Mining in Cornwall has left us with soils that are polluted with metals, and this pollution affects how the crops grow. Some plants like cabbages and cauliflowers (and other brassicas) are well adapted to growing in these conditions. These plants can accumulate the metals without harm, while other plants can suffer from the toxicity.
Bacteria are present everywhere, and the soil is no different. Bacteria are essential to how the planet works. Some soil bacteria produce compounds called 'siderophores' that bind onto metal pollution. This can change how much pollution plants take up. So, bacteria can influence the movement of pollutants through whole ecosystems. Because of this, bacteria could play a key role in helping clean up contaminated soils. How we treat our soil can affect the behaviour of bacteria, which in turn affects the plants and their ability to cope with pollution levels.
The Dig for Dirt project is led by Dr. Elze Hesse at the University of Exeter and funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. The web portal and project running are led by the non-profit organisation Then Try This.
