Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It is based on the principle that molecular vibrations and electronic transitions associated with soil constituents absorb light while interacting with radiation. For the first time since the discovery of this technology, institutions and experts from around the world are now joining efforts to use this technology to support decision making on soil protection globally.
With the support of its partners, GLOSOLAN aims:
- To support the development of all types of soil spectroscopy at national, regional, and global levels. To achieve this objective, this initiative will be supervised by a group of experienced scientists to ensure that all activities are science based.
- To support countries in establishing their own soil spectral laboratories and national soil spectral libraries with standardized methods and decentralized estimation services. To achieve this objective, GLOSOLAN will be using a country-driven approach and invest in capacity building activities at the national or regional level.
- To continuously support the development of the global spectral estimation services by encouraging countries to share part of existing national soil spectral libraries on a voluntary basis.
- To support the development of standards and protocols for soil spectroscopy, including but not limited to soil sample preparation, measurement protocols, quality assurance, and data analysis and modelling.
Why invest in soil spectroscopy?
Why invest in soil spectroscopy?
Soil spectroscopy is a method that has the potential of more rapidly and cost-effectively measuring soil properties in the lab and in the field. Soil spectral analysis estimates soil properties by calibrating conventional reference measurements, like wet chemistry soil tests, to the spectral signatures. The potential of spectral technology in soil mapping and monitoring is tremendous as it is fast, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, nondestructive, reproducible and repeatable. Numerous soil properties can be directly calibrated to near- and mid-infrared spectra (MIR) due to the fact that spectral signatures respond to soil mineral and organic composition.
Why is GLOSOLAN investing in soil spectroscopy?
Why is GLOSOLAN investing in soil spectroscopy?
By recognizing the potential of spectral technology in soil analysis and soil mapping and monitoring, GLOSOLAN aims to address the constraints that still hamper the wider uptake of this technology. Major constraints include (1) the lack of standards and protocols to ensure compatible spectral measurements across laboratories, (2) the lack of calibrated spectral libraries for different soil types and geographies, and (3) the lack of capacity of conventional soil laboratories in spectral methods.
Who is leading the working group on soil spectroscopy?
Who is leading the working group on soil spectroscopy?
The GLOSOLAN Initiative on Soil Spectroscopy (GLOSOLAN-Spec) is led by the GLOSOLAN-Spec Chair that works in coordination with the GLOSOLAN Chair, the GLOSOLAN vice-Chair, and the GLOSOLAN Coordinators at the Global Soil Partnership. The GLOSOLAN-Spec Chair is supported by a Steering Committee. Terms of Reference for these positions available here.
2021-2023
GLOSOLAN-Spec Chair: Eyal ben Dor, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Steering Committee:
- Bo Stenberg (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden)
- Cecile Gomez (French Research Institute for Sustainable Development, France & India)
- José Alexandre M. Demattê (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
- Leigh Winowiecki (ICRAF, Kenya)
- Rapheal Viscarra Rossel (Curtin University, Australia)
- Sabine Chabrillat (Leibniz University Hannover and GFZ Potsdam, Germany)
- Yufeng Ge (University of Nebraska, USA)
- Zhou Shi (Zhejiang University, China)
Can I join the GLOSOLAN working group on soil spectroscopy?
Can I join the GLOSOLAN working group on soil spectroscopy?
We are a network of experts and institutions working on a common objective. Everybody with experience in spectroscopy technology is welcome to join our team. To become a member of our working group please send an email to [email protected] and [email protected]. In your email, please tell us a bit about you and your experience in soil spectroscopy.
In order to avoid spamming, working group members are contacted any time an activity relevant to their experience is implemented.
Please note that you do not need to become a member of the working group in order to be kept informed on GLOSOLAN’s activities on soil spectroscopy. All laboratories registered in GLOSOLAN are kept informed on the work and main achievements of the working group. See How can I register my laboratory in GLOSOLAN
Terms of reference of the GLOSOLAN’s Technical Working Group on Soil Spectroscopy
AR | CH | EN | FR | RU | ES
I do not have experience in soil spectroscopy but I would like to build my capacities on it, how can I do?
I do not have experience in soil spectroscopy but I would like to build my capacities on it, how can I do?
Please register your laboratory in GLOSOLAN in order to be kept informed on activities and capacity building opportunities in soil spectroscopy. See How can I register my laboratory in GLOSOLAN.
Terms of reference of the GLOSOLAN’s Technical Working Group on Soil Spectroscopy
AR | CH | EN | FR | RU | ES
Latest Stories
Innovation in understanding soils
Soil: it grows the food that nourishes us, provides us with space we live on and even helps protect and control our climate. But unfortunately, soils are under pressure. Population increases, higher demands for food and changing land uses have degraded around 33 percent of our global soils. Now, we need innovative solutions to ensure we can protect them.
The International Capacity Development Group on Soil Spectroscopy (SoilSpecNet)
During the second GLOSOLAN-Spec Plenary Meeting in 2021, GLOSOLAN-Spec was tasked to collect and publish detailed information of advanced soil spectroscopy institutions and laboratories in relation to their capacities, research interests, joint projects, and scholarship opportunities. Based this information, countries will be able to find suitable partners for further spectroscopy development within their countries and regions in a more efficient manner. GLOSOLAN-Spec refers to this advanced soil spectroscopy institutions and laboratories group as SoilSpecNet.
Access the database
Job vacancies
Are you opening any new vacancy? Let us know, we will inform our GLOSOLAN members about it!
Main events
Third plenary meeting on spectroscopy
Virtual | 15-17 November 2022
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It is based on the principle that molecular vibrations..
Second plenary meeting on spectroscopy
Virtual | 2-4 November 2021
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It is based on the principle that molecular vibrations..
First plenary meeting on spectroscopy
Virtual | 23 - 25 September 2020
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It is based on the principle that molecular vibrations..
Inception meeting of the GLOSOLAN’s initiative on spectroscopy
Lincoln, USA | 6 - 8 November 2019
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is rapidly being taken up as a rapid, low cost and high reproducible method for soil analysis..
