en.osm.town is one of the many independent Mastodon servers you can use to participate in the fediverse.
An independent, community of OpenStreetMap people on the Fediverse/Mastodon. Funding graciously provided by the OpenStreetMap Foundation.

Server stats:

268
active users

#soil

9 posts9 participants1 post today

"Microplastics are now a ubiquitous part of our daily physical reality. They suffuse our #air, our #soil, the #food we eat and the #water we drink. They’re being detected everywhere, from Antarctic sea ice to human brains. A new #study published reveals how #microplastics hinder #photosynthesis across a wide range of plant species—including crucial food #crops." scientificamerican.com/article

Oblique rows of young zucchini plants on black plastic on a farm with silos, trees and blue sky in the background
Scientific American · Microplastic Pollution Is Messing with Photosynthesis in PlantsBy Joanna Thompson

"The new study has shown that a large contrast in #soil moisture levels over a range of hundreds of kilometers results in atmospheric changes that increase rainfall area and amount in several megastorm hotspots globally. This increase ranges from 10% to 30% depending on the region and size of the storm."

phys.org/news/2025-04-soil-con
#ExtremeRain

Phys.org · Soil conditions significantly increase rainfall in world's megastorm hotspots, study showsBy UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

#USDA cuts could cause long-term damage, reverse hard-won progress
For decades, #farmer John Burk has been working to improve #soil on his #farm, taking a few extra steps to make it more resilient and productive. His efforts have paid off. An added bonus: He needs less fertilizer
Trump considers these Yield-increasing steps—which include limiting tillage, planting soil-enriching cover crops or installing water chutes to control erosion—“far left #climate” activities.
arstechnica.com/science/2025/0

A field with crops and windmills in the background
Ars Technica · USDA cuts could cause long-term damage, reverse hard-won progressBy Inside Climate News

Database of laboratory and near-infrared spectral data of soil samples from the Hungarian Soil Degradation Observation System (HSDOS) for sustainable soil management everywhere

nature.com/articles/s41597-025

NatureVis-NIR soil spectral library of the Hungarian Soil Degradation Observation System - Scientific DataSince soil spectroscopy is considered to be a fast, simple, accurate and non-destructive analytical method, its application can be integrated with wet analysis as an alternative. Therefore, development of national-level soil spectral libraries containing information about all soil types represented in a country is continuously increasing to serve as a basis for calibrated predictive models capable of assessing physical and chemical parameters of soils at multiple spatial scales. In this article, we present a database containing laboratory and visible-near infrared spectral data of legacy soil samples from the Hungarian Soil Degradation Observation System (HSDOS). The published data set includes the following parameters measured in 5,490 soil samples: pHKCl, soil organic matter (SOM), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), total salt content (TSC), total nitrogen (TN), soluble phosphorus (P2O5-AL), soluble potassium (K2O-AL), plasticity index according to Hungarian standard (PLI), soil profile depth and reflectance data between 350 and 2,500 nm wavelength. The presented database can be a complement for further soil related research on continental, national or regional scales to support sustainable soil management.

This is an interesting article, worth a full read, on an aspect of Climate not always talked about in much detail.

«… The drying out of soil “increases the severity and frequency” of major droughts …, explains Dr Benjamin Cook, an … Earth system scientist … “Droughts are one of the most impactful, expensive natural hazards out there, because they are typically persistent and long lasting. Everything needs water – ecosystems need water, agriculture needs water. People need water. If you don’t have enough water – you’re in trouble.” … The study points to two factors driving gradual depletion of soil moisture over the last quarter century: fluctuations to rainfall patterns and increasing “evaporative demand”. … the atmosphere’s “thirst” for water …»

When I read about these things, I think of the danger to the food system and human society. It saddens me beyond measure that we've got a society run by capitalists who, like locusts, just want to efficiently consume every last resource the planet has to offer with no apparent regard for the future.

The article also mentions it will be expensive, though. Does that matter to any of you capitalists? I know risk of societal collapse is not a worthy concern to you, just something to monetize. But it could affect prices along the way. Is THAT perhaps a concern, at least? Sigh.

carbonbrief.org/global-soil-mo

Carbon Brief · Global soil moisture in 'permanent' decline due to climate change - Carbon BriefA new study warns that global declines in soil moisture over the 21st century could mark a “permanent” shift in the world’s water cycle.

Garden tilled. The rotavator dug up a brick, a few more concrete chunks, some plastic, a pipe and a massive fucking steel beam. Luckily it seems I didn't break any of the tines. The guard door on the right was bent slightly, but it was easy to unbolt and bang straight again, didn't even chip the paint. Japanese steel won over Soviet steel 😁

Figured out what the feedback lever does, too!

Some tricky driving to get in the corners.

Short work day because morning shenanigans in town, but then I retrieved the rotavator from the tractor barn. Fixed a few small problems and greased all the things, as it was nicely painted but not a drop of grease anywhere.

Some studying of Japanese manuals (translated) and wrestling the thing on and off the 3PH twice and then... magic!

Turning the concrete field into fluffy garden soil. At sunset, sadly, so just a quick test run.

Tonnes of microplastics infiltrate Australia’s agricultural soils each year
How microplastics affects soil and food health

"We found every kilogram of compost contains between 1,500 and 16,000 microplastic particles. In weight, this equates to between 7 and 760 milligrams of microplastics per kilogram of compost. "

"In Australia, about 26% of compost produced at organic waste processing facilities is used in agriculture. So, we estimate that between 2.7 and 206 tonnes of microplastics is being transported to Australian agricultural land from compost each year."

"The absence of clear guidelines leaves composting facilities, waste processors, and end users vulnerable to unintended plastic pollution."
>>
theconversation.com/tonnes-of-
#plastic #pollution #microplastics #waste #agriculture #soil #food #compost #landfill #regulation