QAB 2023 CLASTIC SEDIMENTOLOGY & PETROGRAPHY

SAND GRAIN ANALYSIS

NUR AFIQAH ISMAIL 14581 PETROLEUM GEOSCIENCES

INTRODUCTION
Despite being removed and transported from time to time, the sand grain size analysis could tell us a lot regarding the source of the rock and the depositional environment. Sediment can come from both physical and chemical weathering of the source rock that had been broken into smaller fragment. Different kind of weathering and different type of depositional environment leads to different type of the sediment grain size. After being transported, the sediment will deposit and undergo lithification and diagenesis to form sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock that formed in clastic group could be identified by its grain size. Generally, conglomerate consists of fragment greater than 2mm in diameter. Sandstone were mainly originated from the sand particle range from 0.006mm to 2mm. Mudstone or shale is then composed by smaller particle which is less than 0.006mm. Besides the particle size, other physical property of the sediment itself could be studied such as shape, roundness, sorting, or in simple term, texture. The shape of the particle refers to the sphericity of a grain. Most of the grain is spherical, but could be elongated or flattened. The roundness of the grain is then referring to the smoothness of the grain edges. The distribution of the grain size in the certain location could tell the sorting of the sediment. Well sorted sediment is defined as the grains are about the same size. If the size of the grains are varies, then it could be considered as poorly sorted.

Figure 1: The sorting of sediment

This experiment is focusing on unconsolidated sediment that being taken from several locations. We are going to study the sample and run it through several sieve of certain size and using statistical methods to describe the population and other properties of the sediment.

METHODOLOGY
1. 5 different samples are taken from different locations with different type of sediment. The locations selected are as below : Sample 1 : Sg Perak Sample 2 : Sg Kelantan Sample 3 : Mining sand Sample 4 : Construction sand 2. Estimate 250g of the sample is weight on the balance and recorded. Before that the samples were dried for three days in order to make sure that there is no accumulated sand. 3. A set of sieves are prepared and stacked on top of each other. The smallest sieve is at the base and the largest at the top. Pan is placed at the very base of the stack. Sieve size is recorded. The 250g of the sample is then is dumped on top of the first sieve and covered. 4. By using the shaker machine, the sieve is shook with circular motion for 5 minutes. 5. When the shaker is stopped, the top cover of the cover is taken off. First sieve is removed and the sieve is turned over and the content is dumped on the paper. The sieve is slammed a bit on the paper to lose any stuck sediment. The grains are transferred to the weighing pan and the weight is recorded. 6. The previous step is repeated for each sieve and pan. 7. From the data recorded, all the weight from the each sieve is sum up and compared with the initial weight. The percentage error is calculated and discussed. Sample 5 : Beach sand

Percentage error % = weight of size fraction x 100 Total weight of sample

8. Step 2 until 8 is repeated for remaining sample. 9. The overall data is tabulate in table 1 (Sungai Perak), table 2(Sungai Kelantan), table 3(Beach), table 4(Construction), and table 5(Mining). Various diagrams are drawn for the further presentation and discussion. 10. A histogram for respective sample is drawn. Phi size is used for x-axis and individual weight percent is used for y-axis. Mode of the grain size distribution is taken from the range of phi that has the tallest column. 11. A graph of phi size versus cumulative weight percent is plotted using a linear arithmetic scale. The points on the graph of plotted using French Curve. By using cumulative weight percent, the phi size for each of the following percentage: 5%, 16%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 84%, and 95%. The results are recorded in the table 2.

12. By using values from previous table, other statistical calculation is done. The results of the calculation are also recorded in the table 6. 13. The retained sediment is taken for manual observation for its texture and later will been compared with the mathematical result.

