Using Atomic Force M ~ Croscopy to Study Soil Reactions

Within the realm of modern science, many of the most challenging fields of endeavor involve interfuces. Not only are interfaces highly complex environments in and of themselves, they also require interdisciplinary research in a time of increased specialization. Soils are the quintessential interfaces at the earth’s surface, for they are the links connecting the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the geosphere, and the biosphere. Soil particles, with their high surface-area-to-volume ratios, present practically infinite environments for interaction. Yet, the structures, chemical compositions, and chemical reactivities of soil mineral surfaces remain but poorly understood. Over the past few decades, new techniques and approaches have evolved to probe the complex natures of mineral surfaces and surficial interactions. Sophisticated surface-sensitive technologies, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), low-energy electron diffraction