The development of soil porosity in experimental sandy soils with clay admixtures as examined by quantimet 720 from besi and by other techniques

Abstract

For this study thin sections have been prepared of natural and artificial sands mixed with 20% and 40% clay. These and other samples had already been examined using soil physical and soil mineralogical methods for loose samples. Initial thin section studies, with the help of the light microscope alone, have been enlarged upon in this investigation using backscattered electron scanning images and an image analyzer (Quantimet 720). This allowed quantitative information to be obtained on the development of different types of soil porosity patterns using various clay admixtures. Information was also obtained on the influence the form of mineral grains had on the shape of pores in the mixtures of sand and clay. It was also possible to obtain quantitative information on the amount of clays and larger mineral grains in the thin sections. Much of the present data cannot be obtained automatically but must be manually controlled by using the image editor of the Quantimet. This type of work, however, may provide basic data which can subsequently be used to help explain various processes which occur in soils.