Organized by

The Inter-calibration Exercise for Grain SizeAnalyses in Sediments aims at documenting
and improving the quality of grain size
measurements, by creating an internationalreference network.

Università Ca' Foscari
Venezia

If you are interested in joining theintercalibration exercise, please ask for theapplication form by Fax: +39 0541 791045 or
email to project@csaricerche.com, by writing“intercalibration exercise” as subject.

Istituto di Ricerca
Gruppo C.S.A

CNR – ISMAR
VeneziaInter-calibration
Exercise for Grain Size

Contacts

ARPA Emilia-Romagna
SO DaphneAnalyses in Sediments

Scientific coordinator
CNR – IAMC
Oristano

Dr. E. Molinaroli
Università Cà Foscari Venezia
Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali
molinaro@unive.it
Phone and Fax: +39 041 2348583

ISPRA
Roma

Technical coordinator
Sponsored by

Dr. G. Matteucci
Istituto di Ricerca Gruppo C.S.A.
gmatteucci@csaricerche.com
Phone +39 0541 791050
Fax +39 0541 791045
Molonaroli et al. (2009)

What is the scope of theIntercalibration Exercise?
•Involvement of analytical laboratories ofResearchCentres,Universities,
PublicAssociations and Private Company to develop aninternational network;•Analyses of real sediments samples (marine,lagoon, river) with different grain size andmineralogical characteristics;•EXERCISE 1EXERCISE 2

For Exercise 1 three sediment samples with different grain size
and mineralogical characteristics will be analysed by theReference Laboratory (RL; a, b). Then, samples will be sent by
RL to the laboratories involved in the Intercalibration Exercise to
be analyzed with their methodological protocols and instruments(c). Finally, analytical results will be collected by the RL anddiscussed in a final report (d).

For Exercise 2 three sediment samples collected in different
sites with different mineralogical characteristics and different
sand/clay/silt percentages will be sent by RL to laboratories
involved in the Intercalibration Exercise to be sieved at different
grain size and analyzed with different methods. Finally,
analytical results will be collected by the RL and will bediscussed in a final report.

a H2O2 addition to 3 sediment samples with different

grain size and mineralogy to eliminate organic matter

Comparison of grain size data determined bydifferent instruments, analytical methods andlaboratories.

b

3 sediment samples collected in different sites withdifferent grain size and mineralogical characteristics

Samples are sieved at:

Analysis by Reference Laboratory(with / without ultrasonic treatment)
63 µm

c

Grain-size and grain-size distribution are among the key factors
in sedimentology and landscape evolution, despite commonstandards have not yet been set up by the scientific community.
These parameters determine the mechanical properties ofsediments and provide information on the origin and history of thelandscape evolution.
The problem of comparing grain-size analyses based on different
techniques and physical principles has been discussed by several
authors. Because of the differences in results, many comparative
studies of grain-size techniques have been carried out over thelast two decades.
Recently Gooseens (2008) published a detailed comparative
study analysing four sediments with ten techniques. Although thetrends were generally similar, he observed local differences
between the results of grain size analyses deriving from different
instruments.
Depending on the type of instruments used for grain size analysis
sediments can be classified in different textural classes based on
the sand/silt/clay ratios.

Sending samples to laboratories involved that will
analyze them with their methods and instruments

dANALYSIS COMPARISON

Exercise 1 is addressed to scientists and technicians
focused on the wide use of grain size determinations
in environmental studies.

Analysis offraction> 63 µm

Analysisof fraction< 63 µm

sieve
methods

20 µm

250 µmAnalysisof fraction< 20 µm

Analysisof fraction< 250 µmwith / without
ultrasonic treatmentANALYSIS COMPARISON
Exercise 2 is addressed to scientists and technicians
focused on sedimentological studies.
Technical-scientific committee
G. De Falco (CNR-IAMC, Oristano)
C.R. Ferrari (ARPA-ER, Cesenatico)
S. Guerzoni (CNR-ISMAR, Venice)
G. Matteucci (Gruppo C.S.A. Rimini)
E. Molinaroli (University Cà Foscari Venice)
E. Romano (ISPRA – Roma)
T. Thornton (Chairman ASTM Subcommittee E29.02)
Scientific CoordinatorE. Molinaroli

Technical Coordinator
G. Matteucci