Mid-Infrared (MIR) Spectroscopy Project
We are investigating mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy as an alternative to laboratory analysis in determining key soil properties. This innovative technology is being used to rapidly collect high-quality spectral data from soil samples, allowing for the calibration of models to predict soil properties. Similarly to the United States Department of Agriculture soil survey program, we are using MIR to replace traditional laboratory analyses on soils from anywhere in Ontario!
Currently, we are working on analyzing 10,000 soil samples from across Ontario to apply MIR spectroscopy analysis to develop a library of spectral data or “spectra”. This spectral data and accompanying data from traditional laboratory analysis will be compared and used to calibrate and validate predictive models for several soil properties, including:
Soil Characteristics
- Bulk density
- Sand content
- Silt content
- Clay content
Chemical Components
- Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
- Inorganic Carbon (IC)
- total carbon (TC)
- Phosphorus
- Total nitrogen (TN)
Key Macronutrient Concentrations
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Potassium (K)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Sodium (Na)
Complex Soil Properties
- pH levels
- Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
- Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content
In the future, we plan to collect and analyze more soils from across Ontario for various projects! Stay tuned for results and future soil spectroscopy research coming out of our lab!
Steps from the field to the spectrometer!
Progress
As of March 2025, the team has plated and analyzed 177 plates which is just under 5500 soil samples.