This project might be of interest to many of you. Please help if you can. I
have already asked the authors a couple of questions to see if we can be of
assistance, and the answer is yes. See below.
--- begin forwarded text
A message from Lancaster University
> ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
>
> Kevin Jones and Wendy Ockenden, from the Environmental Science Department
> at Lancaster University, are
> involved in an EU funded project called GLOBAL-SOC. The aim of the
> project is to obtain a global mass balance for PCBs. Part of their
> involvement is to carry out a global soil survey, so they are trying
> to find people across the globe who may be able to collect soil
> samples for them. They will provide a sampling kit and a protocol, so
> the sampling should be easy and 'idiot-proof'! Sampling could be
> carried out any time within the next 18 months, but they need to draws
> together a list of potential sampling areas as soon as possible.
>
> If you are planning holidays/work trips to exotic far off places and
> would be willing to collect some soil, please let them know. Equally
> they would like to receive names of contacts who may be able to help.
> Email: w.ockenden@lancaster.ac.uk
>
--- end forwarded text
_________
My questions to the authors:
Greetings,
This looks like a great project, but I have a few questions before I
forward the request to others.
1. In the U.S., our Customs officers and USDA are inclined to quarantine
imported soil samples. Have you checked with the Ministry of Agriculture,
Customs Bureau, or other agency to assess protocol for handling importation
of soil samples of unknown quality/characteristics?
2. I participate in several internet lists related to sustainable
agriculture that have US and other international participants. Do US soils
qualify as exotic far off places for purposes of your study, or should I
qualify the repost to discourage US submissions to your project?
Glad to help in anyway possible.
Cheers.
______________
And the reply:
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 04:07:52 +0000
To: greenman@terracom.net
From: w.ockenden@lancaster.ac.uk (Wendy Ockenden)
Subject: soil samples
Hi!
Thanks for the message which has been forwarded to me by Chris Kaighin. In
answer to your queries:
1. Indeed our minestry of agriculture fisheries and food (MAFF) do require
us to obtain a licence before we are able to receive soils from other
countries. I have been in touch with them and have applied for such a
licence. I have been assured that there should be no problems and I hope
that it will arrive in the next month. This will be sent out with all
sampling kits. So I can only hope that there will be no problems!!
2. Anywhere outside Lancaster (UK!) sounds exotic to me! Maybe I have been
here too long! Yes, it would be great if we could receive soils from the
US....infact anywhere in the world!!!! It would be great if you could
publicise our request.
Thanks very much for your help
Best wishes,
Wendy
--------------------------------------------------------------
Wendy A. Ockenden
Environmental Science Department
Institute of Environmental & Natural Sciences
Lancaster University
Lancaster
LA1 4YQ
Tel: +44 (0)1524-65201 ext 94341 (office)
ext 94343 (lab)
Fax: +44 (0)1524-593985
Email: w.ockenden@lancaster.ac.uk
That's all Sane-Netters. Feel free to distribute this to other lists.
Best Wishes,
Douglas B. Johnson
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