Sacha Mooney

Contact

• workGateway Building
  Sutton Bonington Campus
  Sutton Bonington
  Leicestershire
  LE12 5RD
  UK
• work0115 951 6257
• fax0115 951 6261
• sacha.mooney@nottingham.ac.uk

Research Summary

please see here for further details www.nottingham.ac.uk/biosciences/microCT

Current projects include:

1. Evaluating The 'Integrated Catchment Management' (ICM) Process To Control Diffuse Agricultural Pollution (with ADAS)

Diffuse pollution by agriculture has been identified as a major threat to the UK meeting water quality targets set under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). There is now much interest in the concept of 'integrated catchment management' (ICM), whereby land surrounding a sensitive water body (lake, river groundwater, etc.) is managed to maintain/improve the chemical/ecological quality of that water. Evaluating the success of catchment management is not straightforward due to the hydrological complexity of catchments and the time lag between implementing land management changes and measuring effects in the receiving waters. One way to achieve this is through using measured changes in land management (e.g. changes in fertiliser and manure management, crop rotations, livestock management, etc.) as indicators that water quality is likely to change in the future - especially when linked to simulation modelling to calculate reductions in losses. (Postgraduate researcher, Katherine Cherry, working on this project).

2. Optimum practice for seedbed preparation and establishment using soil structural visualisation (Sponsored by HGCA)

Previous research has shown the importance of soil structure in determining crop establishment and yield. However, the nature of this relationship has yet to be fully explored. This project aims to understand how specific soil structural properties affect crop establishment, growth and ultimately, yield. (Postgraduate researcher, Brian Atkinson, working on this project).

3. Quantification of permeable reactive barrier longevity (Funded by University of Nottingham)

Pore clogging e.g. through the development of bio-films or mineral precipitates, changes the architecture of a given porous media, affecting the materials hydraulic and chemical performance, and ultimately, system lifespan. This project aims to assess the issue of barrier longevity, focusing on potential for contaminant re-release and hydraulic performance through a combination of laboratory based column experiments, image analysis of reactive media architecture, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and isotope dilution techniques. (Postgraduate researcher, Ping Luo, working on this project)

4. Development of nitrate barriers for field scale remediation of agricultural leachate (BBSRC Strategic Studentship)

The extent of nitrate pollution is affected by timing of application, weather conditions and the management strategy employed. Permeable reactive barriers (PRB's) have emerged as a tool for groundwater remediation in the last 10 years. To date, however, the application of this technology has been focused on case specific problems for the industrial sector. However, reactive barriers of waste/natural materials, installed at field boundaries (targeting lateral flow following vertical drainage) could, potentially, be a low cost solution for groundwater pollution from nitrate (Postgraduate Researcher, Phoebe Goodman, working on this project)

5. The role of biodiversity in controlling soil function (Funded by NERC)

This project aims to determine an empirical relationship between soil microbial diversity and soil structure in model systems of varying complexity. Functional groups consist of ecologically equivalent species and are defined operationally (e.g. nitrification). Species may differ within any one functional group because of different efficiencies in resource use and/or sensitivity to various environmental factors. A key question is, therefore, to what extent do species extinctions affect functioning? (Postgraduate Researcher, Sarah Martin, working on this project)

Recent projects include:

Cereal anchorage failure (£192 000 - 2002 to 2005 - BBSRC ) Current models of cereal lodging have not previously considered the mechanisms of root failure. Experimentation is required to quantify the effects and interactions of soil and root structure on anchorage failure at the microscale.

Modelling soil pore connectivity and water movement in 3-D (Royal Society funded) Current work involves the use of non-destructive imaging techniques (X-ray Computed Tomography) to evaluate the pore volume connectivity and active wetting mechanisms (preferential flow) in three dimensions and seeking to elucidated the principles of hysteresis.

Permeable reactive barriers (PRB's) for groundwater remediation (Funded by Royal Thai Government) Permeable reactive barriers, physical barriers that 'clean' contaminated groundwater, are a rapid expanding area in hydrological and environmental sciences. Experimentation is being undertaken to evaluate different barrier types and quantify the effect of features such as pore clogging and microbial activity. (Researcher, Janthawan Wantanaphong, working on this project).

