Particle densities of wetland soils in northern Alberta, Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. Redding ◽  
K. J. Devito

Particle density is a fundamental soil physical property, yet values of soil and organic matter particle density (ρs and ρo) vary widely in the literature. We measured particle density of organic soils from five wetland types, and from exposed sediments of drying ponds, in northern Alberta, Canada. Our measured values of organic soil and pond sediment ρs varied widely (1.43–2.39 Mg m-3); however, calculated values of ρo (1.34–1.52 Mg m-3) were relatively constant. The measured and calculated ρs and ρo values were similar to those obtained in published studies using similar methods, but were higher than the values provided in many reference texts. Given the relatively small variability in ρo, the use of mean values of ρo, combined with measurements of organic matter loss-on-ignition, shows promise as a simple method for obtaining reliable estimates of ρs across a range of wetland types. Key words: Particle density, peat, organic matter, wetland soil, loss-on-ignition

Author(s):  
Robert F. Keefer

Soil texture can be defined as the size and proportion of the soil particles—sand, silt, and clay—that are present in a soil. . . . Sand is the largest—from 0.05 to 2mm—and considered coarse texture; consists of angular spheres or cubes. Silt is intermediate—from 0.002 to 0.05mm—and considered medium texture; consists of properties between sand and clay. Clay is the smallest, being less than 0.002mm, and considered fine texture; appears as plate-like or flakes. . . . Any individual soil can be placed on the soil textural diagram when relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay are specified. As a general rule, the type of soil can be determined by feel when squeezed between the fingers. If the soil feels harsh and gritty it would be classified as a sandy soil. One that feels smooth and not sticky or plastic would be a silt soil, and one that is sticky or plastic would be a clay. Another way to distinguish between soils is their ability to form a ribbon. Soils that will not form a ribbon are sands. Those that form a fragile ribbon are loams; those that easily form a thick ribbon are clay loams; and those that easily form a long, thin, flexible ribbon are clays. . . . To be classified a sand, the soil must have more than 45% sand. To be classified a clay, the soil must have more than 20% clay. Loam is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay in about equal proportions. It is considered “ideal” for growing plants. . . . Weight of the soil solids is called “particle density.” For most common mineral soils (soils in which organic matter is usually less than 20%), particle density is about 2.65 g/cm3. Organic soils (where organic matter is greater than 20%) are usually about half as heavy, with particle density between 1.1 to 1.4 g/cm3. This measurement would be an important factor to consider if much material was to be transported for topsoiling.


2013 ◽  
Vol 701 ◽  
pp. 310-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizal Bin Pakir ◽  
Ahmad Tarmizi Bin Abdul Karim ◽  
Felix N.L. Ling ◽  
Khairul Anuar Kassim

Organic soil is always known as problematic soil because of its engineering properties are inferior from other soft soils and/or because its behaviour may deviate from traditional rules of soil behaviour which makes it difficult to predict and design. Considerable research has been carried out over the years on organic soils, particularly peat soil which consists of various components of organic matter but the effect of particular organic matter is less reported. Hence, this study is carried out to determine the effect of humic acid (a kind of humified organic matter) on kaolin (which is widely studied). This paper addresses the influence of humic acid (30% and 50% of dry mass) on kaolins geochemistry properties namely Atterberg limits, compaction, specific gravity and Loss on Ignition (LOI). The findings of the study showed that the contents of humic acid had altered the behaviour of kaolin. The loss on ignition increased linearly with the increment of humic acid. However, the specific gravity, maximum dry density and Atterberg limits decreased with addition of humic acid. Atterberg limits decreased as the humic acid increased is believed to be due to the nature of humic acid which precipitated under acidic environment.


Author(s):  
Segun Michael Abegunde ◽  
Simeon Ajibade Akinyele ◽  
Isaac Olatunde Awonyemi

The processes involved in the conversion of cassava tuber into various products generate large volumes of wastes in solid, liquid and gaseous forms. These wastes when discharged into the environment have serious environmental impacts on the natural composition and structure of soil. The aim of this research work was to investigate the effects of cassava whey on the physicochemical properties and metal contents of soil samples around Gari facrory at Erinfun Village along Federal Polytechnic road, Ado-Ekiti. The physicochemical parameters determined were the pH, moisture content, loss on ignition, organic matter, water holding capacity, bulk density, particle density, total porosity, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and cyanide (CN). Heavy metals determined were lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe). The presence of cassava whey in the soil led to increasing soil acidity, moisture content, water holding capacity, CN, Cr, Ni, Pb and As concentrations while reductions were observed in total porosity, organic matter, loss on ignition, particle density, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations. The results show appreciable variations of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal contents when compared to the control sample.