Figure 2: Weighing process with electronic balance

Figure 3: Electric sieving shaker

RESULT
Table 1: Sungai Perak Grain Size Distribution Original weight: 250g Error: 8.660% Sieve size (mm) 2.00 1.0 0.5 0.250 0.125 0.0625 Pan Phi () Individual weight retained (g) 63.71 49.13 69.02 40.08 3.53 2.06 0.86 228.37 Individual weight % 27.89 21.51 30.22 17.55 1.55 0.90 0.38 xxx Cumulative Cumulative weight weight % 63.71 112.84 181.86 221.94 225.47 227.53 228.39 xxx 27.89 49.40 79.62 97.17 98.72 99.62 100 xxx

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL

Table 2: Sungai Kelantan Grain Size Distribution Original weight: 250.02g Error:0.008% Sieve size (mm) 2.00 1.0 0.5 0.250 0.125 0.0625 Pan Phi () Individual weight retained (g) 78.23 122.35 49.00 0.23 0.05 0.02 0.12 250 Individual weight % 31.29 48.94 19.60 0.09 0.02 0.01 0.05 100 Cumulative Cumulative weight weight % 78.23 200.58 249.58 249.81 249.86 249.88 250 xxx 31.29 80.23 99.83 99.92 99.94 99.95 100 xxx

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL

Table 3: Beach Sand Grain Size Distribution Original weight: 250g Error: 0.192% Sieve size (mm) 2.00 1.0 0.5 0.250 0.125 0.0625 Pan Phi () Individual weight retained (g) 49.82 66.54 91.23 30.73 9.44 1.40 0.36 249.52 Individual weight % 19.97 26.67 36.56 12.32 3.78 0.56 0.14 xxx Cumulative Cumulative weight weight % 49.82 116.36 207.59 238.32 247.76 249.16 249.52 xxx 19.97 46.64 83.20 95.52 99.30 99.86 100 xxx

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL

Table 4: Construction Grain Size Distribution Original weight: 250.02g Error: 0.016% Sieve size (mm) 2.00 1.0 0.5 0.250 0.125 0.0625 Pan Phi () Individual weight retained (g) 20.95 40.00 70.13 68.32 37.64 11.38 1.56 249.98 Individual weight % 8.38 16.00 28.05 27.33 15.06 4.55 0.62 xxx Cumulative Cumulative weight weight % 20.95 60.95 131.08 199.40 237.04 248.42 249.98 xxx 8.38 24.38 52.43 79.76 94.82 99.37 100 xxx

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL

Table 5: Mining Grain Size Distribution Original weight: 250.02g Error: 0.124% Sieve size (mm) 2.00 1.0 0.5 0.250 0.125 0.0625 Pan Phi () Individual weight retained (g) 2.38 4.77 31.34 125.08 72.76 10.40 2.53 249.26 Individual weight % 0.95 1.91 12.57 50.18 29.19 4.17 1.02 xxx Cumulative Cumulative weight weight % 2.38 7.15 38.49 163.57 236.33 246.73 249.26 xxx 0.95 2.86 15.43 65.61 94.80 98.97 100 xxx

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL

TABLE 6: MEASURES FOR STATISTICAL CALCULATIONS By referring to the respective graph of the sample, phi value for certain percent of cumulative weight were taken in order to calculate their particular median, mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis. % 5 16 25 50 75 84 95 Sg Kelantan -3.1 -2.0 -1.2 -0.6 -0.2 0.5 0.7 Sg Perak -3.1 -1.9 -1.1 0 0.8 1.2 2.0 Mining -0.2 0.1 1.7 2.0 2.1 2.3 3.0 Construction Beach Sand -0.8 -3.0 -0.1 -1.3 0.4 -0.7 1.2 0.1 2.2 0.7 2.7 1.0 3.6 2.0

TABLE 7 : STATICTICAL CALCULATIONS Sample Grain Size Mode Sg Kelantan 0.5 (coarse grain) Median Grain Size Mean Grain Size Standard Deviation 0.6 -0.70 0.63 Moderately well sorted Skewness -0.22 Symmetrical Kurtosis 1.56 Very platykurtic Sg Perak 0.45 (coarse grain) 0 -0.23 0.78 Moderately sorted 0.01 Symmetrical 1.10 Very platykurtic Mining 0.5 (coarse grain) 2.0 1.47 0.55 Moderately well sorted -0.55 Coarse skewed 3.28 Mesokurtic Construction 0.5 (coarse grain) 1.2 1.27 0.58 Moderately well sorted 0.08 Symmetrical 1.00 Very platykurtic Beach Sand 0.5 (coarse grain) 0.1 -0.07 0.58 Moderately well sorted -0.23 Symmetrical 1.46 Very platykurtic

