| The BoOOM project (Soil Orientation Values for Organic Pollutants and Microplastics) aims to build on the AustroPOPs and PLASBo projects to further develop and consolidate the data on organic pollutants and (micro)plastics in Austrian soils and to create practical assessment criteria.
BoOOM has three main focuses: First, all available data — in particular from the previous BBK projects AustroPOPs, PLASBo, the soil information system BORIS, and other research results — will be compiled, expanded, and systematically evaluated with the aim of enabling scientifically based assessment of contamination levels (AP2). Secondly, for the first time, guideline values for selected organic pollutants, in particular PFAS and microplastics, are to be developed as well as necessary criteria and guidelines (AP3). These serve as assessment and communication tools for authorities, administration, and practitioners to support the processes for implementing the Soil Monitoring Law at national and EU level. This will enable the identification and assessment of potential risks from pollutant contamination and the communication of scientifically based information to the public.Thirdly, BoOOM is dedicated to examining potential entry paths via organic fertilizers such as compost or sewage sludge or agricultural plastic use (WP4)— in order to improve the quality of organic fertilizers, promote source reduction, prevention strategies and a pollutant-free circular economy. The focus here is on (micro)plastics, PFAS, and selected pesticides.
By combining analytically validated methods (e.g., FTIR), integrating previous and new research results from data and literature, and involving experts from federal and state government, science, and practice in stakeholder participation and science communication, BoOOM is providing a significant contribution to the development of evidence-based soil protection. The project results are integrated into national monitoring strategies – for example, as part of the Project SoMONA (Soil Monitoring Austria) – as well as into European and international initiatives (especially the EU Soil Monitoring Law (SML), PFAS Action Plan, and global plastics agreement). In this way, BoOOM contributes to the sustainable protection of soils as a central environmental medium from harmful substance and microplastic inputs and creates a new basis for future legal regulations and policy measures for soil protection. |