Particle Shape, Flocculation, And Disaggregation - Campbell OBS-5+ Operator's Manual

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OBS-5+ System

10.3 Particle Shape, Flocculation, and Disaggregation

FIGURE 10-2. Near-infrared reflectivity of minerals

Particle shape can be an interfering factor. The sensitivity of an OBS-5+

sensor to plate-shaped particles is about ten times higher than it is to spherical

particles. Disaggregation of dry sediment by grinding can cause the sediment

to become finer grained than it was in the environment and this will bias a

sediment calibration. A good example of how much OBS-5+ readings can

change as a result of the disaggregation is shown in FIGURE 10-3. The slope

of each line on the graph indicates the sensitivity of an OBS sensor when

calibrated with sediment disaggregated in a particular way. The more

mechanically aggressive a disaggregation method is, the more sensitive the

sensor will be. Sediments susceptible to disaggregation effects include: 1)

organic-rich estuarine mud, 2) cohesive and flocculated suspended matter, and

3) clay-rich sediment.

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