GeoExplore vs SoilPlastic

GeoExplore is primarily a geological data logging (recording) toolset. Use GeoExplore to gather data at any location(s) of your choice (a Custom Field Trip) or download into the app one of the Guided Field Trips, prepared by geology teachers and lecturers..
Guided Field Trips come with a map and suggested locations to explore, along with detailed information about those locations. These field trips often have a specific aim, e.g. a mapping exercise, or structural exercise.

GeoExplore provides a toolkit consisting of compass/clinometer, graphic (sedimentary) logging tool, make audio notes, text notes and take photos all linked to a specific site, or to a bed in the logging tool. Other facilities include rock type information, grain size reference, glossary of terms (which may be customised to field trip topic). Means to assign rock types and link them to observation sites in a mapping exercise.

 All recorded data is held within GeoExplore, even when switched off, or running a different field trip. Data may be shared by email contacts, based on selected site, or sedimentary log, specific bed or entire field trip.

 Although the GeoExplore is primarily designed for recording geological information, it would support anyone wishing to record data by location in fields such as archaeology, ecology, forestry, park management, soil conservation, highway/footpath maintenance... GeoExplore is path of the Voyages in DeepTime project delivered by the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust, with support provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Bransford Trust, Tomlinson-Brown Trust and numerous other organisations and individuals..

Plastic use has facilitated many practices in agriculture in the past decades. However, the increased application leads to aggregations of plastic in the fields in various contents. From the different plastic debris micro-, and nano-plastics (MNP) are derived and are small enough to be ingested by a wide range of organisms and can cross biological barriers at nano-scale and enter plant systems. This emerging risk has prompted first studies that confirmed the high potential of accumulation of MP in soils causing changes in physico-chemical soil properties. Consequently, this can cause alternation of soil functions such as soil water dynamics and ultimately affect related ecosystem services (ESS) like nutrient cycling, plant growth, and soil biodiversity, which have unmeasured impacts on the economy of the farm. These effects could be even magnified with the presence of MP in combination of other soil pollutants, such as pesticides and veterinary drugs or plastic additives (e.g. dyes), potentially exhibiting synergistic effects. Within the EU research project ‘Minagris’ these interactive mechanisms are explored and documented. This App /’SoilPlastic’ motivates and engages various stakeholders to contribute to this process by observing and documenting plastic residues/littering in and on soils, submitting anonymized content to a global database. The aim is to identify needs, improve farmer and citizen awareness, provide practitioners with scientifically sound guidance on the impact of different plastic uses and inputs on soil ecosystems – enabling them to make informed decisions – and joint development of novel strategies for reducing plastic contamination. Additionally, with the observed data, a better understanding of any potentially harmful impacts of plastic debris to soil functions, soil biodiversity, related ESS, agricultural productivity at the field level, and related socio-economic consequences at farm level is provided. The App is running on the SPOTTERON Citizen Science Platform at www.spotteron.net