Laser Diffraction as An Innovative Alternative to Standard Pipette Method for Determination of Soil Texture Classes in Central Europe

The paper presents the comparison of soil particle size distribution determined by standard pipette method and laser diffraction. Based on the obtained results (542 soil samples from 271 sites located in the Nitra, Váh and Hron River basins), regression models were calculated to convert the results of the particle size distribution by laser diffraction to pipette method. Considering one of the most common soil texture classification systems used in Slovakia (according to Novák), the emphasis was placed on the determination accuracy of particle size fraction <0.01 mm. Analysette22 MicroTec plus and Mastersizer2000 devices were used for laser diffraction. Polynomial regression model resulted in the best approximation of measurements by laser diffraction to values obtained by pipette method. In the case of particle size fraction <0.01 mm, the differences between the measured values by pipette method and both laser analyzers ranged in average from 3% up to 9% and from 2% up to 11% in the case of Analysette22 and Mastersizer2000, respectively. After correction, the differences decreased to average 3.28% (Analysette22) and 2.24% (Mastersizer2000) in comparison with pipette method. After recalculation of the data, laser diffraction can be used alongside the sedimentation methods.

Download Full-text

Particle-Size Distribution Models for the Conversion of Chinese Data to FAO/USDA System

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/109310 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wei Shangguan ◽

YongJiu Dai ◽

Carlos García-Gutiérrez ◽

Hua Yuan

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Texture Classification ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Logistic Growth ◽

United States Department ◽

Data Points

We investigated eleven particle-size distribution (PSD) models to determine the appropriate models for describing the PSDs of 16349 Chinese soil samples. These data are based on three soil texture classification schemes, including one ISSS (International Society of Soil Science) scheme with four data points and two Katschinski’s schemes with five and six data points, respectively. The adjusted coefficient of determinationr2, Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), and geometric mean error ratio (GMER) were used to evaluate the model performance. The soil data were converted to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) standard using PSD models and the fractal concept. The performance of PSD models was affected by soil texture and classification of fraction schemes. The performance of PSD models also varied with clay content of soils. The Anderson, Fredlund, modified logistic growth, Skaggs, and Weilbull models were the best.

Download Full-text

Particle Size Distribution of Various Soil Materials Measured by Laser Diffraction—The Problem of Reproducibility

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min11050465 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 465

Author(s):

Cezary Polakowski ◽

Magdalena Ryżak ◽

Agata Sochan ◽

Michał Beczek ◽

Rafał Mazur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Normal Distribution ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Precise Measurement ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Diffraction Method ◽

Laser Diffraction ◽

Method Analysis

Particle size distribution is an important soil parameter—therefore precise measurement of this characteristic is essential. The application of the widely used laser diffraction method for soil analysis continues to be a subject of debate. The precision of this method, proven on homogeneous samples, has been implicitly extended to soil analyses, but this has not been sufficiently well confirmed in the literature thus far. The aim of this study is to supplement the information available on the precision of the method in terms of reproducibility of soil measurement and whether the reproducibility of soil measurement is characterized by a normal distribution. To estimate the reproducibility of the laser diffraction method, thirteen various soil samples were characterized, and results were analysed statistically. The coefficient of variation acquired was lowest (3.44%) for silt and highest for sand (23.28%). Five of the thirteen tested samples were characterized by a normal distribution. The fraction content of eight samples was not characterized by normal distribution, but the extent of this phenomenon varied between soils. Although the laser diffraction method is repeatable, the measurement of soil particle size distribution can have limited reproducibility. The main cause seems to be small amounts of sand particles. The error can be amplified by the construction of the dispersion unit. Non-parametric statistical tests should be used by default for soil laser diffraction method analysis.

Download Full-text

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for rapid screening of particle size in soils

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-5307 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maame Croffie ◽

Paul N. Williams ◽

Owen Fenton ◽

Anna Fenelon ◽

Karen Daly

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Parent Material ◽

Fluorescence Spectrometry ◽

Rapid Screening ◽

Size Analysis ◽

X Ray

Soil texture is an essential factor for effective land management in agricultural production. Knowledge of soil texture and particle size at field scale can aid with on-going soil management decisions. Standard soil physical and gravimetric methods for particle size analysis are time-consuming and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) provides a rapid and cost-effective alternative. The objective of this study was to explore the use of XRF as a predictor for particle size. An extensive archive of Irish soils with particle size and soil texture data was used to select samples for XRF analysis. Regression and correlation analyses on XRF determined results showed that the relationship between Rb and % clay varied with soil type and was dependent on the parent material. There was a strong relationship (R > 0.62, R2>0.30, p<0.05) between Rb and clay for soils originating from bedrock such as limestones and slate. Contrastingly, no significant relationship (R<0.03, R2=0.00, p>0.05) exists between Rb and % clay for soils originating from granite and gneiss. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation (p<0.05) between Rb and % sand. The XRF is a useful technique for rough screening of particle size distribution in soils originating from certain parent materials. Thus, this may contribute to the rapid prediction of soil texture based on knowledge of the particle size distribution.&#160;

Download Full-text

Digital microscopic image application (DMIA), an automatic method for particle size distribution analysis in waste activated sludge

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2021.102 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

S. Cazares ◽

J. A. Barrios ◽

C. Maya ◽

G. Velásquez ◽

M. Pérez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Activated Sludge ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Particle Diameter ◽

