Scanning Hard X-ray Microscopy Imaging Modalities for Geobiological Samples

Abstract

Modern scanning X-ray microscopy can help to unravel the spatial context between biotic and abiotic compounds of geobiological assemblies with the aim to finally link chemical pathways to biological activities at the nanometre scale. This work presents some multi-modal imaging techniques provided by hard X-ray microscopes at synchrotron radiation sources to address analytical needs in geobiological research. Using the examples of 1\) a calcified basal skeleton of the demosponge Astrosclera willeyana, 2\) an anaerobic methane-oxidizing microbial mat and 3\) a bacterial sulfur-oxidizing consortium, we illustrate the potential of scanning X-ray fluorescence and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, and a novel quantitative approach of ptychographic imaging at single cell level.