A Comparison of Sieve and Thin-Section Technique for Size Analysis
Melvin A. Rosenfeld, Lynn Jacobsen, John C. Ferm · The Journal of Geology · 1953
Grain size analyses of three sets of sedimentary rocks totaling thirty-two samples were performed by thin-section and sieving techniques. The total distributions and the statistics derived from these distributions are compared for the two techniques; distributions of average samples are similarly compared. Conversion factors which will make the results directly comparable are empirically determined and are found to vary within samples, between samples, and between rock types. Analytically derived correction factors for sectioning and for weight-to-number frequency fail to bring the results of the two techniques into agreement. Based on experimental results it is concluded that, at present, there is no generally applicable correction factor but that empirically derived conversions with statistically determined confidence limits may be used within a single study.