Effects of different dispersion and fine fraction determination methods on the results of routine particle size analysis

Particle-size analysis (PSA) methods to be used in routine situations need to be rapid, require no prior information about the sample and give precise results over a wide range of soil textures. Effects of three physical dispersion and two fine-fraction determination methods on PSA results were investigated over a wide range of soil textures to find the most appropriate technique for routine PSA. Interactions between physical dispersion and fine-fraction determination methods were also investigated. The reciprocating shaker produced significantly lower silt and fine sand and higher coarse sand (and clay, although not significant) values than either drink mixer or end-over-end shaker dispersions. This result was interpreted as the reciprocating shaker giving the most effective dispersion, with aggregated clay being dispersed to primary particles while coarse sand was not fragmented to fine sand or silt. The end-over-end shaker did not reliably disperse a heavy clay soil, and so cannot be recommended for routine use where similar soils may be encountered. When considered over all soils and dispersion methods, hydrometer clay and clay + silt values were higher than pipette values. These results were due to the effective depth of the hydrometer being greater, on average, than the depth of the pipette. However, there were interactions between dispersion and fine-fraction determination methods for the clay and clay +silt classes. Hydrometer values were greater than pipette values with drink mixer and end-over-end shaker dispersion, but were similar with reciprocating shaker dispersion. For the clay fraction, inferior dispersion given by the drink mixer and end-over-end shaker resulted in a significant mass of particles between the sampling depths of the pipette and hydrometer, causing the higher hydrometer values. For the clay +silt fraction, both drink mixer and end-over-end dispersion methods fragmented sands to a size which was recorded by the hydrometer but not the pipette. These interactions highlighted the requirement for effective dispersion where clay and silt are determined by the hydrometer, and may explain some of the conflicting observations of the precision of the hydrometer compared with the pipette. Reciprocating shaker physical dispersion combined with the hydrometer fine-fraction determination method was found the most appropriate PSA method combination for use in a routine situation.

Download Full-text

Effects of different dispersion and fine-fraction determination methods on the results of routine particle size analysis

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts ◽

10.1016/0148-9062(88)91511-2 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. A160

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Fine Fraction ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Determination Methods ◽

Fraction Determination

Download Full-text

Particle Size Imbalance Index from Compositional Analysis to Evaluate Cereal Sustainability for Arid Soils in Eastern Algeria

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10070296 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 296

Author(s):

Siham Zaaboubi ◽

Lotfi Khiari ◽

Salah Abdesselam ◽

Jacques Gallichand ◽

Fassil Kebede ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Management Practices ◽

Compositional Analysis ◽

Fine Sand ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Coarse Sand ◽

Richards Equation ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Fine Silt ◽

Eastern Algeria

For homogeneous fertilization and crop management practices, this work hypothesized that texture could influence cereal yield, particularly in dry regions. Particle size analysis could help improve knowledge of the soil-plant relationship to obtain favorable conditions for better yield. The objective of this work is to develop a single granulometric index for durum wheat (Triticum durum) that is well correlated with yield. For this purpose, 350 independent samples of cereal soils from eastern Algeria were taken and the recorded yields were linked to these samples. The cutoff yield, which separates sub-populations with acceptable yield from those with less acceptable yield, was determined from the inflection point of the cumulative variance ratio functions related to yield by the Richards’ equation. The result obtained is 2.0 Mg.ha−1, with a theoretical critical chi-square value of 4.2, close to 4.6, which is the critical value of r2granulo as obtained by the Cate-Nelson procedure. The five-granulometric indices were found to be symmetrical around zero as follows: ±0.83 for clay (IC), ±1.73 for fine silt (IFL), ±0.31 for coarse silt (ICL), ±0.44 for fine sand (IFS), and ±1.30 for coarse sand (ICS). The two fractions that most influence the textural imbalance are fine silt (IFL) and coarse sand (ICS), with a contribution of 41% and 37%, respectively. The critical single imbalance index r g r a n u l o 2 can be used for determining cereal suitability for soils in the arid region of eastern Algeria. The lower the r g r a n u l o 2 is, the better the soil for cereal crops.

