Bridging The Gap Between Soil Structure and Microbial Activity

Dr. Maoz Dor Va’adia BARD postdoctoral fellow at Oregon State university where he is working on imaging and analyzing soil structure and microbial activity dynamics at the micro scale

What is the main focus of your postdoc work?

My postdoc research focuses on how microbial activity in soils affects pore architecture complexity and hydraulic properties. Biofilms, the predominant mode of life for soil bacteria, are aggregates of microorganisms attached to soil surfaces by a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Thus, they alter the physicochemical characteristics of soil pores and their dimensions, affecting soil hydrodynamics. I investigate how different pore morphologies influence microbial activity and the development of biofilm in porous media. By developing advanced X-ray imaging approach in combination with deep-learning, I have been able to accurately resolve the geometry of the different phases of the soil system (solid, aqueous, gaseous, and biological), and to quantify biofilm growth, as well as the associated changes in pore geometry, and fluid pathways in the porous medium.

What got you interested in studying soil architecture and soil microbial activity?

CO₂ emissions from soil respiration are about ten times greater than anthropogenic emissions from terrestrial ecosystems. Soil microbial activity, a main contributor to soil respiration, is restricted by the availability of resources via fluid pathways along the pores. Considering that soils contain a significant amount of carbon, and microorganisms are responsible for driving and mediating most if not all soil processes, understanding how soil architecture affects microbial activity is crucial as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations continue to rise.

Soil architecture complexity is my central scientific interest. Throughout both my MSc and PhD, my research has bridged the gap between soil chemistry and soil physics, two fields that have traditionally been divided. Specifically, my work has focused on studying the chemical and physical mechanisms governing the mechanical formation and deterioration of soil structure. For my postdoctoral work, I expanded my scholarship and began investigating some of the most challenging ’players’ in soil system – microorganisms.

What tip would you give someone just beginning a career in agricultural research?

I recommend familiarizing oneself with as many disciplines, approaches and methodologies as possible, since agricultural research is an application-oriented field. Additionally, I believe that expanding beyond the PhD research and field of study may be challenging but may lead to a more independent and unique career path.