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Application of ultrasound to disperse soil aggregates of high mechanical stability
Author(s) -
Kaiser Michael,
Berhe Asmeret A.,
Sommer Michael,
Kleber Markus
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.201200077
Subject(s) - sonication , dispersion (optics) , aggregate (composite) , ultrasonic sensor , materials science , stability (learning theory) , composite material , mineralogy , chemical engineering , chemistry , chromatography , physics , acoustics , optics , machine learning , computer science , engineering
Questions remain about the exact ultrasonic energy level that is required to effectively disperse soil aggregates and to what extent this is accompanied by physical damage to individual soil particles. We found maximum aggregate dispersion at energy levels of 1500 J cm –3 and no evidence for the disintegration of particles < 20 μm even at that energy level. Our findings suggest that sonication at energies much greater than those applied conventionally can disperse aggregates of high mechanical stability.