Download Full-text

Modeling of Permanent Wilting from Particle Size Fractions of Coastal Plain Sands Soils in Southeastern Nigeria

ISRN Soil Science ◽

10.5402/2012/198303 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chinedu Innocent Obi ◽

Jude C. Obi ◽

Emmanuel U. Onweremadu

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Coastal Plain ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Coarse Sand ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Southeastern Nigeria ◽

Size Fractions ◽

Particle Size Fractions ◽

Permanent Wilting Point ◽

Wilting Point

Permanent wilting points in soils have been found to correlate significantly with particle size fractions. This study was conducted to establish functional relationship between soil particle size fractions and permanent wilting point of soils of coastal plain sands in southeastern Nigeria. A total of 102 surface samples were collected from three different dominantly Ultisols toposequences (i.e., 34 samples from each). Permanent wilting point experiment was carried out in pots with the 102 samples in the greenhouse while the particle size analysis was carried out in the laboratory. There was significant correlation among the textural separates, permanent wilting point correlated significantly with clay (, ). The general linear model showed significant differences between permanent wilting point of soils found in the upper and lower slope positions. Regression equation established that 54% of the total variation in permanent wilting point could be accounted for by the clay and coarse sand content of the soils. Prediction of permanent wilting point of Ultisols formed on coastal plain sands soils of humid tropical southeastern Nigeria will effectively depend on reliability of determination of clay and coarse sand contents of the soils.

Download Full-text

Dust Particle Size and Statistical Parameters

Atlas of Fallen Dust in Kuwait ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-66977-5_3 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 57-93

Author(s):

Noor Al-Dousari ◽

Modi Ahmed ◽

Ali Al-Dousari ◽

Musaad Al-Daihani ◽

Murahib Al-Elaj

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Grain Size ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Fine Sand ◽

Coarse Sand ◽

Optical Methods ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Coarse Silt ◽

Statistical Parameters ◽

Fine Silt

AbstractGrain ‘size’ can be specified and measured in several different ways. All methods of grain size determination have blemishes, and the choice of the most appropriate method is governed by the nature of the sample and the use to which the data are placed. Four main methods are currently used for size analysis of sands: (a) sieving; (b) settling tube analysis; (c) electro-optical methods, including Coulter Counter analysis and laser granulometry; and (d) computerized image analysis. The classification of the particle size distribution of Kuwait dust was mapped according to the parameters proposed by Folk And Ward (1957) which were widely used for quantitative comparisons between natural grain size distribution and the lognormal distribution that shows better sorted sediments have lower values of σ1. Maps of the distribution of dust in Kuwait were obtained that included: fine sand (F.S.), Coarse sand (C.S), Medium Sand (M.S), Very Fine Sane (V.F.S), Very Coarse Silt (V.C.Silt), Coarse Silt (C.Silt), Medium Silt (M.Silt), Fine Silt (F.Silt), Very Fine Silt (V.F.Silt), in addition to that, the deposition percentage of Clay, Sand, mud (silt plus clay) and silt were provided.

Download Full-text

Analysis of Dispersed Phase of Coconut Milk Emulsion

Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi ◽

10.14710/jksa.3.1.159-162 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 159-162

Author(s):

Dwi Hudiyanti

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Optical Microscopy ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Coulter Counter ◽

Coconut Milk ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Dispersed Phase ◽

Average Value ◽

Wide Range ◽

Microscopy Analysis

Experiments were conducted to study the dispersed phase of coconut milk emulsion. They were optical microscopy analysis using a Nikon Microscope and particle size analysis using a Coulter Counter Multisizer. Particle size analysis using a Coulter Counter Multisizer on both original coconut milk and homogenized coconut milk at T = 19 °C indicated that they had a wide range of particle size with average value of 5.988 + 1 .0 pm and 6.696 + 1 . 1 pm in diameter respectively. Optical microscopy analysis showed that homogenization of coconut milk after it was heated in a water bath at T = 35 °C for about 15 minutes resulted in changes of particle size, the particle size became smaller. The result lead to a conclusion that the coconut milk emulsion may be considered as a polydisperse emulsion and it indicates that the system should not be sensitive to small variations in preparation or subsequent handling.

Download Full-text

Characterization Tests for Mineral Fillers Related to Performance of Asphalt Paving Mixtures

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.3141/1638-12 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 1638 (1) ◽

pp. 101-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Prithvi S. Kandhal ◽

Cynthia Y. Lynn ◽

Frazier Parker

Keyword(s):

Methylene Blue ◽

Particle Size ◽

Permanent Deformation ◽

Fatigue Cracking ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Moisture Susceptibility ◽

Wide Range ◽

Methylene Blue Test ◽

Asphalt Paving

Various studies have shown that the properties of mineral filler, especially the material passing through a 0.075-mm (No. 200) sieve (generally called P200 material), have a significant effect on the performance of asphalt paving mixtures in terms of permanent deformation, fatigue cracking, and moisture susceptibility. However, researchers have employed different characterization tests for evaluating the P200 materials. This study was undertaken to determine which P200 characterization tests are most related to the performance of asphalt paving mixtures. Six P200 materials representing a wide range of mineralogical composition and particle size were used. These P200 materials were characterized by six tests including Rigden voids, particle size analysis, and methylene blue test. Mixes were prepared with two fines to asphalt ratios (0.8 and 1.5) by weight. Mix validation tests included the Superpave shear test for evaluating permanent deformation and fatigue cracking, and the Hamburg wheel tracking test and AASHTO T283 for evaluating moisture susceptibility of the 12 mixtures containing different P200 materials and fines to asphalt ratios. The particle sizes in microns corresponding to 60 and 10 percent passing and the methylene blue test were determined to be related to the performance of asphalt paving mixtures.

