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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2004; v. 232; p. 63-73;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2004.232.01.08
© 2004 Geological Society of London

Particle size analysis by laser diffraction

Simon J. Blott1, Debra J. Croft1, Kenneth Pye1,2, Samantha E. Saye1 & Helen E. Wilson2

1 Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd, Crowthorne Enterprise Centre, Crowthorne Business Estate, Old Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, RG45 6AW, UK s.blott{at}kpal.co.uk
2 Department of Geology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK

Particle size distribution is a fundamental property of any sediment or soil, and particle size determination can provide important clues to sediment provenance. For forensic work, the particle size distribution of sometimes very small samples requires precise determination using a rapid and reliable method with a high resolution. A protocol has been developed using a CoulterTM LS230 laser granulometer, which can analyse particles in the size range 0.04 µm–2000µm. The technique is essentially non-destructive, permitting the recovery of critical samples, and has been demonstrated to have high precision for a range of soils, sediments and powders of interest in forensic investigations.