Comparing Methods for Determining Particle-Size Distribution

Summary

Particle size analysis can be time consuming and expensive. Effective time and money management have the potential to contribute to more accurate particle size analysis results. Here we compare various pretreatment procedures to determine which is more efficient. Coarse-fraction was determined for nine sediment samples by sifting through nested sieves with standard mesh sizes #5, #10, #35, and #60 to compare wet-screening to mechanical dry-screening. Carbon was then removed from the smaller than #60 sub-sample by combustion, and fine-fraction was then calculated using laser diffraction. Results show that there is no significant difference between the wet and dry screening. These results suggest that whichever method is more advantageous financially would be the best choice of particle-size analysis.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Student Contributions in Geoarchaeology

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