Research progress of nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) in soil science: Evolution, applications, and challenges

Qi Li; Jingjing Chang; Linfeng Li; Xiaoyang Lin; Yichun Li

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167257

Research progress of nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) in soil science: Evolution, applications, and challenges

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 20:905:167257. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167257. Epub 2023 Sep 21.

Authors

Qi Li¹, Jingjing Chang², Linfeng Li¹, Xiaoyang Lin¹, Yichun Li³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer in South Region, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nutrient Cycling and Farmland Conservation, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
² Key Laboratory for New Technology Research of Vegetable, Vegetable Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer in South Region, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nutrient Cycling and Farmland Conservation, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China. Electronic address: yichunli@gdaas.cn.

PMID: 37741415
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167257

Abstract

Nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) has emerged as a powerful analytical tool for investigating various aspects of soils. In recent decades, the widespread adoption of advanced instrumentation and methods has contributed significantly to our understanding of organic-mineral assemblages. However, few literature reviews have comprehensively summarized NanoSIMS and its evolution, applications, limitations, and integration with other analytical techniques. In this review, we addressed this gap by comprehensively overviewing the development of NanoSIMS as an analytical tool in soils. This review covers studies on soil organic matter (SOM) cycling, soil-root interactions, and the behavior of metals, discussing the capability and limitations related to the distribution, composition, and interactions of various soil components that occur at mineral-organic interfaces. Furthermore, we examine recent advancements in high-resolution imaging and mass spectrometry technologies and their impact on the utilization of NanoSIMS in soils, along with potential new applications such as utilizing multiple ion beams and integrating them with other analytical techniques. The review emphasizes the importance of employing advanced techniques and methods to explore micro-interfaces and provide in situ descriptions of organic-mineral assemblages in future research. The ongoing development and refinement of NanoSIMS may yield new insights and breakthroughs in soil science, deepening our understanding of the intricate relationships between soil components and the processes that govern soil health and fertility.

Keywords: Metal biogeochemical cycling; Mineral-organic interfaces; Multi-technology combinations; NanoSIMS; Soil organic matter cycling; Soil-root interactions.

Publication types

Review