In September, all 12 partners of the SOILPROM project gathered once again — this time in Norway — to share first results, exchange ideas, and plan the next steps of the project.

The Consortium Meeting was hosted by NIBIO, the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, which leads the Norwegian use-case in Nes municipality, Akershus county — about 50 km northeast of Oslo. During the meeting, participants had the opportunity to visit the local field sites and see firsthand how the research is progressing.

Tackling phosphorus loss in agricultural land

The Norwegian case study focuses on one of the region’s key environmental challenges: phosphorus loss from agricultural soils to nearby freshwater bodies. This nutrient runoff can lead to eutrophication, causing algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and declining water quality in rivers and lakes.

While much previous research has focused on surface runoff and erosion, SOILPROM is digging deeper — quite literally — to understand what happens below ground.

The project investigates sorption (when phosphorus binds to soil particles) and desorption (when it’s released into water). These processes depend on factors such as soil chemistry, weather conditions, and farming practices, making them vital for understanding nutrient movement and designing effective management strategies.

Long-Term Monitoring: A Unique Strength

NIBIO’s use-case benefits from an exceptional long-term dataset collected through Norway’s JOVA monitoring programme, which has recorded detailed measurements of soil, water quality, and farming practices since 1992.