Time and temperature as factors in the dispersion of soil crumbs in water

Abstract

A technique is described that enables rates of dispersion of natural soil crumbs to be determined. Mechanical disturbance is kept a t a minimum in the method, so that the inherent tendency of the soil to disperse would be the major factor in the result. Limitations of the method are discussed. The rate and degree of dispersion for qix soil materials, representing a range of texture and stability, have been obtained a t each of three levels of temperature: 5, 20, and 45°C. It has been shown that great variation exists between soils in their rate of dispersion, that temperature has a marked effect on these rates, and that for times up to 24 hr the total amount of dispersion achieved is significantly different at each temperature. It is suggested that, in some soils a t least, rate of dispersion, and therefore indirectly temperature, are of as much importance in indicating field behaviour as the extent of total dispersion.