Assessment of the Screening Procedure for Measuring Nitrate in the Soils of Baden-Württemberg (Germany)

Since 1987 yearly soil monitoring — SchALVO (protection provision and compensation ordinance) has been undertaken in Baden-Wurttemberg Germany. The aim of SchALVO is to inspect the amount of NO3 in soils situated in water protection areas and, if necessary, to initiate punishment for high levels of fertilization by farmers. The effect of the SchALVO actions is very clear: the average amount of NO3 in the soil has been halved in the last 5 years and the maximum values have fallen by even more than half of their original levels.