This project supported by:
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The Griffith University Particle-Sizing Laboratory, established in 1985 by Grant McTainsh, services the particle-sizing needs of clients from industry and research. The laboratory has pioneered new analytical techniques for a range of sample types and to characterize how particles have been transported through the environment.
Our particle sizing services are best suited to investigative analyses which require high quality data.
For high resolution particle sizing and counts, we use a Beckman Coulter Multisizer™ 3 COULTER COUNTER®. With such leading technology, we can count particles 0.4 to 600µm to produce particle size distributions with 256 size classes, as well as volume, number, mass and surface area size distributions.
For larger particle sizes, pipette and sieving methods are used to obtain a particle-size distribution.
The laboratory also loans dust sampling equipment (namely the High Volume Sampler with a PM10 head) and sells dust filter papers.
Our clients come from:
- Environmental monitoring
- Academic research
- Atmospheric, earth or water science
- Industry (e.g. water treatment, brick production)
- Council
Samples we commonly deal with are:
- Water
- Soil and sand
- Dust (including dust from filters)
- Biological (e.g. milk)
Methods of analysis may include:
- Minimal dispersion (the sample is analysed in its natural state, as given to us, and therefore will include aggregates)
- Full dispersion (chemical and physical dispersion is applied to the sample to separate aggregates)
- Acid digestion (to remove organic matter from the sample)
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Our analytical services can be used in the investigation of:
- Water turbidity
- Filtration systems
- Flocculation methods
- Composition of soils
- Health risk of airborne particles
- Origin of dust storms
- Sediment transport and deposition
Project Outcomes
The objectives of the Griffith University Particle-Sizing Laboratory are;
- To conduct cutting edge science pertaining to environmental dust, regolith geosciences with the flow on effects to disciplines such as climatology, planetary science and geo-engineering.
- To provide innovative solutions to business in workplace health and environmental discharges.
Contact us:
Dr Craig Strong
Particle-sizing Laboratory
Griffith University
07 3735 3509
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Project Leaders and Partners
This project is led by Professor Grant McTainsh and Dr Craig Strong. Technical support provided by Ms Michelle Baker and Mr Kyle Barton.
Case study: water samples from a bioretention basin
In storm water management, a bioretention basin is a shallow depression in the landscape that receives stormwater before it enters the natural environment. Physical, biological and chemical processes operating within the basin treat the stormwater that gradually filters through.
A particle-size distribution of water from a bioretention basin can help to indicate the level of filtration within the basin, or the condition of the water entering the natural environment.
The above particle size distribution is for a water sample taken from a bioretention basin. The distribution shows that most particles in the sample are about 4 µm in diameter.
Price list:
Our prices are competitive. The following prices are per sample, and do not include GST.
- Analysis services
- Particle size analysis with a particle size range of:
- 1-30 µm = $150
- 1- 84 µm = $200
- 1- 168 µm = $230
- 1- 336 µm = $260
- 1- 600 µm = $290
- Full particle size analysis = $320
- Total Suspended Sediment analysis = $40
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