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Dynamic oxygen mapping in the root zone by fluorescence dye imaging combined with neutron radiography

  • SPECTRO-MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL INTERFACES IN SOIL
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The rooted zone of a soil, more precisely the rhizosphere, is a very dynamic system. Some of the key processes are water uptake and root respiration. We have developed a novel method for measuring the real-time distribution of water and oxygen concentration in the rhizosphere as a biogeochemical interface in soil. This enables understanding where and when roots are active in respect to root respiration and water uptake and how the soil responds to it.

Materials and methods

We used glass containers (15 × 15 × 1 cm), which were filled with a quartz sand mixture. Sensor foils for fluorescence dye imaging of O2 were installed on the inner side of the containers. A lupine plant was grown in each container for 2 weeks under controlled conditions. Then we took time series of fluorescence images for time-lapsed visualization of oxygen depletion caused by root respiration. Changing water content was mapped in parallel by non-invasive neutron radiography, which yields water content distributions in high spatial resolution. Also it can detect the root system of the lupine plants. By this combined imaging of the samples, a range of water contents and different oxygen concentration levels, both induced by root activities, could be assessed.

Results and discussion

We monitored the dynamics of these vital parameters induced by roots during a period of several hours. We observed that for high water saturation, the oxygen concentration decreased in parts of the container. The accompanying neutron radiographies gave us the information that these locations are spatially correlated to roots. Therefore, it can be concluded that the observed oxygen deficits close to the roots result from root respiration and show up while re-aeration from atmosphere by gas phase transport is restricted by the high water saturation.

Conclusions

Our coupled imaging setup was able to monitor the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of oxygen and water content in a night and day cycle. This reflects complex plant activities such as photosynthesis, transpiration, and metabolic activities impacting the root–soil interface. Our experimental setup provides the possibility to non-invasively visualize these parameters with high resolution. The particular oxygen imaging method as well as the combination with simultaneously mapping the water content by neutron radiography is a novelty.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge funding from the DFG priority program 1315 “Biogeochemical interfaces in soil”, under contract OS 351/1-2, and the support from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, departments Hydrogeology and Soil Physics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany

    Nicole Rudolph, Hanna G. Esser & Sascha E. Oswald

  2. Department Hydrogeology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Permoser Str. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany

    Andrea Carminati

  3. Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Ahmad B. Moradi

  4. Helmholtz Centre Berlin—HZB, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109, Berlin, Germany

    André Hilger & Nikolay Kardjilov

  5. Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Stefan Nagl

Authors
  1. Nicole Rudolph
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  2. Hanna G. Esser
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  3. Andrea Carminati
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  4. Ahmad B. Moradi
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  5. André Hilger
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  6. Nikolay Kardjilov
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  7. Stefan Nagl
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  8. Sascha E. Oswald
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Correspondence to Nicole Rudolph.

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Responsible editor: Michael Kersten

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Rudolph, N., Esser, H.G., Carminati, A. et al. Dynamic oxygen mapping in the root zone by fluorescence dye imaging combined with neutron radiography. J Soils Sediments 12, 63–74 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-011-0407-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-011-0407-7

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