Dear DanielleS. I'm a software developer, retired but still active with code writing, developing analytics for natural resource management. We just had a major incident at the Brumadinho iron mining dam in State Minas Gerais Brazil, which might cause some of the worst environmental disasters, we've ever seen. I'm doing research how to create a basic monitoring device, possibly based on spectrophotometer to detect traces of contaminants, mainly the heavy metal elements in river water, or soil. Avoiding reagents would be great, as it helps to automate the measurement without need for human intervention, or expensive laboratory assistance. Not sure yet, if this will be possible, for now its just a line of thoughts and research. I'm happy to exchange ideas about this techniques, also for soil measurement, as there is growing market for such type of monitoring. Regards, Claude (Brazil)

I know it's expensive, but the quickest heavy metal monitor is to dry the soil and do X-Ray flourescence (XRF).

After that, there are many set chemical tests for heavy metals. How well they work on soil, I don't know.

Thanks @falbriard - I would love to exchange thoughts and brainstorm on this. I think its really important to keep developing these technologies. Will you be at the Barnraising? If not, lets chat!

@DanielleS I live and work at the Southern Coast in Brazil in a green forest belt known as Atlantic Rain forest. Traveling to Barnraising/TX would be nice, but for now its far too distant, maybe for next years meeting! Regarding the research on contaminants and its detection, I got some progress and its about the use of chemical reagents. I found one, named "Diphenylthiocarbazone (or Dithizone)" that is binding to Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, Mn, Co, Ni and it gives color information at the visible spectrum. For more details and updates please check my latest posts.

XRF analyzers are expensive to purchase; however , most companies that sell them will also rent instruments. This is a great option for large projects only involving metals- using the XRF for screening purposes. The best methods and data (still) are to send off to a certified lab..

@falbriard @jjcreedon thank you for the info! Can you join us for a brainstorm about soil testing at the Upcoming OpenHour?

Date: Monday, April 1st Time: 6pm London / 1pm NYC / 12pm New Orleans

Soil testing through professional labs can be expensive. While there are more affordable options such as XRF and other field test kits, most are still out of community’s price range or aren’t widely available. DIY and open source soil testing methods and technology need further development.

Come to share and brainstorm open-source, DIY methods for soil testing. We'll spend time discuss pathways forward for soil testing that are more accessible, and meet others working on this!

Or call in: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York), Meeting ID: 924 452 960 or Find your local number here.

ps- so great that some of you can make it to the Open Hour on soil testing! We are going to harvest the soil testing options in a spreadsheet- please contribute info about the methods you use before the meeting: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dPla3jTr2D_FIBexqd_zKLYyyoA0PgTgH40Xy_3MtPY/edit?usp=sharing