Download Full-text

Making Soil Particle Size Analysis by Laser Diffraction Compatible with Standard Soil Texture Determination Methods

Soil Science Society of America Journal ◽

10.2136/sssaj2018.10.0385 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 1244-1252 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Giovani Stefani Faé ◽

Felipe Montes ◽

Ekaterina Bazilevskaya ◽

Rodrigo Masip Añó ◽

Armen R. Kemanian

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Laser Diffraction ◽

Soil Particle ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Soil Particle Size ◽

Standard Soil ◽

Determination Methods

Download Full-text

Strategy Towards Active Food Packaging Material From Cellulose Nanoparticles and its Characterization

Letters in Applied NanoBioScience ◽

10.33263/lianbs114.42554262 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 4255-4262

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Industrial Wastes ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Cellulose Nanoparticles ◽

Active Food Packaging ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Rich ◽

Soluble Base

The utilization of agro-industrial wastes such as sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a source of cellulose has influenced a wide range of interest in various applications such as food packaging, drug delivery, paper production, etc. Owing to the rich source of cellulose in SCB, the nanoparticle was prepared efficiently. The pure form of cellulose was isolated from SCB by eliminating the remaining components such as hemicellulose and lignin by treating SCB with a soluble base and a bleaching agent. Cellulose nanoparticles were synthesized from the purified cellulose by acid hydrolysis using H2SO4 followed by dialysis to remove sulfate ions and attain neutrality. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy that helped to confirm the exclusion of lignin and hemicellulose. The crystalline nature of the cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) was confirmed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The morphology of CNPs was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the particle size of CNPs was found to be 189 nm by particle size analysis (PSA). Further, this study proved the nanomaterial preparation from agro-wastes can be utilized to develop food packaging film in food industries.

Download Full-text

FIBER CONTENT, PARTICLE-SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND SOME RELATED PROPERTIES OF FOUR PEAT MATERIALS IN EASTERN CANADA

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss77-023 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 187-195 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

M. LEVESQUE ◽

H. DINEL

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Size Fraction ◽

Chemical Characterization ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Fiber Content ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

Effective Dispersion

The effects of dispersion and sieving on the determination of fiber content was studied using four peat materials selected for their range of properties. In addition, a method of particle-size analysis of peat materials and chemical characterization data of the particular-size fraction are presented. Controlling the sieving operation effected a reduction in the coefficient of variation of the fiber content data to 2.7% as compared with 26.7% for the conventional rubbed fiber method. The somewhat more effective dispersion of the peat in 0.025 M pyrophosphate than in water did not compensate for the associated disadvantage of increased ash content of the pyrophosphate-treated samples. Thus, the recommended procedure involves dispersion of peat in water for 16 h. The proportion of the 100-mesh (0.15-mm) fraction reflected both the stage of decomposition and the botanical origin of the peat materials. Thus, particle-size fraction would be useful in the characterization of peat materials. Cation exchange capacity and content of both Fe and P varied inversely with particle size.

Download Full-text

How does pretreatment of dry steppe soils affect particle size analysis by laser diffraction?

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-9415 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Moritz Koza ◽

Aleksey Prays ◽

Andrej Bondarovich ◽

Kanat Akshalov ◽

Christopher Conrad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Diffraction Method ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Laser Diffraction ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Dry Steppe ◽

Land Use Types ◽

Wide Range ◽

Binding Agents ◽

Sample Dispersion

After extensive research on different methods to measure particle size distribution (PSD), soil scientists are proposing the laser diffraction method (LDM) as a standard method for soil texture analysis. However, the effects of different pretreatments on particle size analysis of dry steppe soils with LDM has not been tested so far. This study aims to evaluate different pretreatment methods with the purpose to disperse aggregates and remove binding agents in Chernozem and Kastanozem soils. To cover a wide range of different land-use types and farming methods, 112 surface soil samples were taken from 13 fields on four different test sites in Kazakhstan. Before LDM analysis, all samples were pretreated with either H2O2 to remove organic carbon or HCl to remove carbonates. The results showed that removing organic matter with H2O2 led to complete sample dispersion while HCl pretreatment caused incomplete dispersion, likely due to aggregation by calcium ions released by the dissolution of carbonates.

Download Full-text