ABSTRACT
Advanced methods of soil carbon analysis are required to provide measurements of soil carbon at levels of accuracy and precision relevant to carbon trading and climate change research. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) uses a laser to interrogate a small soil sample from within intact soil cores. This method of analysis takes only a few seconds to accomplish, is cost effective compared with conventional analysis methods, and can provide data on soil carbon distribution at 1mm resolution in soil cores. The method correlates well with conventional analyses of the same soils, and shows considerable promise as a cost-effective means to measure, monitor, and verify carbon sequestration in soils.
