Canada
CLRA Saskatchewan Lunch & Learn presented by Dwayne Bennett is a national technical specialist for ALS Environmental (Canada).
Consideration of Particle Size and soil texture can be of critical importance for environmental assessment, remediation, and engineering projects. Soil particle size assessments (e.g. coarse/fine) can greatly influence applicable environmental standards or guidelines, sometimes by several orders of magnitude. Particle size and soil texture measurements also influence fertilizer recommendations for agriculture, and can provide critical information for engineering and construction projects.
In several provinces (including Alberta and Saskatchewan), some form of Particle Size Analysis (PSA) is usually required to determine applicable environmental guidelines or standards, which means the accuracy of PSA measurements can influence whether remediation is required for a specific site. Furthermore, there are important distinctions that vary between provinces for how PSA measures must be made, especially for coarse soils with a significant component of the > 2 mm fraction. For example, Saskatchewan fine/coarse classification of soil material includes the greater than 2 mm while other regions may not.
Particle Size Analysis (PSA) is comprised of several different tests which, when combined, can provide detailed information regarding soil texture and properties. Sieve testing is used for the larger particle sizes such as sand or cobbles, while sedimentation methods are used for smaller particle sizes (silts and clays). Sedimentation methods rely on Stokes’ Law which states that larger particles will settle faster than smaller particles of similar density. Two different sedimentation methods are commonly used: the pipette method, and hydrometer method.
This presentation will provide an overview of different methods of particle size determination and their applications. And, will specifically review differences in how particle size measures affect environmental regulatory criteria in Saskatchewan versus other Canadian provinces, which are sometimes poorly understood.
CLRA members can register here.
Non-members are welcome and can register here.