Photo of the Week: Mobile Inelastic Neutron Scattering Soil Mapping Technology

The Photo of the Week visually showcases the exciting work federal labs do every day! 

About this photo:

Developing practices to increase sequestration of soil carbon could substantially reduce atmospheric CO2 and reduce climate change impacts on the world. Researchers at USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory developed a neutron/gamma analysis system to accurately measure soil carbon content over large areas. The system can scan soil while quicly moving and then produce carbon distribution maps across a landscape. The technology has been licensed by Carbon Assets Solutions as a soil carbon sequestration validation tool for the carbon trading market.

About the federal lab:

The mission of the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory is to develop economically and environmentally sustainable agricultural production systems. In addition to developing conservation crop production systems, the laboratory develops tools and methodologies to mitigate climate change impacts on agriculture and to reduce greenhouse gas emission from agriculture systems.

Photo credit: Daniel Donner, Director, Carbon Asset Solutions