Particle Size Distribution of Growing Media Constituents Using Dynamic
Image Analysis: Parametrization and Comparison to Sieving
Abstract
Growing media constituents have heterogeneous particle size and shape,
and their physical properties are partly related to them. Particle size
distribution is usually analyzed through sieving process, segregating
the particles by their width. However, sieving techniques are best
describing more granular shapes and are not as reliable for materials
exhibiting large varieties of shapes, like growing media constituents. A
dynamic image analysis has been conducted for a multidimensional
characterization of particle size distribution of several growing media
constituents (white and black peats, pine bark, coir, wood fiber, and
perlite), from particles that were segregated and dispersed in water.
Diameters describing individual particle width and length were analyzed,
then compared to particle size distribution obtained by sieving DM and
HM methods. This work suggests the relevance of two parameters, Feret
MAX and Chord MIN diameters for assessing particle length and width,
respectively. They largely varied among the growing media constituents,
confirming their non-spherical (i.e. elongated) shapes, demonstrating
the advantages in using dynamic image analysis tools over traditional
sieving methods. Furthermore, large differences in particle size
distribution were also observed between dynamic image analysis and
sieving procedures, with a finer distribution for dynamic image
analysis. The discrepancies observed between methodologies were
discussed (particle segregation, distribution weighing, etc.), while
describing in details methodological limitations of dynamic image
analysis.