Topsoil Information: What is Topsoil?


Nitrogen	Phosphorous	Magnesium
Required for the growth of leaves and stems, its deficiency causes weak, stunted growth and yellowing of older leaves. However, excess nitrogen can also be detrimental causing such effects as disproportionate leaf growth at the expense of other parts of the plant (e.g. flowers).	Principle nutrient for root growth and development, deficiencies may be seen through stunted root systems whilst the leaves on some plants may also exhibit a dull green or purple coloration.	A constituent of chlorophyll, the green pigment which enables plants to photosynthesise, magnesium deficiency may be noted by the interveinal yellowing of the plant’s older leaves.

Nitrogen

Phosphorous

Magnesium

Required for the growth of leaves and stems, its deficiency causes weak, stunted growth and yellowing of older leaves. However, excess nitrogen can also be detrimental causing such effects as disproportionate leaf growth at the expense of other parts of the plant (e.g. flowers).

Principle nutrient for root growth and development, deficiencies may be seen through stunted root systems whilst the leaves on some plants may also exhibit a dull green or purple coloration.

A constituent of chlorophyll, the green pigment which enables plants to photosynthesise, magnesium deficiency may be noted by the interveinal yellowing of the plant’s older leaves.

British Standard for topsoil‭ (‬BS3882:2015‭)‬

Topsoil is an important aspect of many civil engineering, public and private landscaping projects where it should support healthy plant growth.

There are two grades:

Multipurpose grade
This is a grade suited to most situations where topsoil is required.

Specific Purpose
This grade comprises characteristics appropriate for specialist applications, e.g. low fertility, acidic or alkaline.

The Standard gives up-to-date advice on correct soil sampling, handling, storage, subsoil preparation and depth of topsoil.

The Standard also draws attention for the need for potentially toxic elements analysis and to the possibility that Site Specific Assessment Criteria (SSAC) or Generic Assessment Criteria (GAC) might have been set for the intended recipient site.

Note 4 in table 1 of the standard references the Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) model (EA/DEFRA:2009) Soil Guidelines Values and Charted Institute of Environment Health (CIEH) / Land Quality Management (LQM) Generic assessment criteria for human health risk assessment.

Topsoil suppliers are required to provide a Declaration of Analysis to include:

Location of topsoil source
Previous and current land use for Natural Soils
Date of Sampling and Analysis
BS3882:2015 compliant topsoil must be sampled every 5000 cubic metres (8000t) traded
Test results including Contamination Parameters
Written confirmation of compliance with BS3882:2015.

All purchasers and users of topsoil should ask their topsoil supplier for a copy of the following:

BS3882:2015 Declaration of Analysis
Analysis Certificate
Sampling Protocol

Copies of BS3882:2015 are available from:

BSI Customer Services Department

Tel: (0845 086 9001)

Topsoil Information: What is Topsoil?

Nutrients

Nitrogen

Phosphorous

Magnesium

British Standard for topsoil‭ (‬BS3882:2015‭)‬

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