TECHNIQUES FOR PARTICLE SIZE DATA STANDARDIZATION: AN EXAMPLE FORM ESTUARINE AND COASTAL SEDIMENTS

A variety of sediment types exist in estuarine and coastal environments. Sediments are generally consisted of gravels, sands, silts and clays, varying between -4φ and 10φ. It is difficult for traditional techniques of particle size analysis to fulfill the task of "one sample, one output with one measurement". Image analysis technique can be used as the standard method for particle size analysis. In this study, a new particle size and image analyzer was used, combined with microscopic method, to standardize the outputs of mainstream particle size analysis instruments, Thus, there is a possible "common language" for the standardization of sediment data obtained by different methods. On this basis, an universal usage software for the calculation of grain size parameters and the nomenclature of sediments can be developed to fill the gap in the field of classic sediment analysis techniques.