Many Little Pigs, Many Big Changes: Innovative Earth Pig-Based Method for Soil Pollution Assessment
Researchers at the University of Milan-Bicocca are developing an innovative method to assess soil pollution by observing the behavior of earth pigs. The team has launched a crowdfunding campaign titled “Many Little Pigs!” to create an instrumental prototype that combines the gregarious behavior of piglets with artificial intelligence tools to distinguish healthy soil from contaminated soil.
Earth pigs, ancient crustaceans that colonized the mainland millions of years ago, have adapted to new environments by exhibiting gregarious behavior, sticking together to reduce individual contact with the air. When exposed to contaminated soil, they fragment, indicating pollution levels.
The first step in combating soil pollution is monitoring contamination levels. The researchers have developed a rapid, economical, and non-invasive method for observing earth pigs’ gregarious behavior when exposed to soil contaminants. By studying piglets’ reactions, they aim to determine pollution levels in the soil.
To develop the prototype, 10,000 euros must be raised through a fundraising campaign on Ideaginger.it. The project is part of BiUniCrowd’s VI edition and is co-financed by A2A. Supporters can donate on the project page and may receive rewards like having their garden soil analyzed for health.
The “Many Little Pigs!” project aims to revolutionize soil pollution assessment by using earth pigs’ behavior and advanced technology to identify contaminated soil accurately and efficiently. By working together with the community and supporters, researchers hope to create a sustainable method for protecting the environment from pollution.
In summary, researchers at Milan-Bicocca are developing an innovative natural method to assess soil pollution by observing earth pigs’ behavior when exposed to contaminated soil. With support from A2A and crowdfunding campaigns like “Many Little Pigs!”, they hope to create a sustainable solution for protecting our planet from environmental degradation caused by pollution.
