Methodological evolution and global scientific impact of Brazilian soil computed tomography research

This bibliometric and narrative review examines the use of computed tomography in Brazilian soil science over four decades (1985–2025). It specifically focuses on gamma-ray and X-ray tomography. A search on the Web of Science using keywords related to tomography, soil, and Brazil identified 264 articles, of which 134 were selected for detailed analysis. In earlier decades, first-generation equipment was used for scans at the millimeter scale, whereas in recent years, modern scanners, including synchrotron light sources, have been adopted. The findings indicate that a solid research field has developed, largely funded by Brazilian public agencies. Research contributions predominantly come from universities and agricultural research institutions. Notably, 60% of all published articles are concentrated in first- and second-quartile journals (Q1 and Q2). Regarding access models among classified articles ( n = 107), 51% were published under Open Access modes (including Gold, Hybrid, Green, and Bronze), while 49% were subscription-based. There is a high frequency of international collaborations, particularly with researchers in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Italy, and Germany. Additionally, 96% of the articles are published in English. The research published addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the significance of tomography in enhancing our understanding of soil structure, pore architecture, and hydraulic properties. This review concludes that Brazilian research in soil tomography has reached a relatively mature stage. Over the past four decades, the field has experienced sustained growth, increased methodological diversity, and expanded its contributions to understanding soil quality, sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate change.