1966 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Lund-Johansen ◽  
T. Thorsen ◽  
K. F. Støa

ABSTRACT A comparison has been made between (A), a relatively simple method for the measurement of aldosterone secretion rate, based on paper chromatography and direct densitometry of the aldosterone spot and (B) a more elaborate isotope derivative method. The mean secretion rate in 9 normal subjects was 112 ± 26 μg per 24 hours (method A) and 135 ± 35 μg per 24 hours (method B). The »secretion rate« in one adrenalectomized subject after the intravenous injection of 250 μg of aldosterone was 230 μg per 24 hours (method A) and 294 μg per 24 hours (method B). There was no significant difference in the mean values, and correlation between the two methods was good (r = 0.80). It is concluded that the densitometric method is suitable for clinical purposes as well as research, being more rapid and less expensive than the isotope derivative method. Method A also measures the urinary excretion of the aldosterone 3-oxo-conjugate, which is of interest in many pathological conditions. The densitometric method is obviously the less sensitive and a prerequisite for its use is an aldosterone secretion of 20—30 μg per 24 hours. Lower values are, however, rare in adults.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz F. Pires ◽  
André B. Pereira

Soil porosity (ϕ) is of a great deal for environmental studies due to the fact that water infiltrates and suffers redistribution in the soil pore space. Many physical and biochemical processes related to environmental quality occur in the soil porous system. Representative determinations ofϕare necessary due to the importance of this physical property in several fields of natural sciences. In the current work, two methods to evaluateϕwere analyzed by means of gamma-ray attenuation technique. The first method uses the soil attenuation approach through dry soil and saturated samples, whereas the second one utilizes the same approach but taking into account dry soil samples to assess soil bulk density and soil particle density to determineϕ. The results obtained point out a good correlation between both methods. However, whenϕis obtained through soil water content at saturation and a 4 mm collimator is used to collimate the gamma-ray beam the first method also shows good correlations with the traditional one.


Geoderma ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 286 ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schjønning ◽  
R.A. McBride ◽  
T. Keller ◽  
P.B. Obour

2016 ◽  
Vol 869 ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisca Pereira de Araújo ◽  
Edson Cavalcanti Silva Filho ◽  
João Sammy Nery de Souza ◽  
Josy Anteveli Osajima ◽  
Marcelo Barbosa Furtini

Soil-cement bricks are good examples of environmentally friendly products. This brick is the combination of soil with compacted cement with no combustion in its production. In this work the physical chemical characteristics of the soil from Piaui for producing this material were investigated. Samples of the soil were collected in three potteries from the county of Bom Jesus and pH analysis were carried out, as well as the rate of organic matter, texture, particle density, limits of liquidity and plasticity rates. The results have shown that the soils have acid tones (pH 5,49 a 6,11), which can be neutralized by adding cement, and organic matter percentages up to 1%. The samples have shown predominantly clay-rich textures with adequate plasticity limits, however, values of liquidity limits and particle density above recommended. Altogether, these soils tend to present viability concerning soil-cement brick production, provided that corrections with additives are made in order to minimize this effect.


2003 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Laure Barillé-Boyer ◽  
Laurent Barillé ◽  
Henri Massé ◽  
Daniel Razet ◽  
Maurice Héral

2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 319-325
Author(s):  
Dian Qing Lu ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
Xu Lei Hou ◽  
Xiao Mei Liu

Distribution of organic matter and effect of wetland types and pH on organic matter were studied in sediment of lakeside belt in east Dongting Lake according to taking 56 samples from surface to 20cm and 52 samples from 20cm to 40cm. The results showed that the average content of organic matter was 15.40g/kg from surface to 20cm and 12.02g/kg from 20cm to 40cm in sediment of lakeside belt in east Dongting Lake. Spatial distribution of organic matter could be expressed as middle variation. Wetland types were classed into silt beach, lake marsh beach and reed beach in Dongting Lake region and influenced distribution of organic matter because of difference variance on hydraulic dynamics condition and retarding effect of vegetation on water flow velocity. Order of organic matter content in sediment was the lake marsh beach > reed beach > silt beach in 0-20cm and 20-40cm layers in lakeside belt in east Dongting Lake. Organic matter contents decreased in turn from 0-20cm to 20-40cm in lake marsh and reed beaches and increased in silt beaches. Values of pH in sediment were slightly alkaline in whole studied region. Negative correlation was established between organic matter content and pH value. The results will provide base data and science reference for controlling and recovery of sediment pollution in east Dongting Lake.


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