TY - CHAP

T1 - Advances in the analysis of biogeochemical interfaces. Nanosims to investigate soil microenvironments

AU - Mueller, Carsten W.

AU - Weber, Peter K.

AU - Kilburn, Matt R.

AU - Hoeschen, Carmen

AU - Kleber, Markus

AU - Pett-Ridge, Jennifer

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - Since a NanoSIMS high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instrument was first used for cosmochemistry investigations over a decade ago, both interest in NanoSIMS and the number of instruments available have significantly increased. However, SIMS comes with a set of challenges that are of both technical and conceptual nature, particularly for complex samples such as soils. Here, we synthesize existing research and provide conceptual and technical guidance to those who wish to investigate soil processes at the submicron scale using SIMS, specifically with NanoSIMS. Our review not only offers advice resulting from our own operational experience but also intends to promote synergistic research on yet unresolved methodological issues. We identify and describe the basic setup of a NanoSIMS instrument, and important issues that may arise as a soil sample specimen are prepared for NanoSIMS analysis. This is complemented by discussions of experimental design, data analysis, and data representation. Next to experimental design, sample preparation is the most crucial prerequisite for successful NanoSIMS analyses. We discuss the requirements and limitations for sample preparation over the size range from individual soil particles to intact soil structures such as macroaggregates or intact soil cores. For robust interpretation of data obtained by NanoSIMS, parallel spatial, textural (scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy), or compositional analyses (scanning transmission X-ray microscopy) are often necessary to provide necessary context. We suggest that NanoSIMS analysis is most valuable when applied in concert with other analytical procedures and can provide powerful inference about small-scale processes that can be traced via isotopic labeling or elemental mapping.

AB - Since a NanoSIMS high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instrument was first used for cosmochemistry investigations over a decade ago, both interest in NanoSIMS and the number of instruments available have significantly increased. However, SIMS comes with a set of challenges that are of both technical and conceptual nature, particularly for complex samples such as soils. Here, we synthesize existing research and provide conceptual and technical guidance to those who wish to investigate soil processes at the submicron scale using SIMS, specifically with NanoSIMS. Our review not only offers advice resulting from our own operational experience but also intends to promote synergistic research on yet unresolved methodological issues. We identify and describe the basic setup of a NanoSIMS instrument, and important issues that may arise as a soil sample specimen are prepared for NanoSIMS analysis. This is complemented by discussions of experimental design, data analysis, and data representation. Next to experimental design, sample preparation is the most crucial prerequisite for successful NanoSIMS analyses. We discuss the requirements and limitations for sample preparation over the size range from individual soil particles to intact soil structures such as macroaggregates or intact soil cores. For robust interpretation of data obtained by NanoSIMS, parallel spatial, textural (scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy), or compositional analyses (scanning transmission X-ray microscopy) are often necessary to provide necessary context. We suggest that NanoSIMS analysis is most valuable when applied in concert with other analytical procedures and can provide powerful inference about small-scale processes that can be traced via isotopic labeling or elemental mapping.

KW - Fluorescent in situ hybridization

KW - Isotopic enrichment

KW - Microaggregates

KW - Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectrometry

KW - Organo-mineral associations

KW - Rhizosphere

KW - Scanning electron microscopy

KW - Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy

KW - Secondary ion mass spectrometry

KW - Transmission electron microscopy

U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-12-407685-3.00001-3

DO - 10.1016/B978-0-12-407685-3.00001-3

M3 - Book chapter

AN - SCOPUS:84879257042

T3 - Advances in Agronomy

SP - 1

EP - 46

BT - Advances in Agronomy

PB - Academic Press

ER -