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This research work was funded by Spain's Plan Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica, Desarrollo e Innovacion Tecnologica (I+D+i), under ref. AGL2015-69697-P. One of the authors (LM) would like to thank Prof. G. Palomo for enlightening discussions.

Analysis of institutional authors

San Jose Martinez, FernandoCorresponding AuthorGarcia-Gutierrez, CarlosAuthor

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June 9, 2019
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Minkowski Functionals of Connected Soil Porosity as Indicators of Soil Tillage and Depth

Publicated to:Frontiers In Environmental Science. 6 (55): - 2018-06-13 6(55), DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2018.00055

Authors: San Jose Martinez, Fernando; Martin, Luisa; Garcia-Gutierrez, Carlos;

Affiliations

Univ Politecn Madrid, Appl Math & Comp Sci Civil & Marine Engn, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Appl Math, Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

We made use of 3D tomograms from X-ray computed tomography of soil samples from a vineyard in La Rioja (Spain), to explore the ability of Minkowski functionals of connected soil pore space to discriminate between different pore space geometries coming from soils with different management and depth and that, a priori, are expected to have some degree of dissimilarity. We estimate the volume of the connected pore space (V), the surface of the interface soil/void (S), the accumulated mean curvature of that interface (C), and its connectivity (E) out of 3D binary images taken from samples of two different depths of soil where two different managements were undertaken. Logit model showed that V, S, and C are needed to predict soil management and only V is required to infer depths. In our limited experimental circumstances, where we just explain two soil features, it seems natural that not all the four functionals are related to or needed to explain the variety of considered cases of soil structures. Therefore, this could not be an argument to dismiss Minkowski functionals as good candidates as predictors of the geometric structure of soil pore space. Our results suggest just the opposite, and they can be used as discriminants for a wide variety of soil features and behaviors.

Keywords

3-dimensional quantificationCarbonDynamicsGeometryMathematical morphologyMinkowski functionalPorous-mediaRay computed-tomographySoil managementSoil pore spaceSoil structureWaterX-ray computed tomography

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Frontiers In Environmental Science due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2018, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Environmental Science (Miscellaneous).

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.74, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-28, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 7
  • Scopus: 6

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-28:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 17.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 17 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 0.5.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (SAN JOSE MARTINEZ, FERNANDO) and Last Author (GARCIA-GUTIERREZ BAEZ, CARLOS).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been SAN JOSE MARTINEZ, FERNANDO.