Implementation of operational monitoring of the input of dangerous substances and plant nutrients into the soil

The polluter is obliged to ensure operational monitoring of the input of dangerous substances and plant nutrients into the soil, namely the polluter who causes soil pollution with their activity, i.e. with sewage sludge from treatment plants, compost or silt.

The polluter ensures operational monitoring by hiring a provider of monitoring of the input of dangerous substances and plant nutrients into the soil, who has the authorisation for the implementation of such monitoring.

A measurement of basic and additional parameters of soil and measurements of parameters of sewage sludge from treatment plants, compost or silt is necessary within operational monitoring.

Operational monitoring entails:

• sampling of soil, sewage sludge from treatment plants, compost or silt and preparation of samples;
• measuring parameters;
• assessing emission and annual quantity of hazardous substances and plant nutrients;
• preparation of report on performed measurements.

PARAMETER MEASUREMENTS

Soil pollution parameter according to the measurement procedure is the measured content of hazardous substance in the soil. The parameters of sewage sludge from treatment plants, compost or silt are hazardous substances and plant nutrients with determined limit values, the content of organic substances, pH value and the content of pathogenic intestinal bacteria and living parasite eggs.

The measurements of parameters of soil, sewage sludge from treatment plants, compost or silt must be implemented prior to the issue of the authorisation for the input of dangerous substances and plant nutrients into the soil and apply for all:

• Basic parameters

Basic soil parameters are the parameters of soil pollution with specified limit values.

• additional parameters

Additional parameters are the parameters of pedological soil analysis. Pedological soil analysis is the analysis of parameters of pH value, phosphorus and potassium available for plant intake, total nitrogen, organic carbon, dry matter, soil exchange capacity and texture, used to define the pedological characteristics of soil.

SOIL SAMPLING

A sample of soil for the preparation of a representative sample for measuring pedological features and soil pollution parameters is soil taken at the same sampling site.

Soil sample on fields is taken at the depth of the arable land (upper processing soil layer in the case of arable use of land), at 0–6 cm and 6–12 cm on meadows, and at 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm in permanent crops.  The soil sample must be taken prior to fertilisation and before sowing or planting of plants or after harvest. A soil sample must not be taken immediately after a long draught period or after the land has been frozen or flooded.