Soil Science Workshop: It was good to get insight into issues and questions that participants are interested to find out more about
In June, the Soil Sciences WG had its first major event, a workshop spanning two days and gathering more than 50 participants.
The aim of the workshop was to push the research frontier in the most pressing questions in soil sciences: such as connecting biotic and abiotic processes, soil organic matter dynamics, and utilizing X-ray and neutron sources to answer these questions. Another aim was to provide basic knowledge about different X-ray and neutron imaging techniques, comparing pros and cons of the different approaches.
– We wanted to invite people who work with different aspects of soil to cover as many angles and techniques as possible. One goal was to establish a network between international soil scientists and beamline scientists, say Edith Hammer and Milda Pucetaite, members of the Soil Sciences WG.
As part of the workshop, four discussion groups were hosted: a newbie group, a nano- to micro-spectroscopic imaging group, a bulk spectroscopy group, and a X-ray/neutron tomographic imaging group.
– It was good to get insight into issues and questions that participants are interested to find out more about. The variety of points brought up in the discussions highlight how big the interest in the area is.
Two areas which received a lot of attention were sample preparation and data analysis, and complementary use of different techiques.
– We think it was very useful for the people who attended the workshop to hear from experts about the importance of sample preparation in relation to experiments; are they compatible with beamline hardware? Talking to beamline scientists about the study before you apply for beam time is also important, as well as the need for you as a scientist to have thorough knowledge about your sample, maybe even using conventional techniques before you go further.
– Use of complementary techniques were also a major discussion point throughout the workshop, and something which all the speakers highlighted in their talks. It is very seldom that you can solve your questions with only one technique. Again, we think it is good that this is stressed, even though some scientists may feel that you have to have loads of technical expertise.
Edith Hammer and Milda Pucetaite see much potential for scientific development of soil science questions with the help of X-ray and neutron techniques. Especially in the field of physical stabilization of soil carbon, microplastics in soil, and microsite conditions for biogeochemical processes including the fate of toxins.
– But, it is also clear that we need to focus on education and training in how to use the techniques, and especially in how to use a range of different techniques. This is where we think that LINXS and us as a WG can help: by bringing scientist and experts together so that they can form connections and expand their knowledge.
All of the members in the WG are satisfied with the workshop:
– We are happy with how the event went. Everyone seemed really keen in participating in discussions and making new connections. We have heard some feedback as well, about how excited people are about the new facilities in Lund, MAX IV and ESS, and the very cool science that they will be able to (and already does) produce.
The workshop was the first step to reach out to the wider community and to make new collaborations.
– Next on our list is to organise more events – workshops and smaller meetings – to address more specific scientific interests of the soil science community in using X-ray and neutron imaging techniques in their research, conclude Edith Hammer and Milda Pucetaite.
Voices from the Workshop
Aurora Patchett, Gothenburg University,
“I’m only at the start of my PhD. I’m trying to define what methods to use. For me, it was useful to hear about the different applications since I work in a field setting where I use large soil samples, for example, biological soil crust. During the workshop, I met with people who are working on the same things as me, so I can see that there is room for collaboration.”
Emanuel Larsson, RISE
“I’m a tomography expert. I work with both neutrons and x-rays. The samples I see in my work range from food, to metals, to wound care dressings, but also soil sciences. The application doesn’t actually matter. The techniques used to detect things in soil sciences can be transferred to other areas. For me, being at the workshop is about picking up ideas to see how I can use them in my overall work. I can see many similarities, for example, you can study the uptake of water in both plants and wound care dressings with neutron imaging.”
