Researchers at the University of Milan-Bicocca are utilizing a natural method to assess soil pollution by observing the behavior of earth pigs, the only crustaceans that have colonized the mainland. These ancient animals exhibit gregarious behavior which changes when exposed to contaminated soil. The researchers aim to develop an instrumental prototype that combines the behavior of piglets with artificial intelligence tools to differentiate between healthy and contaminated soil.
The project manager, Lorenzo Federico, explains that monitoring soil contamination is essential to combat its effects. By studying how the behavior of earth pigs changes when exposed to contaminated soil, they can determine the level of pollution present. The team aims to develop a rapid, economical, and non-invasive method to monitor soil pollution through the observation of earth pig behavior.
The researchers plan to use a device combining an infrared micro-camera with a Plexiglas arena to monitor the aggregation state of piglets in contaminated soil. This method will allow them to quantify behavioral changes in response to contaminants quickly and accurately. The goal is to develop a prototype that uses automatic analysis procedures to quantify these changes, reducing the time needed to assess soil quality.
To fund the development of the prototype, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched on the Ideaginger.it platform. The project, “Many Little Pigs!”, has been selected by A2A for co-financing and aims to raise 10,000 euros. Supporters of the project will have the opportunity to contribute to this innovative research and may even receive rewards such as having their own soil analyzed for contamination. This project represents a unique approach to soil pollution assessment that combines biology, ecology, and artificial intelligence technologies.