Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/acs.est.2c07340
Document accepted manuscript
Title (Primary) Correlative imaging of the rhizosphere ─ A multimethod workflow for targeted mapping of chemical gradients
Author Lippold, E.; Schlüter, S.; Mueller, C.W.; Höschen, C.; Harrington, G.; Kilian, R.; Gocke, M.i.; Lehndorff, E.; Mikutta, R.; Vetterlein, D.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 2023
Department BOSYS
Volume 57
Issue 3
Page From 1538
Page To 1549
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords X-ray computed tomography; micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy; nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry; laser-ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry; distance maps; 2D−3D registration; Zea mays L.
Abstract Examining in situ processes in the soil rhizosphere requires spatial information on physical and chemical properties under undisturbed conditions. We developed a correlative imaging workflow for targeted sampling of roots in their three-dimensional (3D) context and assessed the imprint of roots on chemical properties of the root–soil contact zone at micrometer to millimeter scale. Maize (Zea mays) was grown in 15N-labeled soil columns and pulse-labeled with 13CO2 to visualize the spatial distribution of carbon inputs and nitrogen uptake together with the redistribution of other elements. Soil columns were scanned by X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) at low resolution (45 μm) to enable image-guided subsampling of specific root segments. Resin-embedded subsamples were then analyzed by X-ray CT at high resolution (10 μm) for their 3D structure and chemical gradients around roots using micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF), nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), and laser-ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LA-IRMS). Concentration gradients, particularly of calcium and sulfur, with different spatial extents could be identified by μXRF. NanoSIMS and LA-IRMS detected the release of 13C into soil up to a distance of 100 μm from the root surface, whereas 15N accumulated preferentially in the root cells. We conclude that combining targeted sampling of the soil–root system and correlative microscopy opens new avenues for unraveling rhizosphere processes in situ.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=24357
Lippold, E., Schlüter, S., Mueller, C.W., Höschen, C., Harrington, G., Kilian, R., Gocke, M.i., Lehndorff, E., Mikutta, R., Vetterlein, D. (2023):
Correlative imaging of the rhizosphere ─ A multimethod workflow for targeted mapping of chemical gradients
Environ. Sci. Technol. 57 (3), 1538 - 1549 10.1021/acs.est.2c07340