A thousand people buried their underpants in Switzerland for the sake of science. This is reported by DW❶❷.
"Volunteers buried about 2,000 pairs of snow-white cotton underpants all over Switzerland, and two months later they dug them up and sent them to scientists along with samples of the earth. With their help, researchers from the University of Zurich and the Agroscope Research Institute were able to obtain valuable data on soil quality and the activity of soil organisms," the note says.
As the analysis showed, the degree of decomposition of the underpants varied depending on the location. In one underwear, everything was in holes after two months, and only threads remained from some of the undergarments. The least amount of tissue remained from those buried in private gardens — the land contained the most organic substances there, and these are ideal conditions for earthworms, fungi, bacteria and other soil organisms. The least affected were the underpants buried on the lawns. The fields and meadows took the middle position.
However, too rotten underpants should be alarming, since this is not always evidence of healthy soil, noted Franz Bender from Agroscope. According to him, the strong decomposition of cotton in gardens may indicate the abuse of fertilizers.
The question of why it was necessary to bury the underpants — was it really impossible to do with a piece of cotton fabric, also did not remain unanswered.
It turns out that it was possible to do without an agrarian striptease. However, scientists deliberately chose such a funny object. They believe that without cowards, they most likely would not have been able to interest so many people.
"It's funny and at the same time it is an effective method of soil research," explained one of the leaders of the study, Marcel van der Heyden from the University of Zurich.
And, besides, the project is designed to draw attention to how important the quality of the earth is for humanity.
❶An organization performing the functions of a foreign agent
❷An organization whose activities are deemed undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation