New soil quality test created

A new test to monitor the impact of gas drilling work on soil quality has been described by the academic who developed the technique.

Speaking to PhysOrg, Robert Schindelbeck explained how the Cornell Soil Health Test has been created to help understand the soil response when heavy construction work takes place nearby.

The scientist, a member of of the Cornell Soil Health Team and extension associate at the institution, noted that there is no standardised way of testing soil quality in such situations, despite there being a variety of standards and practices followed by contruction companies.

He claimed that firms will need to respond to this new environmental analysis by documenting how they will ensure that they will not damage the soil in sensitive areas.

My News recently reported Dr Mae-Wan Ho from the Institute of Science in Society as saying that soil quality in China has been damaged by overuse of chemical fertilisers.

Posted by Lauren Steadman