SEDIMENT SIZE ANALYSIS - Nutrient Analytical Services Laboratory

8. Repeat steps 4-6 until the fluid is clear. This may take up to several liters of
SHMP solution depending on the type of sediment.
9. Rinse what remains in the beaker thoroughly with deionized water.
10. Remove contents in the beaker to the pre-weighed aluminum foil dish and dry
at 80 degrees C.
To Determine The Amount of Fines
Measure the amount of SHMP used for a specific sample and
record on the bench sheet.
Filter at least two replicate aliquots for TSS measurements/sample
on a pre weighed 47 mm GF/F filter. Dry and weigh as per a normal TSS
measurement. Record on bench sheet.
Based on the TSS result (number of grams material for a given
volume), determine the amount of fine material for the entire sample.
Enter your work on the bench sheet.
Ro-tap Sieve Method
1. Record the dry weight of the sample.
2. Place the entire sample onto the first (most coarse) sieve.
3. Ro-tap for 15 minutes. Sieve sizes routinely used are 2.0 mm, 0.5 mm,
0.25 mm, 125 micron and 60 micron and the method allows for the
flexibility to add or subtract sieves depending on the project requirements.
4. Transfer material that is retained on each sieve to a pre-weighed large
plastic weighing dish. Use a tooth brush to loosen as much material as
possible. Record the sample+weighing dish weight on the bench sheet.
Calculation
Subtract the weigh dish weight from the total amount weighed for that sieved
fraction.
Add the amount determined from the SHMP procedure to the last fraction
(