Alvin Smucker

Prof. Dr. Alvin Smucker

Michigan State University, Department of Crop, East Lansing, United States

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

24Years (2003-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 May 2007 in Vadose Zone Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
ASAlvin Smucker
Alvin Smucker
EPEun‐Jin Park
Eun‐Jin Park
José DörnerJosé Dörner
José Dörner
RHRainer Horn
Rainer Horn

1 January 2005 in Soil Science Society of America Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
EPEun-Jin Park
Eun-Jin Park
ASAlvin Smucker
Alvin Smucker

1 May 2007 in Vadose Zone Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
ASAlvin Smucker
Alvin Smucker
Jan HopmansJan Hopmans
Jan Hopmans


28 August 2008
Verified
Conference Paper
Closed access
PDF file
SPStephan Peth
Stephan Peth
RHRainer Horn
Rainer Horn
FBFelix Beckmann
Felix Beckmann
TDTilman Donath
Tilman Donath
ASAlvin Smucker
Alvin Smucker
Knowledge on the geometry of pore networks of intra-aggregate soil pore spaces are of great value for many soil environmental processes. Advances in non-invasive 3D imaging techniques such as synchrotron-radiation-based microtomography offer an excellent opportunity to study the interrelationship of the pore network geometry with physical processes at a spatial resolution of a few micrometers. This paper presents results of a quantitative 3D pore space geometry analysis of small scale (~5mm across) soil aggregates from contrasting soil management systems. Soil aggregates have been scanned at the SR-μCT facility operated by the GKSS Research Center at HASYLAB / DESY (Hamburger Synchrotron Strahlungslabor / Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron) in Hamburg/Germany. The achieved isotropic voxel resolution of the scans ranged from 2.4 to 5.4 μm. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the soil aggregates were analysed for various pore space features using a suite of algorithms based on mathematical morphology. Results have shown expected differences in distributions of pore size, throat size, channel length and width as well as tortuosity and connectivity of the intra-aggregate pores with potential implications for soil functions. Underlying image transformations and methods of visualization and quantification of soil pore networks will be discussed in view of their robustness and possible application of such information in soil related research fields.