Canadian laboratory for X-ray CT of soil: scanner upgrade

土壤是其所在生态系统中复杂而动态的组成部分。土壤的许多性质和行为在空间（横向和垂直）和时间上都表现出相当大的变化。了解土壤变异性与控制土壤变异性的因素之间的关系，对于完善管理系统至关重要，以便尽量减少潜在的土壤退化，并指导土壤恢复。仪器的不断进步使我们能够获得关于完整土壤的越来越详细的信息;特别是，高分辨率X射线计算机断层扫描（CT）可以在微观层面上揭示各种土壤成分的复杂结构。这些信息为研究人员提供了开发计算机模型的机会，以帮助了解土壤的复杂功能，包括生物活动，从中可以预测环境条件和/或管理制度变化的影响。在加拿大创新新机会基金会和安大略创新信托基金的支持下，圭尔夫大学（2002年）建立了一个致力于土壤研究的微型CT实验室，这是加拿大唯一的实验室，也是世界上少数几个主要为土壤科学服务的实验室之一。因此，它吸引了全世界土壤研究人员和学生的注意，并已成为此类研究的节点。X射线源的翻新将产生全球唯一的成像系统。这将使圭尔夫大学，并通过扩展加拿大，保持在土壤X射线计算机断层扫描研究的国际前沿。

Soils are complex and dynamic components of the ecosystem in which they occur. The many properties and behavior of soil, can exhibit considerable variability in space (laterally and vertically) and over time. An understanding of the relation between soil variability, and the factors that control it, is fundamental to refining management systems, so as to minimize potential soil degradation, as well as guide soil rehabilitation. On-going advancements in instrumentation are allowing us to acquire increasingly-detailed information about intact soils; specifically, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) can reveal the intricate configuration of the various soil components at the microscopic level. This information provides the opportunity for researchers to develop computer models to help understand the complex functioning of soils, including biological activity, from which it may be possible to predict the impact of changes in environmental conditions and/or management regimes. Through support of the Canadian Foundation for Innovation-New Opportunities and the Ontario Innovation Trust, a microCT laboratory, dedicated to the study of soil, was established at the University of Guelph (in 2002) - it is the only one in Canada and among only a few in the world primarily at the service of soil science. Consequently, it has attracted the attention of soil researchers and students world-wide and has become a node for such research. The refurbishment of the X-ray source, will result in a globally unique imaging system. This will allow the University of Guelph, and by extension Canada, to remain in the international forefront of research in X-ray computed tomography of soils.