ENSOr v5 – Challenges related to diffuse soil pollution with emerging contaminants

During the first day of this fifth edition of the ENSOr symposium, participants delved into the challenges of developing policy and setting priorities, of collecting nationwide data and setting reuse criteria for soil and sediments impacted with diffuse contamination and of the applicability of conservative toxicological thresholds. Insights in determining background levels, in mitigating regional natural occurrences to reduce the impact to meet food target levels and in monitoring the impact of a regional diffuse heavy metal contamination on surface- and groundwater were also provided.

Parallel workshops were held to discuss:
•    Diffuse contamination and the obstacles for reuse
•    Raising awareness and engaging stakeholders
•    Challenges for investigation and remediation of diffuse contamination
•    The use of spatial analysis to map diffuse contamination
•    Applying innovative measuring techniques and the impact of measurement uncertainty

Innovations in the field of soil and groundwater remediation and management of emerging contaminants were presented ranging from in-situ immobilization, stabilization and oxidation to bio-flushing and nature based solutions.

During the second day of the ENSOr symposium presentations on the impact of transformations products as emerging contaminants, policy challenges for the reuse of sediments with diffuse contaminants in the Netherlands and progress and challenges of dealing with PFAS in Germany provided plenty food for thought on how to address these issues in the near future. Pioneering research into microplastics in agricultural soils, profound research into environmental monitoring of endocrine disruptors and mapping groundwater vulnerability as a tool to assess the potential impact of pesticides were also presented broadening the need to tackle diffuse contamination in soil even further.

The first ENSOr symposium in 2018 raised awareness on diffuse soil contamination, highlighting the lack of data, little scientific understanding, and the need for policy frameworks. 
Since then, significant progress has been made, especially in addressing PFAS contamination. Efforts have included the developments of new guidelines, conducting numerous soil surveys, enhanced data collection, and studying background pollution levels. Awareness and understanding other emerging contaminants are also growing. However, the challenge of soil contaminantion with emerging contaminants persists, demanding continued collaboration and action, making the role of EmConSoil and the ENSOr symposium even more relevant. Therefore, we hope to welcome you on our next edition of the ENSOr symposium in autumn 2025 to help us grow and tackle the problems of dealing with emerging contaminants in soil.

For more details and outcomes of the fifth ENSOr symposium, check out the ENSOr website.