Soils and Sediments Lab

RLP 0.204

The lab, certified by the USDA, is designed primarily for preparation, processing and analysis of sediments and soils.  The processing lab allows for the examination of a diverse array of physical and chemical properties, including particle-size distribution by laser light-scattering with a laser granulometer Analyzette 22 (Laser Diffraction-Analyzete 22), sieving, fine-particle fraction by hydrometer, organic matter content by dry combustion (LOI), soil moisture level, water-retention capacity by pressure plate chamber, organic matter sample preparation for pollen, charcoal, and others. The lab counts with fume hoods, analytical balances, muffles, ovens, etc. The microscope/computer section allows for microscopic examination of sediment and soil structure and petrographic analysis of thin sections. The laboratory also includes a diversity of equipment for pedological field sampling, topographic surveying, as well as instructional equipment for environmental education. Field equipment is complemented with a Piston core and a vibracore to drill Quaternary sediments, water, sediment samplers, magnetic susceptibilimeter, digital sediment colour, among others. Geophysics equipment for rivers, lakes and marine environments include a Bathy 2010 bathymetric sub-bottom profiler of dual frequency, an acoustic Doppler Profiler-ADCP RDI-Rio Grande of 1200 KHz, a Side Scan Sonar SYQWEST, a Single Bean Echo Sound, among others.