Soils are essential for life. Soils provide anchorage for roots, hold water and essential nutrients, maintain the balance of atmospheric gases, are a habitat for several organisms and support biodiversity.
 
Past and current commercial and urban applications, agriculture and horticulture, mining and quarrying, construction and industrial activities, landfill and waste disposal activities, combined with poor environmental management plans and remediation strategies, can potentially result in land contamination issues.
 
No matter what the intended use of the land site may be, the composition and state of the soil is absolutely fundamental. Accordingly, soil testing and monitoring supported by quality results for more informed decision-making is essential.