A photosedimentation technique is used to analyze the size composition of soil samples. The number and size of the particles are determined, respectively, by the Stokes formula and the Beer–Lambert law, measuring time-of-flight and laser light attenuation simultaneously and hence evaluating solution turbidity. A simple software procedure has been developed to obtain fractional volume size distribution, taking into account the particle’s optical properties depending mainly on its size and refractive index. Laboratory measurements on calibrated particulates, showing their reproducibility and validation as well as a classification of ground samples, are presented. Size distribution data can then be utilized to obtain a textural classification of the soil samples for agricultural applications.

© 1998 Optical Society of America

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