SOILPROM

Modelling pollutant transport across the soil-water-atmosphere conituum, and impacts on ecosystem services

Thanks to a unique upgrade of knowledge and advanced digital tools, SOILPROM will improve the modelling of soil pollution processes for metals, PFAS, nutrients, microplastics, and pesticides through soil, air, water, and plants compartments, to reach reduced levels of pollution and healthier soils across Europe. Using both existing European databases and local newly collected standardised datasets in accordance with DestinE and EUSO requirements, project partners will upgrade, integrate and validate existing soil pollution models under field conditions in its 6 diversified use-cases. 

The upgraded and integrated models will be usable in an open-access Modelling Platform for scientists coupled with a decision-support tool for practitioners. It will allow to gain knowledge and to increase the capacities in describing key pollution processes and their long-term impacts with respect to the different soil processes, functions, and related ecosystem services. Particularly, emphasis will be placed on quantifying ecosystem services in the 6 SOILPROM use-cases and the related impact of local policies and practices, leading to the development of scenarios. Thus, SOILPROM will deliver suitable recommendations to enhance the uptake of policies and sustainable soil management practices for environmental and human well-being. All along the project and through regular workshops, consultations, and meetings, SOILPROM will work in close collaboration with its end-users, ranging from the R&D community to local, national, and EU policymakers, but also various land managers and related EU projects.

Project ID

101156589

Funding period

1 September 2024 - 31 August 2028

Total budget

€6,818,387.50

EU contribution

€6,818,387.47

Funding programme

Horizon Europe

Call for proposals

HORIZON-MISS-2023-SOIL-01-02

Type of action

Research and Innovation Actions

Type of stakeholder

Scientists, practitioners, the R&D community to local, national, and EU policymakers, land managers and related EU projects

Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:

Specific objectives

  • 1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
    Not targeted
  • 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
    Not targeted
  • 3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
    Not targeted
  • 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
    Targeted
  • 5. Prevent erosion
    Not targeted
  • 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
    Not targeted
  • 7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
    Not targeted
  • 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
    Partially targeted

Operational objectives

  • 1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
    Partially targeted
  • 2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
    Partially targeted
  • 3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
    Partially targeted
  • 4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
    Partially targeted

Innovation hotspots

  • 1. Carbon farming
    Not targeted
  • 2. Soil pollution and restoration
    Targeted
  • 3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
    Not targeted
  • 4. Circular economy solutions
    Not targeted

Cross-cutting dimensions

  • 1. Business
    Not targeted
  • 2. Digital
    Targeted
  • 3. Territorial
    Not targeted
  • 4. International
    Not targeted

© European Union, 2024. Image sources: Adobe.Stock.com