Jean Robertson
Jean Robertson is an Infrared Spectroscopist and Head of the IR Section of the Analytical Group at the Institute. She has worked at the Institute in the IR Section since 2004, becoming head of the section in 2005, which encompasses both the analytical techniques of FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy and NIR (Near Infrared) spectroscopy.
Current research interests
Her expertise in FTIR spectroscopy was first developed through her PhD, awarded in 1990, in which she studied structures of organometallic compounds using this technique. Through her work at the Institute she now applies this expertise in IR spectroscopy to a wide range of naturally occurring samples. She has developed the specialist knowledge necessary for interpreting the complex FTIR spectra of minerals, soils, sediments, fungal species and vegetation. An FTIR spectrum provides a "chemical fingerprint" or chemical overview of a sample encompassing both organic and mineral components and is therefore particularly applicable to the combined study of soil mineralogy and organic matter. From the samples generated for the National Soil Inventory of Scotland a soils database has been created for which the IR section has provided high quality FTIR and NIR spectral data. Analysis of relationships between this spectral data and the other data held for the soils, including mineralogy and wax markers from vegetation input, will be a key research interest, particularly in relation to changes in soil organic matter. Another key area of research is the development of NIR calibrations for the prediction of parameters for a range of materials including soil, animal faeces and vegetation. Effective calibrations allow analysis to be provided in a quick, cheap and environmentally friendly manner and significantly extend the number of samples it is possible to work with for a given project. Development of suitable calibrations will have a potentially highly significant input into a range of ecological and environmental monitoring projects.
Bibliography
- Robertson, J.; Donaldson-Selby, G.; Parker, T.; Main, A.; Watson, H.; Cooper, P.; Smart, C. (2022) Analysing Carbon Losses from Peatland, Zenodo, 10.5281/zenodo.7386670.
- Haghi, R.; Perez Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2021) Prediction of various soil properties for a national spatial dataset of Scottish soils based on four different chemometric approaches: a comparison of near infrared and mid-infrared spectroscopy., Geoderma, 396, Article No. 115071.
- Mitchell, R.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Haghi, R.K.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Owen, I.J. (2021) Functional and ecosystem service differences between tree species: implications for tree species replacement., Trees.
- Leybourne, D.L.; Valentine, T.A.; Robertson, J.A.H.; Perez-Fernandez, E.; Main, A.M.; Karley, A.J.; Bos, J.I.B. (2019) Defence gene expression and phloem quality contribute to mesophyll and phloem resistance to aphids in wild barley., Journal of Experimental Botany, 70, 4011-4026.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Wetterlind, J.; Main, A.M.; Alshihabi, O. (2019) How to minimise loss in spectral quality when going from laboratory to field measurements using a portable FTIR instrument., Global Workshop on Proximal Soil Sensing (GWPSS), Linking Soil Sensing to Management Decisions, Columbia, Missouri, 28-31 May 2019, 6pp.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Pérez-Fernández, E.; Baggaley, N.J.; McKenzie, B.M.; Owen, I.J.; Lilly, A. (2019) Extending predictions of soil parameters for a national dataset., In: Engelsen, S.B., Sørensen, K.M. and van den Berg, D. (eds.). Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Near Infrared Spectroscopy (ICNIRS2017), NIR Spectroscopy at Work in Industry, Copenhagen, Denmark, 11-15 June 2017. IM Publications, Chichester, pp123-127.
- Roberts, D.; Torrance, L.; Stirton, G.; Britton, A.J.; Craig, C.; Kyle, C-A.; Abel, C.; Macaulay, C.; Fielding, D.; Watson, H.; Pohle, I.; Robertson, J.; Maxwell, J.; Irvine, K.; Sutherland, L-A.; Dawson, L.A.; Shepherd, L.; Miller, P.; Ellis, R.; Richards, S.; Blok, V.; Hackett, C.; Kettle, H. (2018) Women in Science., The James Hutton Institute, 25pp.
- Pérez-Fernández, E.; Aitkenhead, M.; Shand, C.A.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2017) On using the precise sensor., Proceedings of the 11th European Conference in Precision Agriculture, John McIntyre Centre, Edinburgh, 16-20 July 2017. Presentation 17 July 2017.
