Assessing Repeatability and Precision of Dosing Techniques in Soil Particle Size Distribution Analysis Using Laser Diffraction

Assessing Repeatability and Precision of Dosing Techniques in Soil Particle Size Distribution Analysis Using Laser Diffraction

Paper in proceedings outside WoS and Scopus

This study investigates the precision and reliability of various dosing repeatability techniques for laser diffraction particle size analysis in soil samples, focusing on the impact of dosing methods on measurement reproducibility and accuracy. Three different dosing techniques (A) manual pipetting with a shaker, (B) a mash using a spatula, and (C) a dried sample using a spatula) were evaluated using a laser diffraction analyser. Soil samples representing sandy, loamy, and clayey types were analysed to assess the relative standard deviations (SD) for particle size measurements. The results were compared to traditional pipetting methods to identify discrepancies and evaluate the impact of dosing techniques on measurement precision. Significant variations in measurement precision were observed among the dosing techniques. Manual pipetting technique (A) exhibited higher relative SDs, with average values of 22.4%, indicating substantial variability and lower repeatability. In contrast, techniques B and C achieved lower relative SDs, averaging 8.1 % and 7.9 %, respectively. The study also confirmed that laser diffraction tends to underreport clay fractions and overreport silt fractions compared to pipetting. The results highlight the critical role of dosing technique in determining measurement precision for laser diffraction particle size analysis. Carefully optimized manual methods (such as techniques B or C) can still achieve high levels of precision, approaching those of automated dosing systems. These insights are essential for improving analytical practices and ensuring reliable soil particle size measurements in various applications.

This study investigates the precision and reliability of various dosing repeatability techniques for laser diffraction particle size analysis in soil samples, focusing on the impact of dosing methods on measurement reproducibility and accuracy. Three different dosing techniques (A) manual pipetting with a shaker, (B) a mash using a spatula, and (C) a dried sample using a spatula) were evaluated using a laser diffraction analyser. Soil samples representing sandy, loamy, and clayey types were analysed to assess the relative standard deviations (SD) for particle size measurements. The results were compared to traditional pipetting methods to identify discrepancies and evaluate the impact of dosing techniques on measurement precision. Significant variations in measurement precision were observed among the dosing techniques. Manual pipetting technique (A) exhibited higher relative SDs, with average values of 22.4%, indicating substantial variability and lower repeatability. In contrast, techniques B and C achieved lower relative SDs, averaging 8.1 % and 7.9 %, respectively. The study also confirmed that laser diffraction tends to underreport clay fractions and overreport silt fractions compared to pipetting. The results highlight the critical role of dosing technique in determining measurement precision for laser diffraction particle size analysis. Carefully optimized manual methods (such as techniques B or C) can still achieve high levels of precision, approaching those of automated dosing systems. These insights are essential for improving analytical practices and ensuring reliable soil particle size measurements in various applications.

Soil Particle Size Distribution (PSD); Laser Diffraction Analysis; Sample Dosing Techniques; Repeatability Assessment; Standard Deviation Analysis

Soil Particle Size Distribution (PSD); Laser Diffraction Analysis; Sample Dosing Techniques; Repeatability Assessment; Standard Deviation Analysis

PASEKA, S.

12.03.2025

Mendel University in Brno

Křtiny

978-80-7701-024-5

CONTEMPLATING EARTH

Soil and Landscape

33

46

14

https://doi.mendelu.cz/pdfs/doi/9900/07/7300.pdf