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A METHOD FOR SOIL PARTICLE‐SIZE ANALYSIS USING ULTRASONIC DISAGGREGATION
Author(s) -
PRITCHARD D. T.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 0022-4588
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1974.tb01100.x
Subject(s) - aeration , ultrasonic sensor , particle size , soil water , materials science , environmental science , process engineering , acoustics , soil science , waste management , chemical engineering , engineering , physics
Summary A method for routine particle‐size analysis of soils is described which is quicker than methods using peroxide. Organic matter is destroyed by ignition at 400°C and an ultrasonic bath is used for disaggregation. The efficiency of ultrasonic baths for this purpose is affected by the temperature, aeration status, and depth of water in the tank; the nature, size, and depth of immersion of the sample vessel; and also the ratio of solid to liquid in the sample vessel. Standardization is preferably based on the effect of treatment on standard materials, rather than the energy output of the apparatus used. It is difficult to differentiate between aggregates and primary particles, and to choose a method applicable to all soils.