- Hillier, S.; Brydson, R.; Delbos, E.; Fraser, T.; Gray, N.; Pendlowski, H.; Phillips, I.; Robertson, J.; Wilson, I. (2016) Correlations among the mineralogical and physical properties of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)., Clay Minerals, 51, 325-350.
- Perez-Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2016) Global and local calibrations to predict chemical and physical properties of a national spatial dataset of Scottish soils from their near infrared spectra., Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 24, 305-316.
- Robertson, A.H.; Shand, C.A.; Perez-Fernandez, E. (2016) The application of Fourier transform infrared, near infrared and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to soil analysis., Spectroscopy Europe Magazine, 28, 9-13.
- Aitkenhead, M.J.; Cameron, C.; Gaskin, G.; Choisy, B.; Coull, M.C.; Black, H.I.J.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2016) The Scottish way - getting results in soil spectroscopy without spending money., European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016 (EGU 2016), Vienna, Austria, 17-22 April 2016. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 18, EGU2016-162.
- Nocita, M.; Stevens, A.; van Wesemael, B.; Aitkenhead, M.; Bachmann, M.; Barthes, B.; Dor, E.B.; Brown, D.J.; Clairotte, M.; Csorba, A.; Dardenne, P.; Dematte, J.A.M.; Genot, V.; Guerrero, C.; Knadel, M.; Montanarella, L.; Noon, C.; Ramirez-Lopez, L.; Robertson, A.J.; Sakai, H.; Soriano-Disla, J.M.; Shepherd, K.D.; Stenberg, B.; Towett, E.K.; Vargas, R.; Wetterlind, J. (2015) Soil spectroscopy: an alternative to wet chemistry for soil monitoring., Advances in Agronomy, 132, 139-159.
- Khayamim, F.; Wetterlind, J.; Khademi, H.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Cano, A.F.; Stenberg, B. (2015) Using visible and near infrared spectroscopy to estimate carbonates and gypsum in soils in arid and subhumid regions of Isfahan, Iran., Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 23, 155-165.
- Perez-Barberia, J.; Ramsay, S.L.; Hooper, R.J.; Perez-Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Aldezabal, A.; Goddard, P.; Gordon, I.J. (2015) The influence of habitat on body size and tooth wear in Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus). (Corrigendum: vol 93, pg 61, 2015)., Canadian Journal of Zoology, 93, 249.
- Young, E.J.; McKenzie, B.M.; McNicol, J.W.; Robertson, J.; Wendler, R.; Dawson, S. (2015) Spatial trends in the wind abrasion resistance of cultivated machair soil, South Uist, Scottish Outer Hebrides., Catena, 135, 1-10.
- Perez-Barberia, J.; Ramsay, S.L.; Hooper, R.J.; Perez-Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Aldezabal, A.; Goddard, P.; Gordon, I.J. (2015) The influence of habitat on body size and tooth wear in Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus)., Canadian Journal of Zoology, 93, 61-70.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Robinson, L.J.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) In situ FTIR analysis of soils for forensic applications., FT-IR Technology for Today's Spectroscopists, August 2015.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Robinson, L.J.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) In situ FTIR analysis of forensic soil samples at a mock crime scene., Proceedings of the 4th Global Workshop on Proximal Soil Sensing in Hangzhou, China, 12-15 May 2015.
- Palacio, S.; Aitkenhead, M.J.; Escudero, A.; Montserrat-Marti, G.; Maestro, M.; Robertson, J. (2014) Gypsophile chemistry unveiled: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provides new insight into plant adaptations to gypsum soils., PLoS ONE, 9, Article No. e107285.
- Smith, S.W.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Meharg, A.A.; Pakeman, R.J.; Johnson, D.; Woodin, S.J.; van der Wal, R. (2013) Milling plant and soil material in plastic tubes over-estimates carbon and under-estimates nitrogen concentrations., Plant and Soil, 369, 509-513.
- Chapman, S.J.; Bell, J.S.; Campbell, C.D.; Hudson, G.; Lilly, A.; Nolan, A.J.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Potts, J.M.; Towers, W. (2013) Comparison of soil carbon stocks in Scottish soils between 1978 and 2009., European Journal of Soil Science, 64, 455-465.
- Aitkenhead, M.J.; Coull, M.C.; Robertson, A.J.H. (2013) Prediction of soil properties with NIR data and site descriptors using preprocessing and neural networks., International Workshop, Soil Spectroscopy: the present and future of Soil Monitoring, FAO HQ, Rome, Italy, 4-6 December 2013.
