Laboratory analyses of topsoil samples collected in the context of the LUCAS 2018

Description

The Land Use and Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) includes a module of topsoil monitoring. Around 26,000 topsoil samples are collected in natural and semi-natural environments (i.e. agricultural land, woodland and grassland) across Europe. These samples shall be analysed for physical and chemical parameters and for DNA with standard methods. This procurement concerns the provision of laboratory services for the analysis of soil physical and chemical parameters, heavy metals, pesticides and antibiotics, and DNA in the topsoil samples collected in the context of the LUCAS 2018 Survey. The objective of the service contract for Lot 1 is to analyse basic soil physical and chemical parameters and heavy metals on topsoil samples as indicated in the tender documents. The topsoil samples are collected in mineral and organic soils in natural and semi-natural environments (i.e. agricultural land, woodland and grassland). The objective of the service contract for Lot 2 is to carry out DNA analysis on 1,050 topsoil samples collected in the context of LUCAS 2018 Topsoil Survey in order to assess soil biodiversity and antibiotic resistance genes. The topsoil samples have been collected in natural and semi-natural environments (i.e. agricultural land, woodland and grassland). The objective of the service contract for Lot 3 is to analyse Plant Protection Products (PPPs) and antibiotics as indicated in the tender documents. The topsoil samples are collected in mineral and organic soils in agricultural land and grassland.