Peth, S., A.J.M. Smucker, and R. Horn.
Presented at the All Scientist Poster Reception (2006-05-09 )
Soil microorganisms and plant roots exist and function in an environment subject to physical constraints and regulated by biophysical and biogeochemical processes. Stable soil aggregates preserve intra-aggregate porosities and conserve pore connectivities during natural wetting and drying cycles. A suite of micro-imaging algorithms from Lindquist et al. (2000) was used to develop 3D visualization of pore space characteristics within soil volumes. We investigated macro- and micro-pore network connectivities within individual aggregates and other soil volumes. The nondestructive x-ray computed micro-tomography (CMT) imaging, currently at pore size resolutions of ~ 5mm, is a new method for identifying spatial variability within soil microsites and concentric layers of soil aggregates. CMT can be used to make comparisons between internal pore geometries with permeability, ion flux, carbon sequestration and many additional soil water flow properties which control the biological, chemical and physical properties within soil volumes.
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