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Preliminary observations of soil organic layers using a compact MRI for non-destructive analysis of internal soil structure

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Ecological Research

Abstract

Soil organic layer samples of two different forest types were observed using compact MRI to visualize internal structure and clarify physical properties of forest soil. Soil pores and organic materials were distinguished by differences in proton mobility and visualized with a spatial resolution of 234 µm. Soil pore ratios and water mobility were calculated by image processing, and their differences between the two forest soils were detected. Our results suggest that compact MRI has potential for non-destructive analysis of soil physical properties and is expected to have significant applications in ecological studies.

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Acknowledgments

We thank members of the Laboratory for Environmental Ecology, Waseda University, for their assistance in field sampling and constructive discussions. This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellows.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8480, Japan

    Mitsutoshi Tomotsune

  2. Takayama Field Station, River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 919-47 Iwaicho, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0815, Japan

    Shinpei Yoshitake

  3. Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8480, Japan

    Rina Masuda

  4. Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8480, Japan

    Hiroshi Koizumi

Authors
  1. Mitsutoshi Tomotsune
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  2. Shinpei Yoshitake
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  3. Rina Masuda
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  4. Hiroshi Koizumi
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Correspondence to Mitsutoshi Tomotsune.

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Tomotsune, M., Yoshitake, S., Masuda, R. et al. Preliminary observations of soil organic layers using a compact MRI for non-destructive analysis of internal soil structure. Ecol Res 30, 303–310 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1242-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1242-x

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