Water and soil survey underway in Galway City

Extensive soil and water sampling is currently being carried out around Galway City for the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI).

The ‘Tellus’ survey is being carried out by GSI employees in a grid of the city on over 100 sampling areas, as part of a national project aimed at providing data on soils, rocks and stream water.

In many parts of rural Galway, an airborne geophysical survey has already been carried out by low flying aircraft – the current operation being carried out in the city involves manually extracted samples of soil, stream water and stream sediment.

What is known as the geochemical survey of the city, is due to be completed by the end of the month, as part of the Tellus geoscience mapping programme.

According to the Geological Survey of Ireland, the collection of the chemical and geophysical data ‘will inform the management of Ireland’s environment and natural resources.’

Trained samplers – normally operating in teams of two – collect soil samples at both 20cm and 50cm depths, using a hand tool called an auger. Stream sediments are collected from the water bed using a hand shovel and a sieve, while sterilised bottles used for the water removal.

“Multi-element laboratory analyses of these samples to trace level allows a suite of some 55 maps to be produced, useful for mineral exploration, agricultural productivity and environmental management,” the GSI state.

A spokesperson for the City Council said that while they were aware of the survey being carried it was a GSI operation with most of the samples being taken from public areas.

“The samples are being taken in the city area through the month of April in what is part of a nationwide survey process by GSI,” said the spokesperson.