The fieldwork at Lousal began on January the 16th, 2020. For two days, a multidisciplinary group of Spanish scientists was on site, with the aim of characterizing the abiotic and biotic environment. Several samples were collected from different types of soil, waters with different characteristics and species of flora occurring in the region.
It was intended to know the composition and other physical and chemical characteristics of the topsoil, namely its levels of contamination with heavy metals, as well as to individually analyze the different layers of soil occurring along low depth profiles (from 2 to 3 m) , until the rock layer is found. In the latter case, some excavations were made to collect the necessary samples, and closed again after it.
Several bodies of water existing in Lousal, namely the Red and Green Lagoons and Ribeira de Corona, as well as the water in the bioremediation tanks, were sampled, to further analysis of various parameters such as pH, the amount of dissolved heavy metals or the suspended solid charge.

The sampling of the flora was mainly aimed at knowing the existing species, as well as the amount of heavy minerals that they accumulate and are present in their organisms.
These samplings will allow to know the reference situation in Lousal, before the intervention.
An aerial survey of the physiography and topography of the terrain was also carried out, using a drone. These records are essential for the application of the GeoFluvTM-Natural Regrade method and modeling of the terrain to intervene.
The samplings carried out will allow to know the reference situation in Lousal, before the beginning of the conservation actions of the LIFE RIBERMINE project.

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Cataloging of superficial soil samples.

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