Description:
Traditionally, time-consuming lab-centered routines that are based on raster sampling and wet chemical analysis are utilized for a comprehensive physicochemical soil analysis. However, these methods are time consuming and highly expensive and, thus, not practical nor convenient for the mapping of soil properties over large areas.
The disclosed technology solves this issue by proposing a prototype that will merge data from both the Portable X-Ray Fluorescence and the Visible Near Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (henceforth referred to as PXRF and VisNIR DRS, respectively), thus allowing for a rapid, in-situ soil analysis and characterization.
Reference Number: D-1074
Market Applications:
The technology allows for rapid soil analysis and can therefore be applied in the following fields:
- Regulatory Agencies (Environmental Protection Agency, State Commissions on Environmental Quality)
- Environmental Remediation
- Soil Science / Agronomy
- Crop Science
- Oil & Hydrocarbon Exploration
Features, Benefits & Advantages:
This technology merges data from both Visible Near Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (VisNIR DRS) (350-2500 nm) with data from Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (PXRF) into proprietary algorithms for rapid, on-site characterization of soil chemical and physical parameters. This is a dual VisNIR/PXRF sensor system which integrates data seamlessly on-site using both data sets for optimized predictions of soil properties.
- Rapid, less expensive, in-situ soil analysis and characterization
- Allows for soil analysis of large tracts with qualitative and quantitative information characteristics
- Enables soil scientists and remediation experts to access sample data in real-time allowing for instant feedback
Intellectual Property:
A provisional patent, 62/013,692 was filed on 06/18/2014. A PCT application was filed on 06/18/2015.
Development Stage:
The technology has been reduced to practice with excellent results. This is part of an ongoing research project and additional enhancements to optimize the integration of the data sets will continue.
Researchers:
David Weindorf, Department of Plant and Soil Science Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Somsubhra Chakraborty, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Kolkata, India
Publications:
Wang, D.D., S. Chakraborty, D.C. Weindorf, B. Li, A. Sharma, S. Paul, and M. Nasim Ali. 2015. Synthesized proximal sensing for soil characterization: Total carbon and total nitrogen. Geoderma 243-244 (2015) 157- 167
Key Words:
X-ray Fluorescence , Near Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, PXRF, Soil Physicochemical Analysis