Change Inc · Duurzaamheid

2,000 buried underpants provide insights into soil quality

Researchers from the University of Zurich and Agroscope have been awarded an Ig Nobel Prize for their 'Beweisstück Unterhose' project, which used 2,000 pairs of underpants buried by 1,000 volunteers to assess soil quality and land use.

The project, initiated in 2021, involved burying underpants and tea bags across Switzerland. After two months, the underpants were exhumed, photographed, and analyzed with soil samples. The results, published recently, earned scientists Franz Bender, Atlant Bieri, Pia Viviani, and Marcel van der Heijden the satirical Ig Nobel Prize.

Despite its humorous premise, the research has serious implications, as soil quality is vital for biodiversity, ecosystems, and agricultural yields. Van der Heijden stated that land management significantly impacts soil life and quality, with a healthy, biologically active soil being crucial for fertility and nutrient cycling.

The decomposition rate of the cotton underpants correlated strongly with land use type (e.g., garden, pasture, crop field) and soil chemistry. Faster decomposition indicated higher soil fertility and nutrient levels, suggesting suitability for agriculture. However, excessive nutrients might signal over-fertilization, which is not ideal.

The choice of underpants was practical, as their elastic bands made them easier to recover in one piece compared to other items like socks. While some may have decomposed completely in the soil, the experiment provided valuable data on soil health.

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