NMBAQC

Particle Size Analysis

Contract Manager:   Myles O' Reilly, SEPA

Component Administrator (1994 - 2010): David Hall, Thomson Unicomarine

Particle Size (PS)

PS samples are derived from either aggregate material or natural marine sediments. Details of their collection and preparation can be found in the Scheme's Annual Reports. In each case a random subsample of the prepared replicates (14 in total) are divided for analysis using two laboratories to ensure sample replicate consistency and illustrate variations between analysis techniques and/or methodology.

'Pass/fail' criteria are applied based upon z-scores from the major derived statistics (%< 63µm, mean, median, sorting and skewness) with an acceptable range of ±2 standard deviations. Full details of the standards can be found in the Scheme's Annual Reports.