ABSTRACT
Global distribution of salt-affected soils (SAS) has remained at about 1 billion hectares in the literature over the years despite changes in climate, sea levels, and land use patterns which influence the distribution. Lack of periodic update of input soil data, data gaps, and inconsistency are part of the reasons for constant SAS distribution in the literature. This paper proposes harmonization as a suitable alternative for managing inconsistent data and minimizing data gaps. It developed a new harmonization service for supporting country-driven global SAS information update. The service contains a global library of harmonization models for harmonizing inconsistent soil data. It also contains models for identifying gaps in SAS database and for showing global distribution where harmonization of available data is needed. The service can be used by countries to develop national SAS information and update global SAS distribution. Its data availability index is useful in identifying countries without SAS data in the global database, which is a convenient way to identify countries to mobilize when updating global SAS information. Its application in 27 countries showed that the countries have more SAS data than they currently share with the global databases and that most of their data require SAS harmonization.
ABSTRACT
The fate of highly hazardous or persistent pesticides in soils and their potential for environmental and health risks depends on the physical and chemical properties of the pesticide, soil properties including biological health and climatic conditions. Assessing the fate and impact of pesticides in soil is complicated in the Caribbean due to the high diversity of soils and duality of climate. The FAO supported national competent authorities from 11 countries in the Caribbean in the assessment of obsolete stocks and potentially contaminated soil. The Environmental Management Tool Kit (EMKT) prioritised Fond Cole and Camden Base as the only critical sites. Preliminary site investigations that utilised the rapid environmental assessment (REA) methodology identified that contamination was restricted to an impervious layer at the Camden site. Pesticide properties varied across groups, with the organochlorides exhibiting greater sorptive capacity and lower leaching potential relative to the organophosphates. All tested soils were non-saline with alkaline pH and notably sandy in texture with low adsorptive capacity. Analysis of pesticide levels revealed low to undetected quantities across contaminated sites. Traces of Endrin and Dieldrin were found in Marienburg, Suriname. Overall, assessment of soil contamination from stored obsolete pesticides revealed minimal contamination, however, detailed assessment considering contamination gradients should be performed where pesticides were identified.
