Digging up Dirt on Soil Ecotoxicology

Soil is often overlooked – we walk on it, we grow food in it, but we rarely think about what’s actually in it. Yet soil is one of the most important ecosystems on Earth. And it’s under siege.

From traditional pollutants like heavy metals and petroleum compounds to emerging threats like PFAS and microplastics, our soils are becoming increasingly contaminated. But how do we know how bad it is? How do we assess the risk to human health?

Enter tardigrades – nearly indestructible microscopic creatures that can survive extreme temperatures, radiation, and even space. These tiny titans are helping scientists understand soil health and contamination in ways we never could before.

This week, we’re digging deep into soil ecotoxicology with Erin Koster from The University of Melbourne. We’ll learn how contaminants affect soil organisms and ecosystems, and how they move through the food chain into plants, animals, and ultimately into us.

Because healthy soil isn’t just about plants – it’s about all of us. And when we understand what’s beneath the surface, we can make better choices for our future.

Originally aired 12th May, 2026.

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