“ISOprint” - Development of “Diffusive Gradient in Thin Films (DGT) – multi-collector ICP-MS techniques” for location-specific isotopic fingerprinting of S, Sr and Pb in soils as a tool for the provenance determination of primary agricultural products
Abstract
The aim of this project is to develop a technique for sampling the biologically available (bioavailable) fraction of sulfur (S), strontium (Sr) and lead (Pb) from soils. Subsequently, the isotopic composition of these elements will analyzed. The motivation behind is that a site-specific variation of isotopic composition of S, Sr and Pb in soil can act as specific fingerprint. This fingerprint is mirrored in plants growing on this soil. The isotopic difference can be caused by variations in the geology, by natural processes (e.g. microbial activities) or by anthropogenic activities (e.g. by combustion of fossil fuels containing S or petrol containing Pb). Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) represent an efficient passive sampling technique. DGT takes up elements from soil in the same way plants do, simply by diffusion. In this (bioavailable) fraction, the isotopic composition of the investigated elements will be analyzed by a dedicated mass spectrometer. Within this project, we want to develop a novel technique, which • enables to take up S, Sr and Pb from soil without causing any change in the isotopic composition of these elements. • takes up the part of S, Sr and Pb, which would be taken up by plants (bioavailable fraction) and the isotopic composition of these elements taken up by DGT from soil equals to that of plants grown on the same soil. • allows for the establishment of a direct link of the chemical information stored in soils to the information found in primary agricultural products and therefore allows for provenancing. For the first time, the bioavailable chemical isotopic information is assessed directly. Within this project, new binding layers for S and Sr will be developed making use of the expertise of the collaborating company, which provides an expertise on novel resin materials. The results of this findings will be compared to greenhouse and field experiments. The goal of this approach is that we will be able to determine the site-specific isotopic signal and use it to investigate the origin of agricultural products by comparing their isotopic composition with the bioavailable fraction found in soil.
keywords Ososcape DGT Food provenance bioavailability
Publikationen
Project staff
Thomas Prohaska
Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Thomas Prohaska
thomas.prohaska@boku.ac.at
Project Leader
01.10.2017 - 30.09.2020