(Nottingham - Rothamsted Research Joint Project)

Organic farming is believed to improve soil quality / structure in comparison to conventional farming techniques. This work seeks to quantify this by using image analysis to examine the differences in undisturbed soil structure between conventional and organically farmed soils. (Postgraduate researcher, Apostolos Papadopoulos working on this project).

Selected Publications

• MOONEY, S.J. & MORRIS, C, 2008. A morphological approach to understanding preferential flow using image analysis with dye tracers and X-ray Computed Tomography. Catena. 73, 204-211 (In Press.)
• PAPADOPOULOS, A, BIRD, N.R and MOONEY, S.J. & WHITMORE, A.P., 2008. Fractal analysis of pore roughness in images of soil using the slit island method. Vadose Zone Journal. 7, 456-460
• MOONEY, S.J, MORRIS, C and CRAIGON, J. & BERRY, P.M., 2007. Quantification of soil structural changes induced by cereal anchorage failure: Image analysis of thin sections. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 1-10 (In Press.)
• LIPSIUS,K. and MOONEY,S.J., 2007. Using image analysis to estimate the influence of water repellency on infiltration patterns in a sandy soil. Geoderma. 136, 865-875

• View all publications

Past Research

My previous research involved the use of soil thin sections (micromorphology) and image analysis. I have also worked on aspect of peatland hydrology and sport turf - rootzone interactions.

Future Research

My future research is concerned with development of imaging protocols primarily associated with the use of X-ray Computed Tomography to address a number of processes associated with soil function including the effects of pore connectivity and impacts of microbial biodiversity.