Grain Size Mode: Tallest column in the respective histogram. Median Grain Size : Phi value at 50% of cumulative weight. Mean Grain Size : Calculated by the formula; Standard Deviation : Calculated by the formula; Skewness : Calculated by the formula; Kurtosis : Calculated by the formula;

Discussion
1) River (Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Perak) River flow is unidirectional flow means one way direction of flow. River transports two types of sediments which are wash load and bed material load. Wash load consist of light sediment for examples silt and clay. This wash load suspended in the river and being transported by the suspension of the current flow. While the bed material loads sediments are sediments that have heavier weight. They transported by creeping or salting. For the sediment from the Sungai Kelantan case, the modal distribution is in very coarse grain region by 38% of the total weight of the sample. Actually the site of the sample taken is at the sand suction activity and its activity still actively conducted. Result from the sieving shows that the sorting for this site is moderately well sorted and has symmetrical skewness, therefore it can be said that there are no excess of coarse or fine sediments which would be good for commercial value. Closely examine the grains in each size fraction with hand lens the grains tend to be bladed shape and it has angular grain. Therefore it might be said that the source of the sediment is quite near since it has angular grain.

Figure 4: The arrangement maturity and distance of sediment

While for the Sungai Perak, the modal distribution is in range coarse grain region by 25% of the total weight of the sample. From the result it shows that Peraks river has bimodal distribution. Its coarse grain is higher than fine grain. It can be said that the Peraks river has high velocity current that can washed away the silt and leave the coarse grain to settle down on the river bed. Result from the sieving shows that the sorting for this site is moderately sorted and has symmetrical skewness. The textures of the Peraks river grains are quite same with the Kelantans river which is bladed shape and it has angular grain.

The analysis of these four straight lines in the cumulative frequency curve, tells us the transport history. The fine and very fine grain which constitutes the lowest weight percentage is transported by suspension in the river and as the river has high current velocity, the suspended material not being settled on the river bed. The medium to coarse grains is probably transported by saltation where the individual grains would jump in a projectile motion. 2) Mining The cumulative frequency curve plotted on the probability scale has four straight line segments which consist of very coarse, coarse, medium and fine and lastly very fine grains. The modal sediment is coarse grained accounting for 37% of total weight. The mean value of 1.47 is the highest than the other samples thus the mining sand is the most dispersed in grains compared to the other samples. The sorting and skew values indicate that it is moderately well sorted and coarse skew respectively. There is no obvious transportation of sand (because it is a still lake, therefore no water movement). The sorting value again might be impaired due to the continuous mixing during the accumulation of the sediments in the mining site. The skewness value indicates that the mining area coarse skew. Closely examine the grains in each size fraction with hand lens the grains tend to be aquent and it has almost rounded grain. Therefore it might be said that the source of the sediment is being reworked once time ago by the mining process, but because of the weathering and transportation from the other sources of sediment, the sediment being mixed of coarse and angular grains. The colour of the sand is blackish. Since it is ex-mining area therefore it contains high concentration of tin ore minerals. 3) Construction The sample was taken from the construction site at Sri Iskandar. From the frequency distribution curve, it shows a bimodal distribution of grains with one peak being of coarse grain size and the other being of very fine grains. This occurrence also agrees with the cumulative frequency curve plotted on the probability scale which has two straight line segments. The coarse grains are its modal grain size accounting for 26% of its total weight. Its sorting value tells that it is moderately well sorted while its skewness value is symmetrical. The grain is almost well sorted since the grain already being processes for the construction purposed. The sand might also be obtained both in the middle (coarse grains) and also the side (finer grains) of the river. The variation of the grain size may help the construction be more stable and be better. 4) Beach Beach sediments typically travelled some distance from a sediment source to their present location on the beach. The sediment source could be quite distance. As wind, rivers, and ocean currents carry sediment grains, abrasion and collisions tend to break and smooth the grains. Grains are further smoothed on the beach as they are washed back and forth by waves.

