NCR174: Synchrotron X-Ray Sources in Soil Science Research (NCR-174)
Statement of Issues and Justification
Human activity-agricultural, industrial, and military-often introduces potentially toxic concentrations of trace elements into soils. The cycling through and storage of carbon and nutrient elements in soils impact the climate and ecosystem processes. Understanding how both naturally-occurring and human-introduced elements are released by the soil, taken up by the plants, and move through the food chain is an important part of American agriculture's ability to provide a safe, nutritious, and abundant food supply, while maintaining or improving soil and environmental quality.
New experimental techniques made possible by synchrotron x-ray sources have ushered in a new era of agricultural and environmental research, allowing scientists to understand the chemistry of dilute elements in the environment. Synchrotrons are large accelerators that produce x-ray beams more than a billion times more powerful than conventional laboratory x-ray sources. Compared to conventional analytical procedures, synchrotrons allow us to analyze smaller samples with greater sensitivity, obtain higher quality data at better spatial resolutions, analyze samples under natural conditions, and utilize techniques which are only available at synchrotron sources. Unlike most instruments, synchrotrons function as national research facilities. NCR-174 plays an important role in facilitating access by agricultural scientists to this research instrumentation.
The soil and environmental scientists of NCR-174 have identified the following applications of synchrotron-based techniques focused on the theme of identifying the chemical form, concentration, and spatial distribution of trace elements, nutrients and carbon in soils, plants, and waste forms.
Chemistry of Toxic Elements in Soils and Plants. Applications: Design of cost effective, yet environmentally sound remediation procedures for contaminated sites, as well as sound disposal and beneficial use of sewage sludge, wood preservatives, fly ash, and other wastes. Develop recommendations for use of soils having naturally elevated concentrations of toxic elements such as selenium, arsenic or actinides. Evaluate the location and chemical form of contaminants in hyperaccumulators so as to understand mechanisms of detoxification and to develop proper management and disposal strategies of accumulated biomass.
Trace Elements in Plant Diseases. Applications: Improved control of soil-borne diseases of major crops such as wheat, rice, and forest trees. Provide an important link between plant biotechnology and soil science research.
Nutrient Chemistry of Soils. Applications: Improved soil-test procedures for potassium and phosphorus; identification of phosphorus forms in biosolids; improve application efficiency and cost effectiveness of these major nutrients by precision farming technology.
Mechanisms of Wood Decay and Metal-based Wood Preservatives. Applications: Improve strategies for the preservation of wood. Increase efficiency and decrease volume of copper-chromium-arsenic-based chemicals used to preserve wood; design methods for recycling preservative-treated wood.
Carbon Cycling in Soils and Peatlands. Applications: Improve methods for quantifying carbon turnover from original plant materials into humified products.
See attached for Additional Justification
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