• MAIRHOFER S, ZAPPALA S, TRACY S, STURROCK C, BENNETT MJ, MOONEY S and PRIDMORE T, 2012. RooTrak: Automated recovery of 3D plant root architecture in soil from X-ray Micro computed Tomography using visual tracking Plant Physiology. 158(2), 561-569
• DE SMET I, WHITE PJ, BENGOUGH AG, DUPUY L, PARIZOT B, CASIMIRO I, HEIDSTRA R, LASKOWSKI M, LEPETIT M, HOCHHOLDINGER F, DRAYE X, ZHANG H, BROADLEY MR, PÉRET B, HAMMOND JP, FUKAKI H, MOONEY S, LYNCH JP, NACRY P, SCHURR U, LAPLAZE L, BENFEY P, BEECKMAN T and BENNETT M, 2012. Analyzing lateral root development: how to move forward. The Plant Cell. (In Press.)
• TRACY SR, BLACK CR, ROBERTS JA, STURROCK C, MAIRHOFER S, CRAIGON J and MOONEY SJ, 2012. Quantifying The Impact Of Soil Compaction On Root System Architecture In Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) By X-Ray Micro-Computed Tomography. Annals Of Botany. (In Press.)
• CHERRY, K, MOONEY, SJ, RAMSDEN, S and SHEPHERD, MA, 2012. Using Field And Farm Nitrogen Budgets To Assess The Effectiveness Of Actions Mitigating N Loss To Water Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment. 147, 82-88
• TRACY SR, BLACK CR, ROBERTS JA AND MOONEY SJ, 2011. Soil compaction: A review of past and present techniques for investigating effects on root growth Journal of the Science of Food & Agriculture. 91, 1528-1537
• LUCAS, M, SWARUP, R, PAPONOV, I A, SWARUP, K, CASIMIRO, I, LAKE, D, PERET, B, ZAPPALA, S, MAIRHOFER, S, WHITWORTH, M, WANG, J, LJUNG, K and ET AL, 2011. Short-Root regulates primary, lateral, and adventitious root development in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology. 155(1), 384-98
• TRACY, SR, BLACK, CR, ROBERTS, JA and MOONEY, SJ, 2011. Soil Compaction: A Review Of Past And Present Techniques For Investigating Effects On Root Growth
• LUCAS, M, SWARUP, R, PAPONOV, IA, SWARUP, K, CASIMIRO, I, LAKE, D, PERET, B, ZAPPALA, S, MAIRHOFER, S, WHITWORTH, M, WANG, JH, LJUNG, K, MARCHANT, A, SANDBERG, G, HOLDSWORTH, MJ, PALME, K, PRIDMORE, T, MOONEY, S and BENNETT, MJ, 2011. Short-Root Regulates Primary, Lateral, And Adventitious Root Development In Arabidopsis Plant Physiology. 155(1), 384-398
• GREENHAM K, SANTNER A, CASTILLEJO C, MOONEY S, SAIRANEN I, LJUNG K and ESTELLE M, 2011. The Afb4 Auxin Receptor Is A Negative Regulator Of Auxin Signaling In Seedlings. Current Biology : Cb. 21(6), 520-5
• TRACY SR, ROBERTS JA, BLACK CR, MCNEILL A, DAVIDSON R AND MOONEY SJ, 2010. The X-factor: Visualising undisturbed root architecture in soils using X-ray computed tomography Journal of Experimental Botany. 61, 311-313 (In Press.)
• TRACY, SR, ROBERTS, JA, BLACK, CR, MCNEILL, A, DAVIDSON, R and MOONEY, SJ, 2010. The X-Factor: Visualizing Undisturbed Root Architecture In Soils Using X-Ray Computed Tomography
• BAVEYE, PC, LABA, M, OTTEN, W, BOUCKAERT, L, DELLO STERPAIO, P, GOSWAMI, RR, GRINEV, D, HOUSTON, A, HU, YP, LIU, JL, MOONEY, S, PAJOR, R, SLEUTEL, S, TARQUIS, A, WANG, W, WEI, Q and SEZGIN, M, 2010. Observer-Dependent Variability Of The Thresholding Step In The Quantitative Analysis Of Soil Images And X-Ray Microtomography Data Geoderma. 157(1-2), 51-63
• MASSMAN, W.J., FRANK J.M. and MOONEY S,J,, 2010. Advancing investigation and physical modelling of first-order fire effects on soils Fire Ecology. 6, 36-54
• ATKINSON, BS, SPARKES, DL and MOONEY, SJ, 2009. The Impact Of Soil Structure On The Establishment Of Winter Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) European Journal Of Agronomy. 30(4), 243-257
• PAPADOPOULOS, A, WHITMORE, AP, WHITE, RP, MOONEY, SJ and BIRD, NRA, 2009. Combining Spatial Resolutions In The Multiscale Analysis Of Soil Pore-Size Distributions Vadose Zone Journal. 8(1), 227-232
