Experts Set Key Agreements for Soil Sampling Under the DeepHorizon Project
Lusignan, France – Over the course of three intensive days, leading soil scientists and environmental experts from across Europe convened at INRAE’s experimental station in Lusignan to define the soil sampling protocols that will guide the next phase of the DeepHorizon project. The event, officially titled the Soil Sampling Protocol Meeting, took place between 17th and 19th February 2025, gathering representatives from prominent institutions such as those belonging to our consortium.
The primary objective was to harmonise soil sampling methodologies and data collection protocols, ensuring consistency across different study sites. By standardising procedures, researchers aim to produce comparable, high-quality datasets that will advance the scientific understanding of subsoil functions within the critical zone.
A Structured and Technical Programme
The meeting followed a structured agenda, blending fieldwork, technical discussions, and strategic planning:
- Day 1: Introduction to the experimental site, discussion of access agreements, site condition assessments, and sampling location mapping.
- Day 2: Implementation of trench sampling protocols, including excavation, soil profile description, and sample collection.
- Day 3: Coring sampling procedures, installation of sensors, and detailed analysis of sample storage and transport logistics.
The event also included group discussions and a focus group, allowing participants to exchange perspectives on challenges and innovations in soil research.
Key Agreements and Decisions
Over the three-day discussions in Lusignan, researchers focused on aligning methodologies and improving coordination across 40 core sites. Therefore, the meeting served as an opportunity to check existing protocols, make adjustments where necessary, and ensure that sampling methods remain consistent and scientifically rigorous.
And to achieve those goals, a number of practical improvements were meticulously agreed upon, aimed at enhancing efficiency in data collection as well as sample management. But also, discussions also touched on ways to streamline logistics, ensuring that procedures for handling and transporting soil samples remain reliable under different field conditions.
Participants had the opportunity to highlight need for clear documentation and standardised approaches, which will help facilitate collaboration between teams working in different regions. There was also a strong focus on maintaining the integrity of collected data, making sure that results are accurate, comparable, and useful for the broader scientific community.
In summary, the Soil Sampling Protocol resulted in key refinements to fieldwork methodologies aimed at ensuring consistency across research sites: (1) Sampling protocols were standardised, with agreed depths for soil collection and improved methods for extracting long cores while minimising site disturbance; (2) To enhance sample traceability, a QR-based labelling system was introduced alongside a colour-coded storage method to ensure appropriate preservation conditions. (3) Updates were also made to soil evaluation techniques, including improved assessment of biological structures and the adoption of high-resolution imaging for documentation; (4) Transport and conservation protocols were strengthened, particularly for samples requiring temperature control, and timelines were established for processing biologically sensitive material. But, discussions also focused on long-term monitoring, leading to the planned deployment of sensors to track soil moisture, temperature, and greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, agreements were reached on data access and standardisation, ensuring that scientific findings remain accessible while safeguarding sensitive institutional data.
There is no doubt that with these updates underway, the DeepHorizon project is set to move forward with a more coordinated and structured approach, reinforcing its commitment to high-quality research and environmental sustainability.
A Promising Future for Soil Science
The successful completion of the Soil Sampling Protocol Meeting marks an important milestone forward in the harmonization of soil investigation methodologies, as the DeepHorizon project is committed to developing ecosystem-based solutions that improve soil health and uncover vital subsurface processes within the critical zone.
Next steps include the translation and signing of access agreements by all sampling teams, while researchers will continue to work on data harmonization and refinement of methodologies, ensuring smooth field campaigns in spring and fall 2025.
Conclusion
The Soil Sampling Protocol Meeting in Lusignan was a crucial step in advancing the DeepHorizo project, bringing together leading experts to establish harmonised methodologies for soil investigation. Over three days of intensive discussions, fieldwork, and strategic planning, the meeting resulted in key refinements to sampling procedures, data collection, and long-term monitoring strategies.
One of the most highlighted outcomes was the standardisation of sampling protocols, ensuring that data collected across different research sites remains comparable and scientifically rigorous. The introduction of QR-based labelling and colour-coded storage systems will enhance sample traceability, while improvements in soil evaluation techniques, imaging protocols, and data accessibility will contribute to more accurate and transparent research. But, the meeting also focused on optimising transport and conservation processes to preserve sample integrity, particularly for biologically sensitive materials.
