This document outlines a proposed "Best Practice Manual" to standardize soil analysis procedures across different regions and laboratories. The manual would be a compilation of existing guidelines organized into different volumes covering topics like site characterization, soil sampling, chemical analysis, physical analysis, biological analysis, data management, and contaminants. It aims to reduce variability in methods and results. Each regional soil analysis network would select a "Regional Reference Center" to provide training, facilitate standardization, and support activities related to the manual. An estimated initial budget of $500,000 is proposed to develop and publish the manuals, build capacity at the Regional Reference Centers, and conduct regional trainings.

1. Ms. Lucrezia Caon
GLOSOLAN coordinator
Item 12: Best Practice Manual

4. Why this Manual?
Despite multiple existing guidelines and handbooks, the
variability of methods, machinery and analytical quality is
immense.
How does this Manual would look like?
- It would be a compendium of different manuals to be published as soon
as ready (overcome problems related to document’s review, etc.)
- The number of manuals can grow over time depending on needs
- In specific cases, regional specifics could also be highlighted or even
summarized in annexes or different volumes.
This links to the work done by RESOLANs in term of
regional harmonization of procedures to assess soil
nutrient parameters

5. Manual 1: site characterization, sampling and sample
pre-treatment
Volume 1.1. How to collect a soil sample for soil nutrient
assessment: site selection and sampling. PILLAR 4
Extra notes on the content: equipment, sample transport and
storage, moisture conditions
Volume 1.2. Generic characterization of sites and samples.
Extra notes on the content: site description, texture class, soil
type, etc. PILLAR 4
Volume 1.3: Soil sample pre-treatment

6. Manual 2: Soil chemical analysis
Note that for each method there will be information on the relevance/use,
principle of measurement, apparatus, reagents, procedure, calculations,
report, and reference)
Volume 2.1. Organic carbon
Volume 2.2. pH
Volume 2.3. Available Phosphorous
Volume 2.4. Available Potassium
Volume 2.5. Total Nitrogen
Volume 2.6. Exchangeable cations and CEC
Volume 2.7. Extractable microelements
Volume 2.8. Calcium carbonate content
Volume 2.9. Gypsum
Volume 2.10. Electrical conductivity and total soluble salt content
Volume 2.12. Soluble sulfate and chloride analysis
Volume 2.13. Special analysis for peats, mineral and organic soils,
agriculture and forests (more info to be provided when volume is to be
written)

7. Manual 3: Soil physical analysis
Volume 3.1. Bulk density
Volume 3.2. Coarse fragments
Volume 3.3. Particle size distribution
Volume 3.4. Water retention curve
Volume 3.5. Porosity [to be discussed]
Volume 3.6. Hydraulic conductivity function
Volume 3.7. Aggregate stability
Volume 3.8. Moisture content
Manual 4: Soil biological analysis
Volume 4.1. Soil microbial biomass
Volume 4.2. Soil respiration
Volume 4.3. Soil enzymes activity
Volume 4.4. Microbial identification

8. Manual 5: Data quality, management and validation
Volume 5.1. Data quality requirements
Volume 5.2. Data management and validation
Manual 6: Harmonization and correlation factors

9. Manual 7: Data processing: soil functions,
classification, statistics
For Pillar 5 but not GLOSOLAN

10. Manual 8: Soil contaminants (WG2 on soil pollution)
• Volume 22. Inorganic contaminants
(Trace elements – metals and metalloids (As, Pb, Cd…list these);
Radionuclides; Explosives; Plastics and synthetic polymers;
Synthetic dyes; Asbestos)
• Volume 23. Organic contaminants
(BTEX – non halogenated monocyclic aromatics; Chlorinated
solvents; Petroleum hydrocarbons – non halogenated aliphatics;
PAHs ; POPs – PCBs, dioxins+furans; Pesticides; PFAS; Phthalates;
PBDEs; Phenols; Chlorobenzenes; Endocrine disrupting compounds;
Pharmaceuticals, drugs and personal care products)
• Volume 24. Emerging contaminants (at least that ones that are
scheduled to have official standards)
(Nanoparticles/microplastics; Antibiotics resistance genes (soil
resistome))

11. Manual 9: Standards or maximum allowed levels of
nutrients / Interpretation and recommendations
Volume 9.1.
Manual 10: Security in the lab
Manual 11: Good Laboratory Practices (link to
SEALNET and OECD)

12. To disseminate the knowledge collected in the
manuals, it is proposed that each RESOLAN select on
laboratory that will be called “Regional Reference
Center” (RRC)
- To provide regional and international trainings
(CAPACITY BUILDING)
- To facilitate standardization and harmonization
of the methods within and between regions
(also exchange programmes)
- To facilitate the execution of activities in
GLOSOLAN as needed

13. Estimated required budget:
USD 500 000 to
- Write and publish the manuals
- Build the capacity of RRC
- Organize regional trainings in the
RRCs
Need to be revised as per the new
decisions!

14. Thanks for your attention