• MOONEY, SJ and KOROSAK, D, 2009. Using Complex Networks To Model Two- And Three-Dimensional Soil Porous Architecture Soil Science Society Of America Journal. 73(4), 1094-1100
• PAPADOPOULOS, A, BIRD, NRA, WHITMORE, AP and MOONEY, SJ, 2009. Investigating The Effects Of Organic And Conventional Management On Soil Aggregate Stability Using X-Ray Computed Tomography European Journal Of Soil Science. 60(3), 360-368
• ATKINSON, BS, SPARKES, DL and MOONEY, SJ, 2009. Effect Of Seedbed Cultivation And Soil Macrostructure On The Establishment Of Winter Wheat (Triticum Aestivum)
• MORRIS, C and MOONEY, S.J. & YOUNG, S.D., 2008. Adsorption and desorption characteristics of the dye tracer, Brilliant Blue FCF, in sandy and clay soils Geoderma. (In Press.)
• CHERRY, K, WITHERS, P and SHEPHERD, M. & MOONEY S.J., 2008. Assessing the effectiveness of actions to mitigate nutrient loss from agriculture: a review of methods. Science of the Total Environment. (In Press.)
• MOONEY, S.J. & MORRIS, C, 2008. A morphological approach to understanding preferential flow using image analysis with dye tracers and X-ray Computed Tomography. Catena. 73, 204-211 (In Press.)
• PAPADOPOULOS, A, BIRD, N.R and MOONEY, S.J. & WHITMORE, A.P., 2008. Fractal analysis of pore roughness in images of soil using the slit island method. Vadose Zone Journal. 7, 456-460
• WHALLEY, W.R, WATTS, C.W, GREGORY, A.S, MOONEY, S.J and CLARK, L.J. & WHITMORE A.P., 2008. The effect of soil strength on wheat yield. Plant & Soil. 306, 237-247
• CHERRY, KA, SHEPHERD, M, WITHERS, PJA and MOONEY, SJ, 2008. Assessing The Effectiveness Of Actions To Mitigate Nutrient Loss From Agriculture: A Review Of Methods
• MORRIS, C, MOONEY, SJ and YOUNG, SD, 2008. Sorption And Desorption Characteristics Of The Dye Tracer, Brilliant Blue Fcf, In Sandy And Clay Soils Geoderma. 146(3-4), 434-438
• PAPADOPOULOS, A, BIRD, NRA, MOONEY, SJ and WHITMORE, AP, 2008. Fractal Analysis Of Pore Roughness In Images Of Soil Using The Slit Island Method Vadose Zone Journal. 7(2), 456-460
• MOONEY, SJ and MORRIS, C, 2008. Morphological Approach To Understanding Preferential Flow Using Image Analysis With Dye Tracers And X-Ray Computed Tomography
• WHALLEY, WR, WATTS, CW, GREGORY, AS, MOONEY, SJ, CLARK, LJ and WHITMORE, AP, 2008. The Effect Of Soil Strength On The Yield Of Wheat
• LIN, H, SINGHA K, CHITTLEBOROUGH H, VOGEL HJ and MOONEY SJ, 2008. Advancing the emerging field of hydropedology Eos Trans. AGU. 89(48), 490
• MOONEY, S.J., FOOT, K., HUTCHINGS,T.R. and MOFFAT, A.J., 2007. Micromorphological investigations into root penetration in a landfill mineral cap, Hertfordshire, UK. Waste Management. 27(9), 1225-1232
• MOONEY, S.J, MORRIS, C and CRAIGON, J. & BERRY, P.M., 2007. Quantification of soil structural changes induced by cereal anchorage failure: Image analysis of thin sections. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 1-10 (In Press.)
• ATKINSON, B.S., SPARKES, D.L. and MOONEY, S.J., 2007. Using selected soil physical properties of seedbeds to predict crop establishment Soil and Tillage Research. 97, 218-228
• LIPSIUS,K. and MOONEY,S.J., 2007. Using image analysis to estimate the influence of water repellency on infiltration patterns in a sandy soil. Geoderma. 136, 865-875
• ATKINSON, BS, SPARKES, DL and MOONEY, SJ, 2007. Using Selected Soil Physical Properties Of Seedbeds To Predict Crop Establishment Soil & Tillage Research. 97(2), 218-228
• MOONEY, SJ, MORRIS, C, CRAIGON, J and BERRY, P, 2007. Quantification Of Soil Structural Changes Induced By Cereal Anchorage Failure: Image Analysis Of Thin Sections Journal Of Plant Nutrition And Soil Science-Zeitschrift Fur Pflanzenernahrung Und Bodenkunde. 170(3), 363-372
• WANTANAPHONG, J., MOONEY, S.J. and BAILEY, E.H., 2006. Quantification of pore clogging characteristics in potential permeable reactive barrier (PRB) substrates using image analysis Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 86(3-4), 299-320
