Welcome to the OPAL Soil Centre

The OPAL National Soil Centre is one of five national centres of expertise under the OPAL project. The centre is based at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London. 

Scientific objectives

The OPAL Soil Centre is coordinating an England-wide survey on soil and their earthworm populations. The survey compliments research the centre is carrying out into soils and soil quality. Research is focused on the interaction with pollution, other environmental media, and human and ecosystem health. The effects of anthropogenic activities including waste and land management practices to soils is an ongoing research theme. 

The Opal Soil Centre aims

·         Provide information, resources and training on soil quality and soil biodiversity at the community level.

·         Coordinate a national survey to discover the degree of awareness and understanding of soil quality and ecosystems in England.

·         Carry out research into pollution sources and their pathways in soil and the way that they affect soil systems.