This Is What Happens When 1,000 People Bury Their Underwear for Science
SMRTR summary
Buried underwear might be the future of soil science. Researchers at the University of Zurich recruited more than 1,000 citizen scientists across Switzerland, mailing each of them two pairs of cotton underwear, a dozen teabags, and instructions to bury them in different locations for up to 60 days.
The idea was surprisingly effective. By measuring how much of the fabric decomposed, scientists could gauge how biologically active the soil was. Private gardens showed the highest rates, with 58 percent of cotton gone after two months. Lawns decomposed far less.
"Healthy, biologically active soil is crucial for fertility, nutrient cycling, and many other ecosystem services," said study co-leader Marcel van der Heijden.
The researchers call this the "underwear index," and say it makes soil health easy to interpret and genuinely engaging for the public. As for the tattered remnants once the science was done, someone turned them into a dress.
SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Nautilus.
Read the original article