Hello, i would like to be advised on the duration of drying needed for a soil sample for me to completely access their moisture content to calculate Bulk Density.
There are literature that indicates that the soil samples needed to be dried until their weight becomes stable or does not decrease anymore. Following this method, i subjected my samples into the oven, under 105 Celsius. For my samples weight to stabilize it took around 3 weeks.
Is there a method to dry the soils in shorter period of time and obtaining their soil moisture content ? Can you please direct me to a good literature on this method ?
Dear Mathavan
The drying time depends on texture of soil; however, 3 weeks is a very long time. Try to disperse the soil over an aluminum foil with a thickness not more than 0.5 Cm. In this way your samples may dry off within 48 hours.
Truly yours
karbassi
Dear Mathavan:
I think that 48 to 72 hours is enough and then introduce the soil sample into a container with calcium cloride. It will remove the residual soil moisture.
Bests regards
Dr. Millan
I normally dry soil samples for moisture determination for 72 hours at 105 degrees C in a forced air oven or dryer. this time frame is satisfactory for most soils.
Basically, if not for density calculations, you are interested in the soil water that plants can extract.
Therefore, drying 24 to 72 hours, depending on the soil, is enough in such cases.
In your case of density calculations, it matters with how much accuracy you want to work. The drying is exponential and more than 72 hours will add very little to the weight of the lost water.
Cheers, Kees
Air driven drying for dispersed soil at 105 degree Celcius is enough for 72 hours. But in case of high clay soil the time may be extended till constant weight. If the sample is in clod form, definitely you have to wait till weight is constant.
Dears;
As per ASTM D2216, the drying temperature is about 105 c. This temperature is quite true for soil which contain small amounts of salts and organics.
In order to reduce the degree of dehydration of gypsum in those materials containing gypsum, or to reduce decomposition in highly organic soils, it may be desirable to dry these materials at 60°C or in a desiccator at room temperature.
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