A widely overlooked source of carbon (C) in the soil environment is organic C of geogenic origin, e.g. graphite. Appropriate methods are not available to quantity graphite and to differentiate it from other organic and inorganic C sources in soils. Therefore, we examined Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis and the smart combustion methods for their ability of identifying and quantifying graphitic C in soils. Smart combustion method showed most promising results.

Amazon soils hold as much carbon (C) as is contained in the vegetation. In this work we sampled soils across 8 different Amazonian countries trying to understand which soil properties control current Amazonian soil C concentrations. We confirm previous knowledge that highly developed soils hold C through clay content interactions but also show a previously unreported mechanism of soil C stabilization in the younger Amazonian soil types which hold C through aluminiun organic matter interactions.

The work has as contribution, to develop and to present results evidencing that the knowledge about spatial mapping of soil chemical attributes is essential for sampling efficiency and agricultural planning management, ensuring a regional development and sustainability of the unique characteristics of archaeological black earths (ABEs).

The use of non-invasive geophysical imaging of root system processes is of increasing interest to study soil-plant interactions. The experiment focused on the behaviour of grapevine plants during a controlled infiltration experiment. The combination of the Mise-à-la-masse (MALM) method, a variation of the classical electrical tomography map (ERT), for which the current is transmitted directly into the stem, holds the promise of being able to image root distribution.