What stood
out most to me was how well-organized these efforts are in countries
like Finland and the UK—centralized, coordinated, and fully integrated
into broader environmental policies. In her presentation, Aire Rihe from the Ministry of Climate highlighted
the growing pressure from the European Union to set standards for soil
health, reminding us that Estonia cannot afford to fall behind. While
there’s no mandate in place yet, the writing is on the wall, and we need
to be prepared to meet these requirements.
A key takeaway from the conference is that it's not about jumping straight into a nationwide soil mapping initiative. Paul Everett from the British Geological Survey emphasized
the value of long-term, strategic planning and how countries with established geochemical mapping programs, like the UK and Finland, have
built their frameworks step by step. In our case, starting with pilot
projects on selected test sites would be a more manageable, realistic
approach. Elina Kuusma from the Geological Survey of Estonia made
a strong point about the need to gather more consistent data across
Estonia, which could be achieved by focusing on a few key areas before
expanding nationwide. The data gathered through these pilot projects
would not only help refine our methods but also serve as a proof of
concept for decision-makers, showing the practical benefits of such
efforts.
The biggest hurdle right now is the lack of governmental guidance and budget allocation. Aire Rihe mentioned
that while there is interest in soil monitoring from the ministry's
side, there’s still a gap when it comes to formal guidelines and
budgeting. Until this changes, everything from pilot projects to
full-scale mapping will remain on the drawing board. This is where the Geological Survey of Estonia must
step up and take the lead—working closely with ministries, lobbying for
a unified approach, and, of course, securing funding. The
infrastructure to support these efforts is already in place in other
countries, so we’re not starting from scratch; we just need to adapt it
to our context.
One
interesting lesson from the conference was how much Finland has
embraced not just the technical aspects of soil mapping but also the
communication and sharing of data.
Tarja Hatakka from the Geological Survey of Finland presented
the TAPIR web server, which has made geochemical data publicly
accessible and has proven to be an invaluable tool for local
governments, researchers, and the public alike. This transparency not
only encourages accountability but also helps different
stakeholders—from city planners to environmentalists—make informed
decisions. A similar platform could benefit Estonia, where public access
to environmental data is often fragmented. In fact, the challenge isn’t
only collecting soil data; it’s making it usable, shareable, and
interpretable for a wide audience.
In terms of real-world applications, Heli Lehtinen from the City of Helsinki showed
how geochemical baseline data is actively being used for environmental
supervision and urban planning in Helsinki. It's impressive how the city
has integrated this data into its management of contaminated sites and
how the local government is heavily involved in directing soil research.
The proactive approach Helsinki takes could serve as a model for cities
like Tallinn, where urban development is increasing but soil health
considerations are still often secondary. This kind of engagement from
local authorities would be transformative in Estonia, where
municipalities often lack the resources or interest to prioritize soil
monitoring.
But it’s not just about urban development or contamination management. Hans Orru from the University of Tartu spoke
about the less visible but equally important link between soil health
and human health. While the direct impacts of soil contamination on
public health are sometimes hard to quantify, there is growing evidence
that pollutants in soil can have long-term effects, especially in urban
environments. Establishing geochemical baselines will help us better
understand these risks and contribute to more comprehensive health
studies. Without these baselines, we are essentially flying blind,
unable to accurately assess potential health impacts.
In
the coming months, the conversation needs to shift toward concrete
steps. We don’t need a massive budget to get the ball rolling. What we
need is collaboration, vision, and the will to start small, learn, and
scale up as needed. Kadi Karmen Kaldma and Kairi Koort, in their
talks on the impact of abiotic factors on community and learning
gardens, underscored the importance of involving local communities in
soil research. Their research into soil safety in Tallinn’s gardens
demonstrates that public engagement not only raises awareness but also
leads to more actionable data.
At
the end of the day, urban soil mapping is not just about meeting EU
regulations; it’s about safeguarding our environment, our health, and
our future. It's time to move from discussion to action—however modest
that first step may be.
Martin Liira
Geological Survey of Estonia
Senior Geologist
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