Calcium Carbonate (%): A determination of the total alkaline earths through 

 titration with EDTA as described by Turkian (1956). The method assumes that 

 the amount of magnesium and strontium carbonates in the samples is trivial, and 

 results are reported as calcium carbonate (CaCOo) solely. 



Organic Carbon (%): The organic carbon present in the sediment as determined 

 By the potassium dichromate ferrous ammonium sulfate titration method of Allison 

 (1935). 



Specific Gravity of Solids : The ratio of the sediment sample weight in air to its 

 weight in water at 4°C. 



Cohesion (lbs/in^): The shear strength as measured by standard soil mechanic 

 techniques utilizing vane shear and compression testing apparatus. The procedure, 

 significance, and reliability of this measurement as employed by the Oceano- 

 graphic Office is discussed by Richards (1961). 



Sensitivity: The ratio of the undisturbed strength of the sediment to disturbed 

 strength at an unaltered water content. 



SENSITIVITY SCALE (after Richards, 1961) 



Percentage of "Undisturbed" 

 Strength Lost in Remolded State 







to 50.0 



50.0 to 75.0 



75.0 to 87.5 



87.5 to 93.8 



93.8 to 96.9 



96.9 to 98.4 

 > 98.4 



Wet Unit Weight (gm/cc): The bulk density of the sediment measured to the 

 nearest tenth by means of wet weight per known volume of sediment. 



Water Content (%): Ratio in percent of the weight of water to the weight of 

 the dried solid particles in a given sediment mass. 



Void Ratio (e) : The ratio between the volume of voids (V ) and the volume of 

 solids (VJ. 



Vs 



ensltivity 



Description 



< - 1 



Insensitive 



1 - 2 



Slightly insensitive 



2-4 



Medium sensitive 



4-8 



Very sensitive 



8-16 



Slightly quick 



16 - 32 



Medium quick 



32 - 64 



Very quick 



> 64 



Extra quick 



12 



