Characterization of the burrow system of the earthworms Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea giardi using X-ray computed tomography and image analysis

Jégou, Danielle; Hallaire, Vincent; Cluzeau, Daniel; Trehen, P.

doi:10.1007/s003740050558

Cited by 53 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…A systematic evaluation of the influence of X-ray energy level on the relative attenuation of minerals commonly occurring in soils was presented by Heck and Elliot (2006); the results showed that the X-ray attenuation values of carbonates, gypsum, halite and apatite were more sensitive to changes in excitation voltage (80 to 120 keV) than those of the silicates. As indicated by the variety of X-ray energy Capowiez et al (1998Capowiez et al ( , 2000Capowiez et al ( , 2001Capowiez et al ( , 2003 CT Pace X-ray scanner-General Electric ( (Pierret et al 2002), erosions, dilations (2003) Prospeed SX Advantage, General Electric (2001 140 kV, 160 mA 0.4)0.4)3 resampled into 0.5)0.5 ) 0.5 (2003) Langmaack et al (1999,2002) Siemens Somatom Plus 80 kV, 135 mA 1)1)2 Joschko (1991) AVS Je´gou et al (1998Je´gou et al ( , 1999Je´gou et al ( , 2001Je´gou et al ( , 2002 Siemens Somatom Plus 120 kV, 165 mA Prospeed SX Power system, General Electric 120kV, 160 mA…”

Section: Mineral Constituentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite its non-destructive and non-invasive nature, X-ray CT has been used only in relatively few studies of the root system and soil interactions (Hainsworth and Aylmore 1983;Tollner et al 1987Tollner et al , 1994Grose et al 1996;Zwiggelaar et al 1997). More numerous are the investigations on the influence of earthworms on soil structure (Joschko et al 1991(Joschko et al , 1993Daniel et al 1997;Capowiez et al 1998Capowiez et al , 2000Capowiez et al , 2001Capowiez et al , 2003Je´gou et al 1998Je´gou et al , 1999Je´gou et al , 2000Je´gou et al , 2001Langmaack et al 1999Langmaack et al , 2002Francis et al 2001;Pierret et al 2002;Bastardie et al 2003).…”

Section: Characterization Of Soil Biotamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the X-ray CT analyses have been conducted in controllable environment conditions, without interaction with external physico-chemical or biological factors, on laboratory soil columns inoculated with earthworms (Joschko et al 1991(Joschko et al , 1993Je´gou et al 1998Je´gou et al , 1999Je´gou et al , 2000Je´gou et al , 2001Capowiez et al 2001Capowiez et al , 2003Francis et al 2001;Bastardie et al 2003). In particular, Joschko et al (1993) and Francis et al (2001) assessed the burrowing activity of the studied specimens by scanning the columns at different dates during the experiment.…”

Section: Earthworm Burrowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to their behaviour and ecological role in soil, earthworms have been classified into three main functional groups (Werner andBugg 1990, Bastardie et al 2002): endogeic (large unpigmented earthworms that dig sub-horizontal or randomly oriented burrows below the soil surface searching for areas rich in organic matter), anecic (pigmented earthworms that live in sub-vertical burrows that are more or less ramified and open to the soil surface) and epigeic (small pigmented earthworms that rarely burrow into the soil and live in the organic layer, feeding on decaying organic matter). Species that show anecic behaviour when the quantity of litter decreases and an epigeic behaviour when litter is available (e.g., Lumbricus terrestris) are part of the epianecic subgroup (Je´gou et al 1998. The most abundant on arable land are the anecic and endogeic species (Langmaack et al 1999).…”

Section: Earthworm Burrowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most abundant on arable land are the anecic and endogeic species (Langmaack et al 1999). X-ray CT was used to study burrowing systems produced in experimental soil columns by specimens of epianecic Lumbricus terrestris (Je´gou et al 1998(Je´gou et al , 1999(Je´gou et al , 2000(Je´gou et al , 2001Langmaack et al 1999Langmaack et al , 2002Bastardie et al 2003;Rogasik et al 2003), anecic Aporrectodea giardi (Je´gou et al 1998(Je´gou et al , 1999(Je´gou et al , 2001, Aporrectodea nocturna (Capowiez et al , 2003, Nicodrilus giardi (Bastardie et al 2003), endogeic Aporrectodea (Allolobophora) caliginosa (Joschko 1991;Je´gou et al 1998Je´gou et al , 2001Langmaack et al 1999Langmaack et al , 2002Francis et al 2001), Allolobophora chlorotica (Capowiez et al , 2003, Octolasium cyaneum (Joschko et al 1991(Joschko et al , 1993Francis et al 2001) and Octolasion lacteum (Bastardie et al 2003) and epigeic Lumbricus rubellus (Francis et al 2001).…”

Section: Earthworm Burrowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Application of X-ray computed tomography to soil science: A literature review