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Closely examine the grains in each size fraction with hand lens the grains tend to be equant shape and it had mixed rounded and angular grain. Angular grains have sharp corners and projections. Rounded grains have no corners or projections The sample was taken from the residential area that very closed to the beach, therefore the supposedly it should be well sorting, but the beach was being causeway by the sandbag since it experience very serious erosion. The sand from the sandbag being mixed with the original depositional sand when there is high tide. That the reason why the sorting for our beach sand is moderately well sorted. It has a modal class of coarse grains accounting for 29% of total weight. The sorting value and skewness tells that it is moderately well sorted and symmetrical skewed respectively. The analysis of these four straight lines in the cumulative frequency curve, tells us the transport history. The very fine grain which constitutes the lowest weight percentage is transported by suspension in the sea where they are desposited on the beach when the tide resides. The medium to coarse grains is probably transported by saltation where the individual grains would jump in a projectile motion. Lastly, the very coarse grains are probably creeping along the sea floor, rolling in a circular motion. Turbulent waves mix the coarser and finer grain sediments in suspension and deposit them on the beach. While the colour of our beach sand sample slightly gray. This may indicate the presence of organic carbon which is come from remain of plant and animal matter.

Precaution and Modification

In order to get the better result, there are some precautions to take care of. The sand must be making sure that completely dry so that the sieving process can be well conducted. Shield the electronic balance in order to get the accurate reading of the grain weight. The Sand Shaker must be clean from any grain stucking on it. This is in order to make sure all the grains are well separated. Place a large paper or large plastic during removing the sieved grain from the Sand Shaker, and make sure does it gently so that the weight loss can be reduce. The experiment should be repeated 3 times to reduce the percentage error.

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Conclusion
From this experiment, students can learn better properties and texture of the clastic sedimentary. As the sediment move further from the source, the grain size became rounded and spherical. The sediment being transported by suspension, saltation, creeping and even dissolves in the river. But to know the mineral of the sand, mineral analysis under microscope should be done. From the bivariate plot it shows that the samples that taken mainly come from river provenance. To have a thorough understanding of grain size distribution in the research area, several samples need to be collected at an interval distance, covering the entire research site. So that the behaviour of the specific site can be interpreted through the calculation of statistical distribution. A collective study can then be done.

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APPENDIX
Appendix A: Sungai Kelantan

Curve frequency of Sungai Kelantan

60 individual weight percent 50 40 30 20 10 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand

Graph 1: Frequency curve of Sungai Kelantan

Grain Size Distribution Frequency %

60 individual weight percent 50 40 30 20 10 0.09 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand 0.02 0.01 0.05 19.6 31.29 48.94

Histogram 1: Texture and percentage of grain size distribution for Sungai Kelantan.

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Appendix B: Sungai Perak

Curve Frequency of Sungai Perak

35 individual weight percent 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand

Graph 2: Frequency curve of Sungai Perak

Grain Size Distribution Frequency %

35
individual weight percent

30 25 20 15 10 5 0

27.89 21.51

30.22

17.55

1.55 granules very coarse sand coarse sand

0.9

0.38

medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand

Histogram 2: Texture and percentage of grain size distribution for Sungai Perak.

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Appendix C: Construction

Curve Frequency of Construction sand

individual weight percent 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand

Graph 3: Frequency curve of construction sand

Grain Size Distribution Frequency %

40 individual weight percent 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand 19.97 12.32 3.78 0.56 0.14 26.67 36.56

Histogram 3: Texture and percentage of grain size distribution for construction sand.

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Appendix D: Mining

Curve Frequency of Mining sand

60 individual weight percent 50 40 30 20 10 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand

Graph 4: Frequency curve of Mining sand

Grain Size Distribution Frequency %

30 individual weight percent 25 20 15 10 5 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand 8.38 4.55 0.62 16 15.06 28.05 27.33

Histogram 4: Texture and percentage of grain size distribution for Mining sand.

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Appendix E: Beach Sand

Curve Frequency of Beach sand

40 individual weight percent 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand

Graph 5: Frequency curve of Beach sand

Grain Size Distribution Frequency %

60 individual weight percent 50.18 50 40 30 20 10 0 granules very coarse sand coarse sand medium fine sand very fine coarse silt sand sand 0.95 1.91 12.57 4.17 1.02 29.19

Histogram 5: Texture and percentage of grain size distribution for beach sand.

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Appendix F: Grain size classification

Figure 5: The Udden-Wentworth Grade Scale for classification of siliciclastic sediment.

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Appendix G

Figure 6: The Logarithmic Folk and Ward (1957) graphical measures

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