Variability of Soil Health Status Using X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

Soil health is a complex concept that includes the biological, physical, chemical properties of soil on long term such as to ensure sustainable productivity with reduced impact on the environment. Detail analysis depends on the targeted information and can be performed by a wide range of methods from simple observational status of the soil up to specifically measure some properties. The acquired information is used to establish the present status of the soil for predicting the behaviour in sustainable agricultural systems. In this work we focused on studying the properties of soil (e.g., organic compounds, mineral composition, trace elements) based on using two non-invasive fast obtaining results methods: X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Based on these analyses we were able to monitor some properties of the soil at different horizons in the studied area, and make recommendations for soil management such as to increase the sustainable management of the soil.