Soil Bulk Density Determination

4.
Bulk Density Test

The bulk density measurement should be performed at the soil surface and/or in a compacted zone
(plow pan, etc.) if one is present . Measure bulk density near (between 1 and 2 feet) the site of the
respiration and infiltration tests. To get a more representative bulk density measurement of the
area, additional samples may be taken.
Materials needed to measure bulk density: Did You Know?

Bulk density is the weight
3-inch diameter ring of soil for a given vol-
hand sledge ume. It is used to mea-
wood block sure compaction. In
garden trowel general, the greater the
flat-bladed knife density, the less pore
sealable bags and marker pen space for water move-
scale (0.1 g precision) ment, root growth and
1/8 cup (30 mL) measuring scoop penetration, and seedling
paper cups germination.
18-inch metal rod
access to a microwave oven
Considerations: For rocky or gravelly soils, use the alternate procedure on page 11.
1 Drive Ring into Soil
Using the hand sledge and block of wood, drive

the 3-inch diameter ring, beveled edge down, to a
depth of 3 inches (Figure 4.1).
The exact depth of the ring must be determined

for accurate measurement of soil volume. To do
this, the height of the ring above the soil should be
measured. Take four measurements (evenly
spaced) of the height from the soil surface to the
top of the ring and calculate the average. Record Figure 4.1
the average on the Soil Data worksheet.
NOTE: Use the metal rod to probe the soil for depth to a compacted zone. If one is found, dig
down to the top of this zone and make a level surface. Proceed with Step 1.
2 Remove 3-inch Ring
Dig around the ring and with the trowel underneath it, carefully lift it out to prevent any
loss of soil.
9
3 Remove Excess Soil
Remove excess soil from the sample with a flat-

bladed knife. The bottom of the sample should be flat
and even with the edges of the ring (see Figure 4.2).
4 Place Sample in Bag and Label
Touch the sample as little as possible. Using the flat-

bladed knife, push out the sample into a plastic
Figure 4.2
sealable bag. Make sure the entire sample is placed in the
plastic bag. Seal and label the bag.
NOTE: Steps 5-7 can be done in a lab or office if a scale is not available in the field. Step 8
requires access to a microwave.
5 Weigh and Record Sample
Weigh the soil sample in its bag. [If the sample is too heavy for the scale, transfer about
half of the sample to another plastic bag. The weights of the two sample bags will need
to be added together. Enter the weight (sum of two bags, if applicable) on the Soil Data
worksheet.
Weigh an empty plastic bag to account for the weight of the bag. Enter the weight (sum
of two bags, if applicable) on the Soil Data worksheet.
6 Extract Subsample to Determine Water Content and Dry Soil Weight
Mix sample thoroughly in the bag by kneading it with your fingers.
Take a 1/8-cup level scoop subsample of loose soil (not packed down) from the plastic
bag and place it in a paper cup (a glass or ceramic cup may be used).
7 Weigh and Record Subsample
Weigh the soil subsample in its paper cup. Enter the weight on the Soil Data worksheet.
Weigh an empty paper cup to account for its weight. Enter the weight on the Soil Data
worksheet.
8 Dry Subsample
Place the paper cup containing the subsample in a microwave and dry for two or more four-
minute cycles at full power. Open the microwave door for one minute between cycles to
allow venting. Weigh the dry subsample in its paper cup and enter the weight on the Soil
Data worksheet.
10
NOTE: To determine if the soil is dry, weigh the sample and record its weight after each 4-
minute cycle. When its weight does not change after a drying cycle, then it is dry.
CALCULATIONS (See page 13)
Bulk Density Test for Gravelly and Rocky Soils

This method is to be used when rocks or gravels prevent sampling bulk density by the core method
described in the first part of this Chapter. This excavation method will require the user to sieve out
the coarse material greater than 2 mm in size.
Materials needed to measure bulk density:
Plastic wrap
140-cc syringe
water
garden trowel
sealable bags and marker pen
2-mm sieve
scale (0.1 g precision)
1/8-cup (30 mL) measuring scoop
paper cup or bowl
access to a microwave oven
Considerations: Choose a spot that is as level as possible to allow water to fill the hole evenly.
If the soil is too wet to sieve, ignore the part in Step 2 about replacing rocks, and proceed to Step 3.
Soil will have to be dried and sieved later. The volume of gravel will need to be determined and
subtracted from the total volume of the soil sample taken in the field.
1 Dig Hole
Dig a bowl shaped hole three inches deep and

approximately five inches in diameter using the
trowel (Figure 4.3). Avoid compacting the soil in
the hole while digging. Place all of the soil and
gravel removed from the hole in a plastic bag.
Using the 2-mm sieve, sieve the soil in the plastic

bag to separate the gravel. Collect the soil in a
plastic sealable bag. Put the gravel aside to be
used in Step 2. Seal and label the plastic bag.
[Note: See Considerations above if soil is wet.] Figure 4.3
11
2 Line the Hole
Line the hole with plastic wrap as shown in Figure

