Soil and sediment samples

For soil samples (e.g. till), we recommend drying at 70 °C (Method 10) and sieving to < 0.06 mm fraction (Method 24). If mercury or other volatile components are to be determined, lower drying temperatures must be used. High drying temperatures may also cause oxidation of some minerals. Other sieve fractions (< 0.125 < 0.25 < 0.5 mm) can be used upon client’s request. When requesting sieving, please indicate the fraction to be analysed. If coarse sieve fractions are used for analysis, additional pulverizing is regularly required (Method 40).

For some purposes, the entire soil sample (weathered bedrock) or a coarse sieved fraction of the sample can also be crushed and/or pulverised.