There is a strong need for an integrated understanding of contaminant transformations, modelling, and multivariate data analysis. All critical parameters for realistic, effective integration of variability and scale issues are related to the soil heterogeneity. In this study a multivariate approach was used to obtain an improved design of field and laboratory experiments at all stages from the field sampling pattern design down to final analytical sample preparation. The effect of soil heterogeneity at different scales is discussed to show how this affects the sampling/monitoring procedure in environmental pollutant studies. Soil samples were collected from the topsoil (A-horizon) (0-25 cm) of a typical sandy soil. A 100 m long sampled transect was oriented parallel to the plough lines. Each sample includes 20-30 grams of moist soil. At the center of this transect a set of short range replication samples were collected. Large suite of 38 inorganic elements in addition to moisture, loss on ignition and bacteria counts (CFU) were analyzed. In addition carbon-14 measurement of MCPA sorption and mineralization and glucose respiration were carried out as MCPA has been used regularly for many years. The results show a higher correlation of the samples for minerogenic elements than for MCPA sorption and mineralization. The largest variability is found for the CFU. Variographic analysis results explain that it is essential to use sampling locations of less than 15 meter distance for organic compounds and less than 5 meter for inorganic compounds to consider the autocorrelation between the samples. This project focuses on development of a heterogeneity characterization methodology for 'next generation' sampling/monitoring and multivariate experimental and modelling practices allowing implementation of realistic pesticide variability in environmental contaminant assessment studies. This methodology also has a potential to be used for related research areas e.g. soil science in general, contamination studies, and environmental monitoring.

Improved experimental design for field soil studies

248th National Meeting (2014)

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