4.4. Leave some excess plastic wrap around the edge
of the hole. Place the sieved rocks and gravel care-
fully in the center of the hole on top of the plastic
wrap. Assure that the pile of rocks do not protrude
above the level of the soil surface.
3 Add Water to Hole Figure 4.4
Use the 140 cc syringe to keep track of how much water is needed to fill the lined hole.
The level of the water should be even with the soil surface.
The amount of water represents the volume of soil removed. Record the total amount of
water in cubic centimeters (1 cc = 1 cm3) on the Soil Data worksheet.
NOTE: Steps 4-6 can be done in a lab or office if a scale is not available in the field. Step 7
requires access to a microwave.
4 Weigh and Record Sample
Weigh the soil sample in its bag. [If the sample is too heavy for the scale, transfer about
half of the sample to another plastic bag. The weights of the two sample bags will need
to be added together. Enter the weight (sum of two bags, if applicable) on the Soil Data
worksheet.
Weigh an empty plastic bag to account for the weight of the bag. Enter the weight (sum
of two bags, if applicable) on the Soil Data worksheet.
5 Extract Subsample to Determine Water Content and Dry Soil Weight
Mix sample thoroughly in the bag by kneading it with your fingers.
Take a 1/8-cup level scoop subsample of loose soil (not packed down) from the plastic
bag and place it in a paper cup (a glass or ceramic cup may be used).
6 Weigh and Record Subsample
Weigh the soil subsample in its paper cup. Enter the weight on the Soil Data worksheet.
Weigh an empty paper cup to account for its weight. Enter the weight on the Soil Data
worksheet.
12
7 Dry Subsample
Place the paper cup containing the subsample in a microwave and dry for two or more four-
minute cycles at full power. Open the microwave door for one minute between cycles to
allow venting. Weigh the dry subsample in its paper cup and enter the weight on the Soil
Data worksheet.
NOTE: To determine if the soil is dry, weigh the sample and record its weight after each 4-
minute cycle. When its weight does not change after a drying cycle, then it is dry.
CALCULATIONS (for both bulk density methods):
Soil water content (g/g) = (weight of moist soil - weight of oven dry soil)
weight of oven dry soil
Soil bulk density (g/cm3) = oven dry weight of soil

volume of soil
Soil water-filled pore space (%) = volumetric water content x 100

soil porosity
Volumetric water content (g/cm3) = soil water content (g/g) x bulk density (g/cm3)
(
Soil porosity (%) = 1 - soil bulk density
2.65
)
Volume of Rocks (cm3) = Fill 1/3 of a graduated cylinder with water, and record the amount.
Add the rocks to the cylinder and record the change in the water level. The difference is the
volume of rocks (1 mL = 1 cm3).
Volume of Soil (cm3) = Total soil volume - volume of rocks
13

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4.

Bulk Density Test

Materials needed to measure bulk density: Did You Know?

1 Drive Ring into Soil

Using the hand sledge and block of wood, drive

The exact depth of the ring must be determined

2 Remove 3-inch Ring

Remove excess soil from the sample with a flat-

4 Place Sample in Bag and Label

Touch the sample as little as possible. Using the flat-

5 Weigh and Record Sample

6 Extract Subsample to Determine Water Content and Dry Soil Weight

Mix sample thoroughly in the bag by kneading it with your fingers.

7 Weigh and Record Subsample

CALCULATIONS (See page 13)

Bulk Density Test for Gravelly and Rocky Soils

Materials needed to measure bulk density:

Dig a bowl shaped hole three inches deep and

Using the 2-mm sieve, sieve the soil in the plastic

Line the hole with plastic wrap as shown in Figure

3 Add Water to Hole Figure 4.4

4 Weigh and Record Sample

5 Extract Subsample to Determine Water Content and Dry Soil Weight

Mix sample thoroughly in the bag by kneading it with your fingers.

6 Weigh and Record Subsample

CALCULATIONS (for both bulk density methods):

Soil bulk density (g/cm3) = oven dry weight of soil

Soil water-filled pore space (%) = volumetric water content x 100

Volume of Soil (cm3) = Total soil volume - volume of rocks

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