2.4 Particle‐Size Analysis

Particle-size analysis (PSA) data can be presented and used in several ways, the most common being a cumulative particle-size distribution curve. Particle-size analysis is often used in soil science to evaluate soil texture. Soil texture is based on different combinations of sand, silt, and clay separates that make up the particle-size distribution of a soil sample. Pretreatment of samples to enhance the separation or dispersion of aggregates is a key step in PSA and is generally recommended since many soils contain aggregates that are not readily dispersed. Comparisons of PSA results should always include comparisons of the pretreatment and dispersion methods used. The chapter describes three methods of PSA:…