- Hillier, S.; Pendlowski, H.; Fraser, T.; Robertson, J.; Delbos, E.; Phillips, I.; Gray, N.; Wilson, I. (2013) Tubular halloysite., Minerals for Life, Appleton Tower, Edinburgh, 17-19 June 2013.
- Picon-Cochard, C.; Pilon, R.; Tarroux, E.; Pages, L.; Robertson, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2012) Effects of species, root branching order and season on the root traits of 13 perennial grass species., Plant and Soil. 353, 47-57.
- Robertson, A.H.J. (2012) Soil composition mapping by FTIR., FTIR Session and Workshop, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society's Annual Conference 2012, Greenwich, London, 12-14 September 2012.
- Dawson, L.A.; Czerniakiewicz, M.; Handley, K.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M.; Towers, W.; Donnelly, D.; Mayes, R.W. (2010) A complementary approach to the forensic analysis of soil in case investigations., International Workshop on Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, 3rd, Long Beach, California, 2-4 November 2010.
- Banhatti, R.D.; Cramer, C.; Zielnoik, D.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Ingram, M.D. (2009) Insights into ion-network interactions and ion transport in glass., Zeitschrift fur Physikalische Chemie, 223, 1201-1215.
- Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Robertson, J.; Potts, J.M.; Laggoun-Defarge, F.; Gogo, S.; Comont, L.; Disnar, J-R.; Francez, A-J. (2008) FTIR spectroscopy can be used as a screening tool for organic matter quality in regenerating cutover peatlands, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40, 515-527.
- Delbos, E.; Dawson, L.A.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.; Thornton, B. (2008) Traces of soil from archaeological artefacts: a multidisciplinary approach., International Crime Science Conference 2008, London, 17-18 July 2008.
- Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2008) Micro-scale Approaches to Soil Evidence (micro - ASE)., Science and Technology Facilities Council: SRS Experiment Report 2008.
- Robertson, J.; Delbos, E.; Dawson, L.; Angus, K.; Morrisson, A. (2007) In situ FTIR analysis of soil evidence on clothing., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
- Hillier, S.; Dawson, L.A.; Robertson, J, Delbos, E.; Shiels, J.; Campbell, S.; Mayes, R.W.; Ross, J.M. (2007) Provenancing archaeological objects using traces of soil., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
- Dawson, L.A.; Morrisson, A.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Robertson, J.; Towers, W.; Brewer, M. (2007) Soil Forensics University Network (SoilFUN) Protocols., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
- Dawson, L.A.; Morrisson, A.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Robertson, J. (2007) Soil Forensics University Network (SoilFUN) Outline., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
- Dawson, L.A.; Delbos, E.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M. (2007) Analytical investigation on soils from Roman finds., Report for National Museums of Scotland, May 2007.
- Haghi, R.; Perez Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2021) Prediction of various soil properties for a national spatial dataset of Scottish soils based on four different chemometric approaches: a comparison of near infrared and mid-infrared spectroscopy., Geoderma, 396, Article No. 115071.
- Mitchell, R.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Haghi, R.K.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Owen, I.J. (2021) Functional and ecosystem service differences between tree species: implications for tree species replacement., Trees.
- Leybourne, D.L.; Valentine, T.A.; Robertson, J.A.H.; Perez-Fernandez, E.; Main, A.M.; Karley, A.J.; Bos, J.I.B. (2019) Defence gene expression and phloem quality contribute to mesophyll and phloem resistance to aphids in wild barley., Journal of Experimental Botany, 70, 4011-4026.
- Hillier, S.; Brydson, R.; Delbos, E.; Fraser, T.; Gray, N.; Pendlowski, H.; Phillips, I.; Robertson, J.; Wilson, I. (2016) Correlations among the mineralogical and physical properties of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)., Clay Minerals, 51, 325-350.
- Perez-Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2016) Global and local calibrations to predict chemical and physical properties of a national spatial dataset of Scottish soils from their near infrared spectra., Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 24, 305-316.
- Robertson, A.H.; Shand, C.A.; Perez-Fernandez, E. (2016) The application of Fourier transform infrared, near infrared and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to soil analysis., Spectroscopy Europe Magazine, 28, 9-13.
