quantification of soil organic carbon

This research will address the direct quantification of soil organic carbon from the soils hyperspectral signature

anticipating the arrival of the next generation of hyperspectral satellites (e.g. Chime, EnMap). The developed knowledge

will contribute to overcome a major obstacle for the implementation of regenerating practices, which is the lack of cost effective, robust and scalable tools to quantify SOC for carbon offsetting. While spectroradiometer-based methods for quantifying SOC under controlled laboratory conditions are well established, this research will focus on their transfer and application to real field conditions.

For this purpose, the research questions will focus on the determination of soil spectral features minimally affected by variable environmental conditions such as soil moisture, surface roughness or crop residues and on modelling the relationship of these features to SOC. The model will then be adapted to the available spectral bands in existing and future missions, and their performance tested.