• MOONEY, S.J., MORRIS, C. and BERRY, P.M., 2006. Visualization and quantification of the effects of cereal root lodging on three-dimensional soil macrostructure using X-ray computed tomography Soil Science. 171(9), 706-718
• PAPADOPOULOS,A., MOONEY,S.J. and BIRD,N.R., 2006. Quantification of the effects of contrasting crops in the development of soil structure: An organic conversion example. Soil Use and Management. 22, 172-179
• BERRY, P. M., STERLING, M. and MOONEY, S. J., 2006. Development of a Model of Lodging for Barley Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. VOL 192(NUMBER 2), 151-158
• MOONEY,S.J., 2006. A simple group work approach for effective fieldwork: a soil sciences case study. Journal of Geoscience Education. 54, 74-79
• MOONEY,S.J., TAMS,A.R. and BERRY,P.M., 2006. A method for rapidly impregnating and preserving soil structure in the field of morphological examinations. Geoderma. 133, 338-344
• LIPSIUS, K and MOONEY, SJ, 2006. Using Image Analysis Of Tracer Staining To Examine The Infiltration Patterns In A Water Repellent Contaminated Sandy Soil Geoderma. 136(3-4), 865-875
• MOONEY, SJ, MORRIS, C and BERRY, PM, 2006. Visualization And Quantification Of The Effects Of Cereal Root Lodging On Three-Dimensional Soil Macrostructure Using X-Ray Computed Tomography Soil Science. 171(9), 706-718
• WANTANAPHONG, J, MOONEY, SJ and BAILEY, EH, 2006. Quantification Of Pore Clogging Characteristics In Potential Permeable Reactive Barrier (Prb) Substrates Using Image Analysis Journal Of Contaminant Hydrology. 86(3-4), 299-320
• MOONEY, SJ, TAMS, AR and BERRY, PM, 2006. A Reliable Method For Preserving Soil Structure In The Field For Subsequent Morphological Examinations Geoderma. 133(3-4), 338-344
• PAPADOPOULOS, A, MOONEY, SJ and BIRD, NRA, 2006. Quantification Of The Effects Of Contrasting Crops In The Development Of Soil Structure: An Organic Conversion Soil Use And Management. 22(2), 172-179
• BERRY, PM, STERLING, M and MOONEY, SJ, 2006. Development Of A Model Of Lodging For Barley Journal Of Agronomy And Crop Science. 192(2), 151-158
• WANTANAPHONG, J., BAILEY, E.H. and MOONEY, S., 2005. Suitability of natural materials and wastes as Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBÃs). Environmental Chemistry Letters. 3, 19-23
• SCOTT, D.I, TAMS, A.R, BERRY, P.M. and MOONEY S.J., 2005. The effects of wheel-induced soil compaction on anchorage strength and resistance to root lodging of winter barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.). Soil & Tillage Research. 82(2), 147-160
• WANTANAPHONG, J., BAILEY, E.H. and MOONEY, S.J., 2005. Suitability testing of selected wastes and natural substrates for Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBÃs). In: Permeable Reactive Barriers. 110-116
• WANTANAPHONG, J., MOONEY, S.J. and BAILEY, E.H., 2005. Quantification of the effects of pore clogging in potential PRB substrates using image analysis. In: Permeable Reactive Barriers. 154-160
• WANTANAPHONG, J, MOONEY, SJ and BAILEY, EH, 2005. Natural And Waste Materials As Metal Sorbents In Permeable Reactive Barriers (Prbs) Environmental Chemistry Letters. 3(1), 19-23
• SCOTT, DI, TAMS, AR, BERRY, PM and MOONEY, SJ, 2005. The Effects Of Wheel-Induced Soil Compaction On Anchorage Strength And Resistance To Root Lodging Of Winter Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Soil & Tillage Research. 82(2), 147-160
• MORRIS, C. and MOONEY, S. J., 2004. A high-resolution system for the quantification of preferential flow in undisturbed soil using observations of tracers Geoderma. VOL 118(NUMBER 1-2), 133-143
