We are interested in studying the porosity of two layers of sediment with very different density (one layer being very fluffy) in the field. Any idea how to do it without disrupting much of the original pore space? Thank you in advance.
Try the the double ring Muntz method.
It is widely used for soils and sediments.
http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_4/hydrologie/16562.pdf
http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1544f/report.pdf
The standard method used on FUSRAP sites for determining the total porosity of soil materials is described in Appendix II of DOA (1970). Further discussion on this methodology is also presented in Danielson and Sutherland (1986).
Tricky:
- pycnometer e.g. Ruska or air, but you would need to extract an undisturbed sample
- as in oilfield well logging: density (gamma, gamma) radiation, (neutron, neutron) radiation, sonic.
- infiltration/permeability proxy, previously suggested has its drawbacks too
If it is lithified, I would take core plugs back to a rock mechanics or engineering geology lab. Their equipment would determine the plug size you need to extract.
I prefer the neutron porosity log equipment which could be applied any kind of media, using simple boreholes opened via augher (opened without using any borehole liquid)...you can use this equipment also in superficial environments such as trenches etc...but application need profession of course...
Hi Chin
Sorry I miss read your question, I though you were asking about permeability, but rather porosity. The answers given by Karbassi, Robin and Yahya are all relevent.
You can also use the classical method of taking undisturbed samples using stainless steel cylinders and measure porosity porosity on them in the lab.
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