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Soil Texture Analysis: Hydrometer Method

This document outlines the hydrometer method protocol for determining soil texture. It involves dispersing soil particles in sodium hexametaphosphate solution, then taking hydrometer readings of the solution after 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 minutes, and 24 hours to measure density changes as particles settle over time. Readings are calibrated using a blank solution and temperature is recorded with each reading to account for density variations. The protocol aims to completely disperse soil into primary particles to enable accurate particle size analysis.

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Ricardo Lanfranchi
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345 views2 pages

Soil Texture Analysis: Hydrometer Method

This document outlines the hydrometer method protocol for determining soil texture. It involves dispersing soil particles in sodium hexametaphosphate solution, then taking hydrometer readings of the solution after 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 minutes, and 24 hours to measure density changes as particles settle over time. Readings are calibrated using a blank solution and temperature is recorded with each reading to account for density variations. The protocol aims to completely disperse soil into primary particles to enable accurate particle size analysis.

Uploaded by

Ricardo Lanfranchi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Soil Texture Protocol: Hydrometer Method

(adapted from Hart Lab protocol atc 7/11/2001)

A hydrometer is a simple glass float used to measure liquid density from its depth of
immersion in the given liquid. The meniscus on the hydrometer is always read at the
top of the arc, not the bottom as with a graduated cylinder. For a satisfactory particle-
size analysis the soil must be completely dispersed, that is, the secondary aggregates
must be broken down to primary particles. This procedure goes most smoothly if two
people work together on the 30 and 60 second readings. Glassware does not need to
be acid washed for this procedure- just rinsed thoroughly with deionized water.

Materials:

• Deionized Water
• 600mL beakers (plastic or glass)
• Sedimentation cylinder 1 liter or greater
• Rubber stoppers for cylinders
• Stopwatch or clock
• Solution of sodium hexametaphosphate (50g/l)
• Thermometers (2) fitted with paper clip and rubber band
• Squirt bottle with Deionized water
• 2 mm sieves
• Policeman (plastic spatula)
• Mixer, milk shake type
• Dispersing cups (blender cups with metal baffles)
• Powder funnel for transfer of solutions
• Hydrometer ASTM 152H with scale in g/l
• Flashlight or small lamp (to view meniscus)
• Amyl alcohol in dropper bottle

Soil Preparation:

1. Sieve soils down to 2mm.


2. Measure soil moisture according to soil moisture protocol in the lab (105°C)
3. Weigh 40.0 g of air-dried soil into a 600mL beaker.
4. Add 100mL of sodium hexametaphosphate solution to the soil.
5. Fill the beaker to the 500mL line with deionized water.
6. Stir this mixture with a policeman, then let stand for at least ten minutes.
7. Transfer the solution to a metal dispersing cup and use deionized water to get all the
soil out of beaker.
8. Mix for five minutes with an electric mixer. DO NOT plug the mixer into a power
source until after the cup has been put in place on the mixer and has been properly
oriented to avoid damage to the baffles.
9. Transfer this into sedimentation cylinder, using deionized water and policeman to
remove all soil from cup.

1
10. Add more deionized water to the cylinder to bring the volume to the 1000mL mark.

Hydrometer Calibration:

1. Put 100mL of the sodium hexametaphosphate in a sedimentation cylinder.


2. Add deionized water to the 1000mL mark and stir thoroughly by inverting the
cylinder at least ten times, using a rubber stopper to cover the top.
3. Carefully insert the hydrometer in the solution and read the scale at the top of the
meniscus (be sure to keep it from bouncing)
4. Then take the temperature of the solution.

Readings in the Suspension:

1. Mix the suspension using the same procedure as with the blank (invert 10 times).
2. As you place the cylinder on the counter, immediately note the time or start the
stopwatch.
3. Carefully insert the hydrometer and take readings after 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90
minutes, and 24 hours.
4. Add a drop or two of amyl alcohol if foam is present.
5. Remove and wipe down the hydrometer after each reading, except between the 30
and 60 second readings.
6. Take the temperature after each reading.
7. Measure the Calibration Cylinder with the hydrometer and the thermometer after
each sample reading.

References:
American Society for Testing Materials. 1961. ASTM Standards, Part 4

Gee, GW and JM Bauder. 1986. Partical-size analysis. In Methods of Soil Analysis,


Part 1, Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Agronomy Monogroph No. 9 (2nd edition),
American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. Pp 383-411

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