temperature. Data analyses indicate that the increase in temperature is necessary and favors degradation.