Taina¹,

Heck²,

Elliot³

2008

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

259

128

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T. R. 2008. Application of X-ray computed tomography to soil science: A literature review. Can. J. Soil Sci. 88: 1Á20. The study of the spatial configuration of soil, in its complexity, requires an understanding of the interrelations and interactions between the diverse soil constituents, at various levels of organization. Investigations of the spatial arrangement of the mineral and organic components of soil have benefited from the development of techniques for structural analysis. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a non-destructive and non-invasive technique that has been successfully used for three-dimensional (3D) examination of soil. Valuable information has been obtained by the application of CT for the description and quantitative measurements of soil structure elements, especially of soil pores and pore network features. In many studies, X-ray CT has been used to investigate the hydro-physical characteristics of the soil, in a functional and temporal manner. A dynamic approach has also been utilized in the evaluation of the biotic factor influence on soil. The analysis of soil solid phases, by X-ray CT, has been challenging due to the similar X-ray attenuation of different solid constituents. However, the use of multiple X-ray energy levels has facilitated the discrimination of minerals in soil. The aim of this review and synthesis is to offer a perspective on the major issues related to application of the technique, general attempted solutions and possible directions in the utilization of X-ray CT in soil research. Relevant scanning parameters, procedures for CT image reconstruction, algorithms for the quantification of soil characteristics and results are presented for each type of application.Key words: X-ray computed tomography, energy level, spatial resolution, segmentation, soil mineral and organic constituents, soil physical and hydro-physical properties, soil biota Taina, I. A., Heck, R. J. et Elliot, T. R. 2008. Application de la tomographie aux rayons X a`la science du sol : survol de la litte´rature. Can. J. Soil Sci. 88: 1Á20. Pour e´tudier la configuration spatiale du sol dans toute sa complexite´, il faut comprendre les relations et les interactions des fractions du sol a`diffe´rents niveaux d'organisation. Les recherches sur l'organisation spatiale des couches mine´rales et organiques du sol ont profite´du de´veloppement de techniques d'analyse structurale. La tomographie aux rayons X assiste´e par ordinateur (TXAO) est une technique non destructive et non invasive qu'on a applique´e avec succe`s a`l'analyse tridimensionnelle du sol. L'usage de la TXAO pour de´crire et quantifier les e´le´ments structuraux du sol, surtout les pores et les particularite´s de leurs re´seaux, a permis de glaner quelques pre´cieuses informations. Maintes e´tudes rapportent qu'on s'est servi de la TXAO pour pre´ciser les proprie´te´s hydrophysiques du sol sur le plan fonctionnel ou temporel. On a aussi recouru a`une approche dynamique pour e´valuer l'influence des facteurs biotiques sur le sol. L'analyse des p...

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Section: Mineral Constituentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Characterization Of Soil Biotamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Earthworm Burrowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Earthworm Burrowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Earthworm Burrowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Application of X-ray computed tomography to soil science: A literature review

Taina¹,

Heck²,

Elliot³

2008

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

259

128

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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X‐ray computed tomography and its potential in ecological research: A review of studies and optimization of specimen preparation

Gutiérrez

Ott

Töpperwien

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Imaging techniques are a cornerstone of contemporary biology. Over the last decades, advances in microscale imaging techniques have allowed fascinating new insights into cell and tissue morphology and internal anatomy of organisms across kingdoms. However, most studies so far provided snapshots of given reference taxa, describing organs and tissues under “idealized” conditions. Surprisingly, there is an almost complete lack of studies investigating how an organism′s internal morphology changes in response to environmental drivers. Consequently, ecology as a scientific discipline has so far almost neglected the possibilities arising from modern microscale imaging techniques. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments of X‐ray computed tomography as an affordable, simple method of high spatial resolution, allowing insights into three‐dimensional anatomy both in vivo and ex vivo. We review ecological studies using this technique to investigate the three‐dimensional internal structure of organisms. In addition, we provide practical comparisons between different preparation techniques for maximum contrast and tissue differentiation. In particular, we consider the novel modality of phase contrast by self‐interference of the X‐ray wave behind an object (i.e., phase contrast by free space propagation). Using the cricket Acheta domesticus (L.) as model organism, we found that the combination of FAE fixative and iodine staining provided the best results across different tissues. The drying technique also affected contrast and prevented artifacts in specific cases. Overall, we found that for the interests of ecological studies, X‐ray computed tomography is useful when the tissue or structure of interest has sufficient contrast that allows for an automatic or semiautomatic segmentation. In particular, we show that reconstruction schemes which exploit phase contrast can yield enhanced image quality. Combined with suitable specimen preparation and automated analysis, X‐ray CT can therefore become a promising quantitative 3D imaging technique to study organisms′ responses to environmental drivers, in both ecology and evolution.

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A simple and effective method for linking field investigations of earthworms and water infiltration rate into soil at pedon‐scale

Emmerling

Rassier

Schneider

2015

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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Earthworm density and activity may significantly contribute, amongst others, to soil physical properties such as water infiltration rate and permeability, and thus provide a desirable ecosystem service. In environmental field studies, investigations of the two soil physical properties are highly recommended. In practice, they are carried out separately in terms of time and space and, therefore, are typically closely connected. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a combined investigation of earthworm population and infiltration rate in soil in field studies. The idea was to use an aqueous solution of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and a double-ring cylinder for simultaneous measurements at the same pedon and, thus, without any spatio-temporal deviation. Tap water was used as a control for the infiltration measurements with AITC. Another aim was to evaluate the plausibility of earthworm data received from those combined investigations. This was tested for some arable and grassland soils derived from various parent materials in W-Germany differing in soil chemical and physical properties. Infiltration rates of AITC in soil were not significant different from tap water, neither for the different soils nor different land-uses and at the different study sites. Earthworm population data revealed from AITC application with a double-ring cylinder equipment were realistic and in line with previous investigations in the respected study area. Pearson correlation coefficient between earthworm biomass and infiltration rate of AITC was medium (R 2 = 0.363).

show abstract

Characterization of the burrow system of the earthworms Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea giardi using X-ray computed tomography and image analysis

Cited by 53 publications

References 8 publications

Application of X-ray computed tomography to soil science: A literature review

Application of X-ray computed tomography to soil science: A literature review

X‐ray computed tomography and its potential in ecological research: A review of studies and optimization of specimen preparation

A simple and effective method for linking field investigations of earthworms and water infiltration rate into soil at pedon‐scale

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