MICRO SOIL WORKSHOP 2009
Micro Soil: Integrating Biological, Physical and Chemical techniques for the study of soil micro-habitats
In partnership with 
Dundee, 16th - 17th of September 2009
Download Book of Abstracts (revised 18.09.09) PDF.
There is increasing evidence that knowledge of the micro-environment of soils holds the key to a more precise prediction of soil ecosystem functioning. Current advances in techniques in physical (e.g. X-ray CT), chemical (e.g. micro-focus XRF or NANO-SIMS) and microbiological (e.g. FISH) sciences have significantly enhanced our ability to quantify the soils at increasingly smaller scales. The development of these modern techniques has evolved however within separate disciplines. This hampers a holistic approach to the soil system which requires a full integration of physical, biological and chemical methodologies. Perhaps more important, opportunities to apply these techniques simultaneously or combine them with the help of mathematical modelling and statistical techniques are being overlooked.
The aim of this workshop is to bring together current leaders in the field of modern physical, microbiological and chemical techniques that can quantify the soil micro-environment, together with modellers and statisticians to:
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(i) present the current state of quantitative techniques and sampling strategies for the soil microenvironment,
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(ii) identify the opportunities and innovations required to ensure a better integration of these techniques
Invited Speakers and Talk Abstracts:
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- Micro-CT/micro-XRF for 3D analysis of chemical composition,
Dr. P. Bruyndonckx, Skyscan, Belgium,
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- X-ray micro-tomography of soils,
Mr. A. Ramsey, Metris X-TEK, UK,
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- Atomic Force Microscopy for surface topography and bacterial attachment,
Dr. C. Wright, Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, Swansea University, UK,
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- Stable carbon isotope ratio measurements in soils by laser combustion,
Prof. T. Fallick, SUERC, UK,
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- The role of connectivity for flow and transport in soils quantified using neutron imaging,
Dr. P. Lehmann, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland,
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- Detection of microorganisms in soil using FISH and CARD FISH,
Dr. T. Eickhorst, Institute of Soil Science, University of Bremen, Germany,
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- Sampling bacteria at microhabitat scale,
Dr. P. Hirsch, Rothamsted Research, UK,
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- Integrating techniques: LB simulation (and NMR studies) of biofilm growth in porous media,
Dr. M. Johns, Cambridge University, UK,
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- Integrating techniques: Statistics and spatial heterogeneity,
Prof. M. Lark, Rothamsted Research, UK,
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- Integrating techniques: Modelling fungal community dynamics in heterogeneous soil,
Dr. R. Falconer, SIMBIOS, University of Abertay Dundee, UK.
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- Integrating techniques: Multi-element analyses in heterogeneous soils,
Dr. C. Wilson, SBES, University of Stirling, UK.
Scientific committee:
Prof. Philippe Baveye, University of Abertay DundeeDr. Dmitry Grinev, University of Abertay Dundee
Dr. Wilfred Otten, University of Abertay Dundee
Dr. Andrew Spiers, University of Abertay Dundee
Dr. Joanna Cloy, University of Edinburgh
Dr. Paul Hallet, Scottish Crop Research Institute
Dr. Clare Wilson, University of Stirling
Co-sponsors and supporting institutions:
University of Abertay Dundee, SAGES, BSSS, IUSS,SCRI, University of Stirling, University of Edinburgh.
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