Characterization methods for soils and sediments
Resource Type:
Overview article
Format:
Web Page
Date of creation:
10 January 2024
Library code:
13145
Norlab offers a whole range of testing and sample preparation instruments for soil science.
Soil samples are complex types of samples because they consist of mixtures of very different compositions. Small pores e.g. micropores in humus often play a key role in soils, whereas sediments are often characterized by particle size and particle shape. Water repellency and water absorption can be studied with contact angle measuring systems.
| Parameter | Method | Instrument |
|---|---|---|
| BET surface area and pore analysis | Gas adsorption | 3P micro series 3P meso series 3P sync series 3P surface DX |
| Density | Gas pycnometry | 3P densi 100 |
| Particle shape | Image analysis | BeVision D2 Bettersizer S3 Plus |
| Particle size, nanometer range | Dynamic light scattering | BeNano series |
| Particle size, powders | Laser diffraction | Bettersizer S3 Plus Bettersizer S3 Bettersizer 2600 Bettersizer ST |
| pH for demanding applications | ISFET pH sensor Measuring soil pH | ConeFET probe for soil |
| Pore volume and size distribution | Mercury intrusion porosimetry | Contract analysis Please ask for a quote |
| Soil water absorption | Dynamic contact angle measurement | Dynamic contact angle measuring devices and tensiometers |
| Soil water repellency | Optical contact angle measurement | Optical contact angle systems |
| Tap density | Tap volumetry | |
| Water uptake and release | Dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) | 3P graviSorb series |