Top soil and water - The climate challenge in the near subsurface (TOPSOIL)

The TOPSOIL project explores the possibilities of using the topsoil layers to solve current and future water challenges. It looks beneath the surface of the ground, predicts and finds solutions for climate related threats, like flooding during wet periods and drought during warmer seasons.

The overall objective of the project is the joint development of methods to describe and manage the uppermost 30m of the subsurface, in order to improve the climate resilience of the North Sea Region. In addition, the project will demonstrate a practical implementation of solutions in 16 pilot projects.

To make sure the proposed objectives are met by the end of the project, five major working areas have been identified where international cooperation will be particularly beneficial:

• Flooding in towns and agricultural areas due to the rising groundwater table caused by changed precipitation patterns.
• Saltwater intrusion into freshwater reserves due to rising sea levels and changed irrigation, drainage and drinking water demands.
• The need for a groundwater buffer to store water in periods of excess rainfall. The buffer of fresh water can be used for irrigation purposes during dry periods.
• Better knowledge and management of soil conditions, which will provide better resilience to extreme rainfall events, improve water quality and crop yields.
• The capacity to break down nutrients and other environmentally hazardous pollutants in the uppermost layers is yet unexplored. By improving our understanding, better land management can be implemented.