Diffraction Method ◽

Laser Diffraction ◽

Waste Activated Sludge ◽

Equivalent Diameter ◽

Distribution Analysis

Abstract An important physical property in environmental samples is particle size distribution. Several processes exist to measure particle diameter, including change in electrical resistance, blocking of light, the fractionation of field flow and laser diffraction (these being the most commonly used). However, their use requires expensive and complex equipment. Therefore, a Digital Microscopic Imaging Application (DMIA) method was developed adapting the algorithms used in the Helminth Egg Automatic Detector (HEAD) software coupled with a Neural Network (NN) and Bayesian algorithms. This allowed the determination of particle size distribution in samples of waste activated sludge (WAS), recirculated sludge (RCS), and pretreated sludge (PTS). The recirculation and electro-oxidation pre-treatment processes showed an effect in increasing the degree of solubilization (DS), decreasing particle size and breakage factor with ranges between 44.29%, and 31.89%. Together with a final NN calibration process, it was possible to compare results. For example, the 90th percentile of Equivalent Diameter (ED) value obtained by the DMIA with the corresponding result for the laser diffraction method. DMIA values: 228.76 μm (WAS), 111.18 μm (RCS), and 84.45 μm (PTS). DMIA processing has advantages in terms of reducing complexity, cost and time, and offers an alternative to the laser diffraction method.

Download Full-text

Application of laser diffraction method for determination

Research in Agricultural Engineering ◽

10.17221/2133-rae ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 53 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 34-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M. Ryzak ◽

A. Bieganowski ◽

R.T. Walczak

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Podzolic Soil ◽

Diffraction Method ◽

Laser Diffraction ◽

Soil Material ◽

New Methods ◽

Particle Size Distribution Measurement ◽

Straight Lines

Particle size distribution affects many physical soil properties and processes taking place in soil. There are many methods to determine the particle size distribution. The most frequently used are the sieve, sieve-pipette and sedimentation methods. Technological progress in electronics permitted a wide use of new methods of particle size distribution measurement in soil, e.g. the laser diffraction method. A comparison of particle size distribution obtained with the universally used areometer method (Cassagrande, modified by Prószynski) with results from the laser diffraction method for soil material received from grey-brown podzolic soil is presented in this work. The largest differences between the results were obtained for the smallest fraction determined with the areometer and laser diffraction methods. In a majority of other cases the slopes of interpolated straight lines were contained within the range of 0.81 ÷ 1.09.

Download Full-text

Change in Soil Particle Size Distribution and Erodibility with Latitude and Vegetation Restoration Chronosequence on the Loess Plateau, China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17030822 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 822 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jiaying Zhai ◽

Yahui Song ◽

Wulan Entemake ◽

Hongwei Xu ◽

Yang Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Loess Plateau ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Steppe Zone ◽

Soil Erodibility ◽

The Loess Plateau ◽

Capacity Dimension ◽

Restoration Age

Analyzing the dynamics of soil particle size distribution (PSD) and erodibility is important for understanding the changes of soil texture and quality after cropland abandonment. This study aimed to determine how restoration age and latitude affect soil erodibility and the multifractal dimensions of PSD during natural recovery. We collected soil samples from grassland, shrubland, and forests with different restoration ages in the steppe zone (SZ), forest-steppe zone (FSZ), and forest zone (FZ). Various analyses were conducted on the samples, including multifractal analysis and erodibility analysis. Our results showed that restoration age had no significant effect on the multifractal dimensions of PSD (capacity dimension (D0), information dimension (D1), information dimension/capacity dimension ratio (D1/D0), correlation dimension (D2)), and soil erodibility. Multifractal dimensions tended to increase, while soil erodibility tended to decrease, with restoration age. Latitude was negatively correlated with fractal dimensions (D0, D2) and positively correlated with K and D1/D0. During vegetation restoration, restoration age, precipitation, and temperature affect the development of vegetation, resulting in differences in soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil texture, and soil enzyme activity, and by affecting soil structure to change the soil stability. This study revealed the impact of restoration age and latitude on soil erosion in the Loess Plateau.

Download Full-text

The role of permanent site factors in the assessment of soil treatment effects: A case study with a site preparation trial in jack pine plantations on glacial outwashes

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss06044 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 81-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

F. Marquis ◽

D. Paré

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Tree Growth ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Quality Index ◽

Jack Pine ◽

Site Preparation ◽

Pine Plantations ◽

Site Quality

In silvicultural trials, the confounding influence of permanent soil properties is assumed to be minimal. A covariance analysis using total elemental concentrations of parent material (geochemistry) and soil particle size distribution (texture) was used to understand the role that these variables could play in tree growth and foliar nutrient status, and in the growth response to site preparation of 16- to18-yr-old jack pine plantations growing on seemingly homogeneous glacial outwash deposits. Three treatments were tested in a replicated design: direct plantation, and site preparation with TTS or with Bräcke. The combination of particle size distribution and soil geochemistry explained the site quality index (SQI) in control plots (R2 = 0.94) better than soil texture alone. In all plots, SQI was strongly related to K and Mg concentrations in foliage and in humus and, to a lesser degree, to foliar N concentrations. A covariance analysis using soil texture and geochemical composition indicated that while site preparation had an effect on tree growth, the sites that responded the most to site preparation were the ones with the lowest growth potential as determined by soil texture and geochemistry. Key words: Silviculture, site preparation, site quality index, growth, permanent soil factors, texture, geochemistry, nutrition

Download Full-text