As we have been completing this project, we have run into some problems. One of the problems was that when we put moist or wet sand in the sieves, the sand would clump together and stay at the top of the sieves. Amanda and I have come up with 2 solutions to help solve this problem.
The first solution we tried to solve this problem was to use the the force of the wave as they pull back into the ocean to pull sand through through the PVC pipe sieves. To successfully do this technique, you have to hold the sieve down to the sand as the water pulls out and pull it up after the water has resided and a new wave is incoming. Sometimes the sand is still in the sieves so you have to repeat the process to have the best outcome. See the video below for a demonstration.
The first solution we tried to solve this problem was to use the the force of the wave as they pull back into the ocean to pull sand through through the PVC pipe sieves. To successfully do this technique, you have to hold the sieve down to the sand as the water pulls out and pull it up after the water has resided and a new wave is incoming. Sometimes the sand is still in the sieves so you have to repeat the process to have the best outcome. See the video below for a demonstration.
Another technique we have tried to solve this problem is to collect the sand and bring it back to the house where we have access to a hose. Once you have collected the sand in a reinforced large ziploc bag or container you need access to a hose. Next you will need your sieves. After you have the sieves stacked from 5mm-1mm-0.3mm or largest to smallest, you start putting handful size amounts of sand into the sieve and washing the sand through the sieve using the hose until all of the sand has been washed through.
We are still unable to sift sand through the 0.3 sieve because the sand size is bigger than 0.3.
Have fun going micro!
We are still unable to sift sand through the 0.3 sieve because the sand size is bigger than 0.3.
Have fun going micro!
2 comments:
I'm wondering if a 3rd technique might be drying the sand in the sun for a day before running it through the sieve. In the NOAA article that you linked yesterday, it mentioned baking it overnight at 90 degrees to dry it out before using the sieve, so sounds like that researcher was having the same issue. I'm sure your mom doesn't want you using the kitchen oven for that, but in the summer a good sunny day should also work.
Great problem solving Grey!! I am interested to hear about the micro-plastics you find on MV. I believe micro plastics in our ocean is a really big issue that we need to learn how to deal with and your research will help in that quest.
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