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; and
• 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.