Hot plate set-up

After mixing about 20 grams of a sediment sample with distilled water, we add strong hydrogen peroxide to break down or "digest" organic matter that may be in the sample. Organic matter makes clay particles stick together and we need them separate in order to calculate accurate particle size fractions of the sample. Digestion takes place overnight. Then we cook off the remaining hydrogen peroxide on a controlled hot plate next to a slit hood (both shown here), which removes that “low tide” smell.