Laser-based spectroscopic methods to evaluate the humification degree of soil organic matter in whole soils: a review

• Published in: Journal of soils and sediments 2018-04, Vol.18 (4), p.1292-1302
• Main Authors: Senesi, Giorgio S., Martin-Neto, Ladislau, Villas-Boas, Paulino Ribeiro, Nicolodelli, Gustavo, Milori, Débora M. B. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical methods; Argon; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Physics; Evaluation; Fluorescence; Fluorescence spectroscopy; Function and Fate in the Environment; Humification; Land use; Land use management; Laser applications; Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy; Laser induced fluorescence; Lasers; Natural Organic Matter: Chemistry; Neodymium lasers; Organic matter; Organic soils; Portable equipment; Procedures; Semiconductor lasers; Soil; Soil organic matter; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; Spectra; Spectral emittance; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; Surveying; Ultraviolet radiation; YAG lasers
• ISSN: 1439-0108; 1614-7480
• DOI: 10.1007/s11368-016-1539-6

Purpose The objective of this review is to survey critically the results obtained by the application of laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to the evaluation of the humification degree (HD) of soil organic matter (SOM) directly in untreated, intact whole soils. Materials and methods A large number of soils of various origin and nature, either native or under various cultivations, land use, and management, at various depths, have been studied to evaluate the HD of their SOM directly in intact whole samples. The LIFS spectra were obtained by either a bench or a portable argon laser apparatus that emits UV-VIS light of high power, whereas the LIBS spectra were obtained using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm. Results and discussion The close correlations found by comparing H LIF values of whole soil samples with values of earlier proposed humification indexes confirmed the applicability of LIFS to assess the HD of SOM in whole soils. The high correlation found between HD LIBS values and H LIF values showed the promising potential of LIBS for the evaluation HD of SOM. Conclusions The LIFS technique shows to be a valuable alternative to evaluate the HD of SOM by probing directly the whole solid soil sample, thus avoiding the use of any previous chemical and/or physical treatments or separation procedures of SOM from the mineral soil matrix. The emerging application of LIBS to evaluate the HD of SOM in whole soils appears promising and appealing due to its sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, and precision.