The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and the
Ministry of Land and Resources will jointly launch a three-year
soil pollution survey, at a cost of 1 billion yuan (US$125
million), it was announced yesterday at a national video
conference.
The survey will cover the Chinese mainland only, excluding Taiwan,
Hong Kong and Macao.
The survey will focus on achieving the following:
First, to analyze the contents of heavy metals, pesticide
residue and organic pollutants in soil, and to study the
physical-chemical properties of soil based on utilization and type
of soil.
Second, to follow up on the National Soil Environmental
Background Investigation completed during the 1986-90 period,
collecting and testing soil samples to compare results, and to
analyze soil quality changes, if any, over the last 20 years.
Further, to update and expand the national soil sample
database.
Third, to classify risk evaluation and soil pollution in key
regions including areas close to where heavy pollution enterprises,
industrial sites, solid waste disposal sites, oilfields, mining
areas, and major vegetable growing bases are located. In addition,
to collect samples of soil, agricultural products and groundwater
using controlled methods, and to test and analyze them to identify
types, scope, degree, distribution and causes of pollution.
Fourth, to launch pilot programs to rehabilitate and treat
polluted soil, for research and development, and the import of
techniques and technology.
Fifth, to establish a soil environmental quality monitoring and
management system and emergency plan. The plan will include soil
pollution prevention strategies, policies, legislation, and
assessment systems. In addition, to improve the national soil
pollution monitoring network and to spearhead soil environmental
security education projects.
(China.org.cn by Li Shen, July 19, 2006)