• BERRY, P. M., STERLING, M., SPINK, J. H., BAKER, C. J., SYLVESTER-BRADLEY, R., MOONEY, S. J., TAMS, A. R. and ENNOS, A. R., 2004. Understanding and Reducing Lodging in Cereals Advances in Agronomy. VOL 84, 218-273
• MORRIS, C and MOONEY, SJ, 2004. A High-Resolution System For The Quantification Of Preferential Flow In Undisturbed Soil Using Observations Of Tracers Geoderma. 118(1-2), 133-143
• MOONEY, S. J., 2003. Using micromorphology to understand the rewetting mechanisms in milled peat CATENA. VOL 54(NO 3), 665-678
• MOONEY,S.J. and NIPATTASUK,W., 2003. Quantification of the effects of compaction on the mechanisms of soil water flow using dye tracers and image analysis. Soil Use and Management. 19, 356-363
• MOONEY, SJ and NIPATTASUK, W, 2003. Quantification Of The Effects Of Soil Compaction On Water Flow Using Dye Tracers And Image Analysis Soil Use And Management. 19(4), 356-363
• MOONEY, SJ, 2003. Using Micromorphology To Understand The Rewetting Mechanisms In Milled Peat Catena. 54(3), 665-678
• MOONEY, S. J., 2002. Three-dimensional visualization and quantification of soil macroporosity and water flow patterns using computed tomography Soil Use and Management. VOL 18(PART 2), 142-151
• MOONEY, SJ, 2002. Three-Dimensional Visualization And Quantification Of Soil Macroporosity And Water Flow Patterns Using Computed Tomography Soil Use And Management. 18(2), 142-151
• MOONEY,S.J., HOLDEN,N.M., WARD,S.M. and COLLINS,J.F., 2001. A comparison of micromorphometric data and macroscale physical measurements of pore structures in milled peat stockpiles. Geoderma. 104, 61-73
• MOONEY, S. J., HOLDEN, N. M., WARD, S. M. and COLLINS, J. F., 2000. The use of quantified structural descriptors to physically characterise stockpiled milled peat of different genetic origins Geoderma. VOL 95(NUMBER 1-2), 15-32
• MOONEY, S. J., HOLDEN, N. M., WARD, S. M. and COLLINS, J. F., 2000. The micromorphology of selected Irish milled peats Plant and Soil. VOL 222(PART 1/2), 15-23
• MOONEY, SJ, HOLDEN, NM, WARD, SM and COLLINS, JF, 2000. The Use Of Quantified Structural Descriptors To Physically Characterise Stockpiled Milled Peat Of Different Genetic Origins Geoderma. 95(1-2), 15-32
• MOONEY, S. J., HOLDEN, N. M., WARD, S. M. and COLLINS, J. F., 1999. Morphological observations of dye tracer infiltration and by-pass flow in milled peat Plant and Soil. VOL 208(NUMBER 2), 167-178
• MOONEY, S. J., HOLDEN, N. M., WARD, S. M. and COLLINS, J. F., 1998. The rapid preparation of structural images from undisturbed, non-cohesive material (milled peat) Geoderma. VOL 86(ISSUE 3-4), 159-168
• MOONEY, SJ, HOLDEN, NM, WARD, SM and COLLINS, JF, 1998. The Rapid Preparation Of Structural Images From Undisturbed, Non-Cohesive Material (Milled Peat) Geoderma. 86(3-4), 159-168
• MOONEY, SJ, HOLDEN, NM, COLLINS, JF and WARD, SM, 1998. A Suitability Evaluation Of Selected Impregnants For In Situ Preparation Of Structural Images Of Milled Peat Geoderma. 81(3-4), 241-249
• PAPADOPOULOS, A, BIRD, N.R and MOONEY, S.J. & WHITMORE, A.P., Combining spatial resolutions in the multiscale analysis of soil pore size distributions. Vadose Zone Journal. (In Press.)
• MOONEY, SJ, FOOT, K, HUTCHINGS, TR and MOFFAT, AJ, Micromorphological Investigations Into Root Penetration In A Landfill Mineral Cap, Hertfordshire, Uk Waste Management. 27(9), 1225-1232
• BERRY, PM, STERLING, M, SPINK, JH, BAKER, CJ, SYLVESTER-BRADLEY, R, MOONEY, SJ, TAMS, AR and ENNOS, AR, Understanding And Reducing Lodging In Cereals
• MOONEY, SJ, HOLDEN, NM, WARD, SM and COLLINS, JF, The Micromorphology Of Selected Irish Milled Peats Plant And Soil. 222(1-2), 15-23
• MOONEY, SJ, HOLDEN, NM, WARD, SM and COLLINS, JF, Morphological Observations Of Dye Tracer Infiltration And By-Pass Flow In Milled Peat Plant And Soil. 208(2), 167-178