Nature management plan, Expectations map soil pollution Dommeldal

De Dommel has in the past been charged with discharges from the zinc ore processing industry in Flanders. Due to natural inundations of the Dommel, contaminated sludge particles have been deposited on plots along the Dommel, resulting in a diffuse soil contamination with heavy metals in the Dommel Valley. Previous soil studies have shown that there is a link between the degree of pollution and environmental factors such as flood frequency, altitude and land use. There are no humane risks (direct health risks to humans in the normal use of the land) but there may be risks to food safety if there are consumption of certain crops grown on contaminated soil or when eating organ meat from animals kept on this contaminated soil. Under the name of Active Soil Management de Kempen, extensive communication with the region took place at the time. An extensive study was carried out in 2008 on the ecological risks, the so-called Triade study. This resulted in opinions on the application of risk-reducing management measures. Crucial link in the ecological chain turns out to be earthworms. The main management measures are therefore the application of either wet nature management types (such as marsh, reed, moist forests, etc.) that limit the growth of earthworms, or rough/rising types (ruigs and dense vegetation) that prevent the catching of the earthworms by other animals. Management types with grazing or hayland are not desirable.