Journal article 935 views 292 downloads
Correlative Microscopy: a tool for understanding soil weathering in modern analogues of early terrestrial biospheres
,
Pete Davies,
P. Kenrick,
T. Volkenandt,
Cameron Pleydell-Pearce,
Richard Johnston
Scientific Reports, Volume: 11, Issue: 1
Swansea University Authors:
Ria Mitchell , Pete Davies, Cameron Pleydell-Pearce, Richard Johnston
-
PDF | Version of Record
© The Author(s) 2021. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Download (4.99MB)
DOI (Published version): 10.1038/s41598-021-92184-1
Abstract
Correlative imaging provides a method of investigating complex systems by combining analytical (chemistry) and imaging (tomography) information across dimensions (2D-3D) and scales (centimetres-nanometres). We studied weathering processes in a modern cryptogamic ground cover from Iceland, containing...
| Published in: | Scientific Reports |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |
| Published: |
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
2021
|
| Online Access: |
Check full text
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57196 |
| Abstract: |
Correlative imaging provides a method of investigating complex systems by combining analytical (chemistry) and imaging (tomography) information across dimensions (2D-3D) and scales (centimetres-nanometres). We studied weathering processes in a modern cryptogamic ground cover from Iceland, containing early colonizing, and evolutionary ancient, communities of mosses, lichens, fungi, and bacteria. Targeted multi-scale X-ray Microscopy of a grain in-situ within a soil core revealed networks of surficial and internal features (tunnels) originating from organic-rich surface holes. Further targeted 2D grain characterisation by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), following an intermediate manual correlative preparation step, revealed Fe-rich nodules within the tunnels. Finally, nanotomographic imaging by focussed ion beam microscopy (FIB-SEM) revealed coccoid and filamentous-like structures within subsurface tunnels, as well as accumulations of Fe and S in grain surface crusts, which may represent a biological rock varnish/glaze. We attribute these features to biological processes. This work highlights the advantages and novelty of the correlative imaging approach, across scales, dimensions, and modes, to investigate biological weathering processes. Further, we demonstrate correlative microscopy as a means of identifying fingerprints of biological communities, which could be used in the geologic rock record and on extra-terrestrial bodies. |
|---|---|
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Authors acknowledge AIM Facility funding in part from EPSRC (EP/M028267/1), the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government (80708), the Ser Solar project via Welsh Government, a Welsh Government Enhanced Competitiveness Infrastructure Award, and from Carl Zeiss Microscopy. Use of Sheffield Tomography Centre (STC) computer facilities is supported by EPSRC (EP/T006390/1). |
| Issue: |
1 |