- Nocita, M.; Stevens, A.; van Wesemael, B.; Aitkenhead, M.; Bachmann, M.; Barthes, B.; Dor, E.B.; Brown, D.J.; Clairotte, M.; Csorba, A.; Dardenne, P.; Dematte, J.A.M.; Genot, V.; Guerrero, C.; Knadel, M.; Montanarella, L.; Noon, C.; Ramirez-Lopez, L.; Robertson, A.J.; Sakai, H.; Soriano-Disla, J.M.; Shepherd, K.D.; Stenberg, B.; Towett, E.K.; Vargas, R.; Wetterlind, J. (2015) Soil spectroscopy: an alternative to wet chemistry for soil monitoring., Advances in Agronomy, 132, 139-159.
- Khayamim, F.; Wetterlind, J.; Khademi, H.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Cano, A.F.; Stenberg, B. (2015) Using visible and near infrared spectroscopy to estimate carbonates and gypsum in soils in arid and subhumid regions of Isfahan, Iran., Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 23, 155-165.
- Perez-Barberia, J.; Ramsay, S.L.; Hooper, R.J.; Perez-Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Aldezabal, A.; Goddard, P.; Gordon, I.J. (2015) The influence of habitat on body size and tooth wear in Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus). (Corrigendum: vol 93, pg 61, 2015)., Canadian Journal of Zoology, 93, 249.
- Young, E.J.; McKenzie, B.M.; McNicol, J.W.; Robertson, J.; Wendler, R.; Dawson, S. (2015) Spatial trends in the wind abrasion resistance of cultivated machair soil, South Uist, Scottish Outer Hebrides., Catena, 135, 1-10.
- Perez-Barberia, J.; Ramsay, S.L.; Hooper, R.J.; Perez-Fernandez, E.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Aldezabal, A.; Goddard, P.; Gordon, I.J. (2015) The influence of habitat on body size and tooth wear in Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus)., Canadian Journal of Zoology, 93, 61-70.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Robinson, L.J.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) In situ FTIR analysis of soils for forensic applications., FT-IR Technology for Today's Spectroscopists, August 2015.
- Palacio, S.; Aitkenhead, M.J.; Escudero, A.; Montserrat-Marti, G.; Maestro, M.; Robertson, J. (2014) Gypsophile chemistry unveiled: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provides new insight into plant adaptations to gypsum soils., PLoS ONE, 9, Article No. e107285.
- Smith, S.W.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Meharg, A.A.; Pakeman, R.J.; Johnson, D.; Woodin, S.J.; van der Wal, R. (2013) Milling plant and soil material in plastic tubes over-estimates carbon and under-estimates nitrogen concentrations., Plant and Soil, 369, 509-513.
- Chapman, S.J.; Bell, J.S.; Campbell, C.D.; Hudson, G.; Lilly, A.; Nolan, A.J.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Potts, J.M.; Towers, W. (2013) Comparison of soil carbon stocks in Scottish soils between 1978 and 2009., European Journal of Soil Science, 64, 455-465.
- Picon-Cochard, C.; Pilon, R.; Tarroux, E.; Pages, L.; Robertson, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2012) Effects of species, root branching order and season on the root traits of 13 perennial grass species., Plant and Soil. 353, 47-57.
- Banhatti, R.D.; Cramer, C.; Zielnoik, D.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Ingram, M.D. (2009) Insights into ion-network interactions and ion transport in glass., Zeitschrift fur Physikalische Chemie, 223, 1201-1215.
- Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Robertson, J.; Potts, J.M.; Laggoun-Defarge, F.; Gogo, S.; Comont, L.; Disnar, J-R.; Francez, A-J. (2008) FTIR spectroscopy can be used as a screening tool for organic matter quality in regenerating cutover peatlands, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40, 515-527.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Robinson, L.J.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) In situ FTIR analysis of soils for forensic applications., FT-IR Technology for Today's Spectroscopists, August 2015.
- Roberts, D.; Torrance, L.; Stirton, G.; Britton, A.J.; Craig, C.; Kyle, C-A.; Abel, C.; Macaulay, C.; Fielding, D.; Watson, H.; Pohle, I.; Robertson, J.; Maxwell, J.; Irvine, K.; Sutherland, L-A.; Dawson, L.A.; Shepherd, L.; Miller, P.; Ellis, R.; Richards, S.; Blok, V.; Hackett, C.; Kettle, H. (2018) Women in Science., The James Hutton Institute, 25pp.
