Synchrotron radiation is extremely bright and intense, containing a continuous electromagnetic spectrum of wavelengths extending from the infrared to the hard X-ray region. The unique properties of this radiation allow a variety of analytical techniques. The application of these techniques can provide crucial information about the nature of a wide variety of Earth materials, including structure, chemical composition, chemical speciation, surface and interface properties and processes. The past few decades have seen an explosion in the development and availability of synchrotron facilities. Earth scientists have recognized the power of these methods for frontier research and are taking advantage of them in increasing numbers. The research conducted at these facilities has impact on several disciplines across the Earth sciences, including geochemistry, mineralogy, soil sciences, mineral physics, molecular environmental sciences, biogeosciences and petrology.
The aim of this session is to present new insights and innovative opportunities offered by the use of synchrotron radiation in the field of soil and geosciences.

Keynote lecture: "X-ray spectromicroscopy in soil and geosciences" by Juergen Thieme

Publications: contributions may be submitted for publication in a special issue of Journal of Synchrotron Radiation