Quantitative mapping and spectroscopic characterization of particulate organic matter fractions in soil profiles with imaging VisNIR spectroscopy

Organic matter is an important constituent of soils that controls many soil functions and is of vital importance for ecosystem services like climate regulation and food security. Soil organic matter (SOM consists of a wide spectrum of different organic substances that are highly heterogeneous in terms of chemical composition, stability against microbial decomposition and turnover time. SOM is heterogeneously distributed in the soil profile impeding its fast assessment. A technique to accurately measure SOM quality and quantity with a high spatial resolution in the soil profile is presently lacking. Imaging visible light and near infrared spectroscopy (imVisIR) is a promising technique for the fast and spatially resolved assessment of SOM quality and quantity. In this study, we evaluate the potential of imVisIR to quantitatively map the labile particulate organic matter fraction in undisturbed cores from mineral soils.

Automated summary

Organic matter is crucial for soil functions and ecosystem services, but its heterogeneous distribution in the soil profile makes assessment challenging. The current lack of a technique to accurately measure soil organic matter quality and quantity with high spatial resolution hinders research progress. Imagining visible light and near infrared spectroscopy shows promise for this purpose.