Last week we collected sediment samples to see if there was a correlation between grain size and vegetation coverage. Because sediment is material that has been eroded by the forces of nature, I collected my sample at the beach. My intent was to avoid collecting soil.
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| Sample collection area |
I also collected my control sample three meters east of this location.
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| Control collection area |
I collected two cups of sediment from each site and put it in labeled bags. I recorded location, time of day, temperature, humidity, wind direction, and speed. I then transported it to the lab for further analysis. Back at the Lab...
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| Lab Equipment |
I measured, weighed, sieved, and re-weighed my samples. I recorded the data and errors; We then shared our findings with each other.
We agreed to use the 150um sieve; most of us ended up with a much larger percent of larger grain sized particles. I tried the 425um sieve to see how the results might change; it completely changed to a larger percent of smaller grain sized particles.
In the end I think that using a 220um to 275um sieve might give us a better separation between grain sizes; that will give us better data to compare.
Very professionally done, Jeff. I think I'll use this in the future as an example of what these posts SHOULD look like!
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