I am doing soil aggregate classification to divide soil to different sized aggregates including macro-aggregate (>250) and micro-aggregate (53~250). These obtained aggregates after sieving include sand content, which is not part of aggregate. Thus, it need to remove sand before analysis of soil aggregate.
it is recommended using sodium hexametaphosphate to disperse aggregates and then sieving through a 53 sieve to remove sand. However, this may divide coarse particulate organic matter (>53 POM), which aggregate release during aggregate crush ,to the sand part when sieving. Thus, the result of organic C content would be smaller than in real aggregates.
Are there any other methods besides destroying soil aggregates?
I have a idea for a simple method by picking up sand by a tweeze because the sand should be obviously seen in the aggregate fraction. I do not know whether it is feasible. How about your opinions?
Dr. Fan, you may use nylon mesh cloth for wet sieving of sand fractions.
Thanks for your answer, Prof Tarafdar. Can you tell the detail for using nylon mesh to remove sand ?
The particles having size between 4.75mm to 75micron are sand according to indian standard. If u want sand to be separated out from the soil sample,simply you just have to sieve oven dry soil through the sieves having size of 4.75mm,2mm and 425micron after washing it with water through 75micron sieve. The particles passing through 4.75mm & retained on 75micron are the sand.
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