Tamarguillo Park 🇪🇸

Contract type

Payment per ES

Description

Urban soils are under constant pressure from a variety of sources, including demographic and construction pressures caused by migration from rural areas. This leads to intensification of housing and the need for many facilities, services and traffic and transport planning. Green urban areas are under pressure from all these factors and, if not properly managed, can suffer from soil degradation in terms of loss of soil biodiversity, SOM, soil structure, soil contamination and soil sealing. In Tamarguillo Park, the main soil health problems are soil contamination and pressures from housing, transport and urban planning.

Preliminary results

Within the framework of an exhaustive study carried out in the Tamarguillo Park in Seville, extensive data collection has been carried out on the physical, chemical, biological and contaminant properties of the soil. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the health of the soil, understand its capacity to sustain local vegetation and develop sustainable management strategies.

Objectives

• To determine the capacity of the soil to support local vegetation and biodiversity, thereby optimising resource use and improving park maintenance.
• To identify and manage potential phytosanitary and environmental risks associated with pathogenic nematodes and soil contaminants.
• To assess the environmental impact of park maintenance practices on soil composition in order to promote techniques that maintain or improve soil quality.

Physical variables studied

• Soil Texture : Granulometric analysis to classify the soil type according to the USDA classification.
• Soil Density and Porosity : Measurement of apparent density and calculation of porosity.

Chemical variables studied

• pH and Electrical Conductivity : Determination of pH in water and electrical conductivity.
• Nutrient and Heavy Metal Content : Macronutrients : Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Sulfur (S).
• Micronutrients : Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Boron (B).
• Heavy Metals : Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Aluminum (Al).
• Other Elements : Sodium ( Na ).
• Organic Matter and Organic Carbon : Calcination technique to quantify organic matter and organic carbon.
• Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) : Estimation of the soil’s capacity to retain essential cations for plant growth.

Biological variables (Soil Nematodes) studied

• Nematode Diversity and Abundance : Nematode counting using Cobb decantation and sucrose centrifugation.
• Phytopathogenic Nematode Species : Identification of problematic species through microscopic observation.

Heavy Metals

• Heavy Metals and Organic Compounds : Levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury, as well as several persistent organic compounds, were determined using advanced spectroscopy techniques. The results of these analyzes are critical to evaluating the environmental safety of the park and its suitability for recreational use and conservation.

Soil Pollutants

• Heavy metals and organic compounds: Levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury, as well as several persistent organic compounds, have been determined using advanced spectroscopic techniques. The results of these analyses are critical in assessing the environmental safety of the park and its suitability for recreational and conservation use.

As well as providing a solid basis for informed management decisions, Tamarguillo Park contributes to a more efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for visitors and local wildlife.