- Robertson, J.; Donaldson-Selby, G.; Parker, T.; Main, A.; Watson, H.; Cooper, P.; Smart, C. (2022) Analysing Carbon Losses from Peatland, Zenodo, 10.5281/zenodo.7386670.
- Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2008) Micro-scale Approaches to Soil Evidence (micro - ASE)., Science and Technology Facilities Council: SRS Experiment Report 2008.
- Dawson, L.A.; Delbos, E.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M. (2007) Analytical investigation on soils from Roman finds., Report for National Museums of Scotland, May 2007.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Wetterlind, J.; Main, A.M.; Alshihabi, O. (2019) How to minimise loss in spectral quality when going from laboratory to field measurements using a portable FTIR instrument., Global Workshop on Proximal Soil Sensing (GWPSS), Linking Soil Sensing to Management Decisions, Columbia, Missouri, 28-31 May 2019, 6pp.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Pérez-Fernández, E.; Baggaley, N.J.; McKenzie, B.M.; Owen, I.J.; Lilly, A. (2019) Extending predictions of soil parameters for a national dataset., In: Engelsen, S.B., Sørensen, K.M. and van den Berg, D. (eds.). Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Near Infrared Spectroscopy (ICNIRS2017), NIR Spectroscopy at Work in Industry, Copenhagen, Denmark, 11-15 June 2017. IM Publications, Chichester, pp123-127.
- Pérez-Fernández, E.; Aitkenhead, M.; Shand, C.A.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2017) On using the precise sensor., Proceedings of the 11th European Conference in Precision Agriculture, John McIntyre Centre, Edinburgh, 16-20 July 2017. Presentation 17 July 2017.
- Aitkenhead, M.J.; Cameron, C.; Gaskin, G.; Choisy, B.; Coull, M.C.; Black, H.I.J.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2016) The Scottish way - getting results in soil spectroscopy without spending money., European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016 (EGU 2016), Vienna, Austria, 17-22 April 2016. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 18, EGU2016-162.
- Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Robinson, L.J.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) In situ FTIR analysis of forensic soil samples at a mock crime scene., Proceedings of the 4th Global Workshop on Proximal Soil Sensing in Hangzhou, China, 12-15 May 2015.
- Aitkenhead, M.J.; Coull, M.C.; Robertson, A.J.H. (2013) Prediction of soil properties with NIR data and site descriptors using preprocessing and neural networks., International Workshop, Soil Spectroscopy: the present and future of Soil Monitoring, FAO HQ, Rome, Italy, 4-6 December 2013.
- Hillier, S.; Pendlowski, H.; Fraser, T.; Robertson, J.; Delbos, E.; Phillips, I.; Gray, N.; Wilson, I. (2013) Tubular halloysite., Minerals for Life, Appleton Tower, Edinburgh, 17-19 June 2013.
- Robertson, A.H.J. (2012) Soil composition mapping by FTIR., FTIR Session and Workshop, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society's Annual Conference 2012, Greenwich, London, 12-14 September 2012.
- Dawson, L.A.; Czerniakiewicz, M.; Handley, K.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M.; Towers, W.; Donnelly, D.; Mayes, R.W. (2010) A complementary approach to the forensic analysis of soil in case investigations., International Workshop on Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, 3rd, Long Beach, California, 2-4 November 2010.
- Delbos, E.; Dawson, L.A.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.; Thornton, B. (2008) Traces of soil from archaeological artefacts: a multidisciplinary approach., International Crime Science Conference 2008, London, 17-18 July 2008.
- Robertson, J.; Delbos, E.; Dawson, L.; Angus, K.; Morrisson, A. (2007) In situ FTIR analysis of soil evidence on clothing., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
- Hillier, S.; Dawson, L.A.; Robertson, J, Delbos, E.; Shiels, J.; Campbell, S.; Mayes, R.W.; Ross, J.M. (2007) Provenancing archaeological objects using traces of soil., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
- Dawson, L.A.; Morrisson, A.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Robertson, J.; Towers, W.; Brewer, M. (2007) Soil Forensics University Network (SoilFUN) Protocols., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
- Dawson, L.A.; Morrisson, A.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Robertson, J. (2007) Soil Forensics University Network (SoilFUN) Outline., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October - 1 November 2007.
Scientific Posters / Conferences
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