In-situ soil organic matter studies using scanning electron microscopy and low temperature ashing |
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Authors: | LA Sullivan AJ Koppi |
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Institution: | Department of Soil Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia |
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Abstract: | The in-situ distribution and morphology of organic materials located on, or near, structural surfaces within some soils is examined on a submicroscopic scale by comparing scanning electron microscope images of the same areas of soil samples before and after low temperature ashing. Electron-translucent organic matter coatings up to 1/2 μm thick, and thinner, electron-opaque organic matter coatings were found on structural surfaces within these soils. Oribatid faecal pellets in one of the soils were found to contain aluminosilicate clay minerals. Fine-clay sized spheres of biogenic opaline silica were found to be contained within the epidermis of a decaying root. These studies show that the combined use of low temperature ashing and scanning electron microscopy will be a valuable technique for in-situ investigations of submicroscopic organic matter within soils. |
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