Soil Water Wet Sieving Apparatus

The wet sieving apparatus is used to determine aggregate stability. Wet aggregate stability is determined on the principle that unstable aggregates will break down more easily when immersed into water than stable aggregates. 8 sieves (with 60 mesh screen) are filled with a certain amount of soil aggregates and placed in a can filled with water. The can moves up and down for a fixed time. The unstable aggregates will fall apart, pass through the sieve, and are collected in the water-filled can underneath the sieve. 

After this fixed time, the cans are removed and replaced by new water-filled cans. Now, all aggregates are destroyed. Sand grains and plant roots will remain on the sieve and only aggregates are considered. After drying the cans with the aggregates, the weight of both stable and unstable aggregates can be determined.

Dividing the weight of stable aggregates over total aggregate weight gives an index for the aggregate stability.

The standard set includes: 

• Shaking machine for wet sieving method (incl. 100-240 VAC 50/60Hz adapter)
• 8 sieves Ø 39x39 mm with sieve opening 0.250 mm and sieve surface of 10.2 cm
• Stainless steel sieve cans Ø 64x45 mm

Optional: sieves with various openings of 2.0 - 0.045 mm and electronic pocket balance.

Applications

• Soil physical laboratory research
• Erosion research
• Soil stability research