[USCC] Soil texture analysis lab procedure

[Greg Evanylo]

An alternative to the hydrometer method is the pipette method, which 
was developed in the early 1920's and adopted by the International 
Society of Soil Science in 1929. This sedimentation procedure was 
modified with time, especially with regard to dispersion, and 
included in the initial ASA Methods of Soil Science: Day, P.R. 1965. 
Particle fractionation and particle-size analysis. p. 545-567. In 
C.A. Black et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis: Physical and 
mineralogical properties, including statistics  of measurements and 
sampling. Agronomy 9. American Society of Agronomy.

The monograph was revised and updated in 1986.

greg

At 11:56 AM 6/30/2007, Craig Coker wrote:
>Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade Show
>Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
>The National forum for those involved in the development and 
>expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
>Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and 
>Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website: 
>www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Colleagues:
>
>
>
>Can anyone recommend soil texture testing procedures other than the
>Bouyoucos Hydrometer method?  A client of mine is making up manufactured
>specialty soils from their compost plus rock fines from a nearby quarry.
>Apparently, this texture analysis procedure is giving false readings on Clay
>content in the manufactured soil sample due to the turbidity of the water
>(the finest of the rock fines) in the hydrometer, which is causing the soil
>mix to not meet the landscape architect's spec of no more than 5% clay
>content.
>
>
>
>Many thanks!
>
>Craig
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Craig Coker
>
>Coker Composting & Consulting
>
>3331 Glade Creek Blvd.  Ste. 7
>
>Roanoke, VA  24012
>
>(540) 904-2698  Fax: (540) 904-6732
>
>Cell: (540) 874-5168
>
>  <mailto:craigcoker at cox.net> craigcoker at cox.net
>
>  <http://www.cokercompost.com> www.cokercompost.com
>
>
>
>Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
>February 8 - 12th, 2008 at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland,
>California. Check it out at www.compostingcouncil.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
>This month's sponsor of the USCC Discussion List is:
>
>Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy 
>e-mail alert service for environmental, food and agricultural 
>industry professionals.
>Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC at fien.com --- www.fien.com
>
>_______________________________________
>This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
>(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
>Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the 
>Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>
>Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its 
>website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
>Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have 
>their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and 
>information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other 
>options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
>For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, 
>send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org

Greg Evanylo
Professor and Extension Specialist
Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences (0403)
426 Smyth Hall, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Ph: 540/231-9739;  Fax: 540/231-3075
gevanylo at vt.edu