Measuring Bulk Density and Preparing Samples for Other Lab Analyses

(Skip this part if you are not measuring bulk density.)

1. Weigh each dry bulk density sample in its container and record this dry weight on the Bulk Density Data Work Sheet.
2. Place a sieve (#10, 2 mm mesh) on a large piece of paper (such as newspaper) and pour one sample into the sieve. Put on rubber gloves to avoid contaminating your sample with acids from your skin.
3. Carefully push the dried soil material through the mesh onto the paper. Be careful not to bend the wire mesh by forcing the soil through. Rocks will stay on top of the sieve. (If no sieve is available, carefully remove the rocks by hand.) Save the sieved soil from each sample for the other lab analyses.

If rocks are present, use the following procedure to determine the volume of the rocks.