Measuring Soil Carbon Quantity
and Stability Frequently Asked Questions
Can you describe your new tools for measuring soil carbon quantity and stability?
The new tools are portable devices with high potential to be applied in field. They use
the photonic techniques: Laser- induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laserinduced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS). The LIFS system was developed and patented
by EMBRAPA-Agricultural Instrumentation. EMBRAPA and CIP have tested the devices
in numerous agro-ecosystems of Brazil and southern Peru to confirm their accuracy,
reliability, and ease of use.
Are you planning on testing/using the device in other parts of the world?
Yes. CIP and EMBRAPA plan to continue to further validate and use the devices
in numerous regions, including parts of Africa and Asia. We are very interested in
collaborating with other researchers all over the world, producing joint publications,
and securing additional funding to further test and use the device and its applications.
Is the device available for public use?
Not yet. The current version is a prototype, and EMBRAPA is looking for businessmen or
investors to develop the device for commercial distribution.
I am a funder interested in supporting this work. Where are the funding
opportunities?
There are numerous important areas for further research and development. Funds are
needed:
1. To conduct further studies using the device in other regions and agroecosystems of
the world. We know that 31% of carbon emissions on earth are from agriculture and
that 88% could be reduced – including 74% in developing countries. Understanding
the content and stability of soil carbon in different agroecosystems and land use
environments is critical for developing targeted and effective strategies to mitigate
carbon emissions.
INTERNATIONAL POTATO CENTER
his piece is meant to respond to frequently asked questions regarding work
conducted by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and the
International Potato Center (CIP) on a new way to evaluate soil carbon quantity
and stability.
Where can I get more information about working with EMBRAPA/CIP or supporting this
valuable work?
For information regarding the research, application of the tool, and funding for further
research or training: Roberto Quiróz, [email protected]
For technical information: Débora Milori, [email protected] or Ladislau MartinNeto, [email protected].
For information about business models: Edilson Fragalle, [email protected] or
Carlos Pusinhol, [email protected].
Where can I learn more about the results of your work?
CIP and EMBRAPA also have two journal articles pending publication: one in the Soil Science
Society of America Journal and another in Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment.
Other sources include:
1. Segnini, A.; Posadas, A.; Quiróz, R.; Milori, D. M. B. P.; Martin-Neto, L.; Vaz, C.P.M. Comparative
assessment of soil carbon stocks in different agroecologies in Southern Peru.. In: 15 th
Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC), 2009, Lima
- Peru.
2. Segnini, A.; Posadas, A.; Quiróz, R.; Milori, D.M.B.P.; Vaz, C.M.P.; Martin-Neto, L. Evaluation of
soil carbon stocks in different native and cultivated areas in Southern Peru. International
Symposium on soil organic matter dynamics – land use, management and Global Change,
Colorado Springs, USA, 2009.
3. Segnini, A.; Posadas, A.; Quiróz, R.; Milori, D.M.B.P.; Saab, S.C.; Vaz, C.M.P.; Martin-Neto, L.
Avaliação do sistema fotônico portátil para estudos de sequestro de carbono de solos: um
estudo de caso nos Andes Peruanos. XXXII Congresso Brasileiro de Ciência do Solo, Fortaleza
– CE, 2009.
4. Segnini, A. ; Posadas, A. ; Roberto Quiróz ; Saab, S. C. ; Milori, D. M. B. P. ; Martin-Neto, L. ; Vaz,
C.P.M. Spectroscopic assessment of soil organic matter stability in peatlands from the high
Andes. In: ASA CSSA SSSA International Annual Meetings, 2009, Pittsburgh. ASA CSSA SSSA
International Annual Meetings, 2009.
5. Netto, O. G. ; Milori, D. M. B. P. ; Segnini, A ; Posadas, A. ; Martin Neto, Ladislau . Sistema
portátil de fluorescência induzida por laser para análise de matéria orgânica de solos e
compostos. In: VIII Encontro Brasileiro de Substâncias Húmicas, 2009, Pelotas. Anais do VIII
Encontro Brasileiro de Substâncias Húmicas. Pelotas : Embrapa Clima Temperado, 2009.
6. Milori, Débora Marcondes Bastos Pereira, Martin Neto, Ladislau, Bayer, Cimélio, Mielniczuk,
João, Bagnato, V S. Humification degree of soil humic acids determined by fluorescence
spectroscopy. Soil Science. , v.167, p.739 - 749, 2002.
7. Milori, D. M. B. P., Galeti, H V A, Martin Neto, Ladislau, Dieckow, J, González-Pérez, M, Bayer,
C, Salton, J. Organic Matter Study of Whole Soil Samples Using Laser-Induced Fluorescence
Spectroscopy. Soil Science Society of America Journal. , v.70, p.57 - 63, 2006.
8. Martin-Neto, L.; Milori, D.M.B.P. ; Da Silva, W.T.L.; Simoes, M. L. EPR, FTIR, Raman, UV-visible
light absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies in studies of humic substances. In: P.M.
Huang and N. Senesi (Org.). Biophysico-Chemical Processes in Environmental Systems. Wiley
/ IUPAC, 2009.
9. Dasilva, R, Milori, D, Ferreira, E, Ferreira, E, Krug, F, Martinneto, L. Total carbon measurement
in whole tropical soil sample. Spectrochimica Acta. Part B, Atomic Spectroscopy. v.63, p.1221
- 1224, 2008.
INTERNATIONAL POTATO CENTER
2. To develop the device for commercial use and distribution. Further refinements are needed
to increase the ease of use of the device.
3. To train others (e.g., communities, non-governmental organizations, public entities) and
produce training materials regarding how to take soil samples, read and interpret the results,
apply the findings, and other aspects of using the device effectively.
4. To further develop and implement strategies for using the soil carbon measures to increase
the stewardship of soil as a carbon sink; for example through a system of payment to farmers
for conserving grasslands and peatlands, or the application of farming methods that reduce
carbon emissions from the soil.
CONTACTS
Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina,
Apartado 1558, Lima 12, Peru
Fax: +511 317 5326 • Tel: +511 349 6017
email: [email protected] • www.cipotato.org