Silt specific weight: weight of 1 m³ by condition
Silt is a substance formed at the bottom of standing water bodies or in channels of flowing water. It is a mixture of very fine particles of organic and mineral origin. The average amount of silt fractions smaller than 0.01 mm reaches 50% of the total mass.
Under natural conditions this fine-grained material is in a viscous, flowing state. Lying at the bottom of water bodies such as seas or lakes, silt may consist of particles of disintegrating rocks and solid remains of living organisms inhabiting these water bodies. Depending on the main components saturating the silt, the following types are distinguished:
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calcareous, terrigenous, aleuritic and pelitic silts;
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diatom, radiolarian, pteropod and globigerina silts.
There are also silts saturated with remains of volcanic origin or putrefactive deposits formed as a result of decomposition of a large amount of organic matter. This substance, sapropel, causes active release of hydrogen sulfide.
How Much Does Silt Weigh?
The question of silt weight arises during construction work, transportation of bottom soil, calculation of the mass of silt deposits, determination of sapropel density and other technical tasks.
The average specific weight of silt sediment is taken as 1.6 t/m3. Depending on the type of silt and its physical condition, dry or wet, density changes accordingly. Silt in its natural state and the weight of loose sapropel have different density values. The data are shown in the table.
| Condition | Silt weight (t/m3) | Silt volume (m3/t) |
|---|---|---|
| Wet silt | 1.8-2.2 | 0.46-0.55 |
| Dry silt | 1.4-1.7 | 0.59-0.71 |
Use of Silt
Humans have learned to use silt for their needs. As the initial stage through which bound sedimentary rocks pass, silt can be used in the production of mineral extracts for animals and as a soil fertilizer in agriculture.
Lake sapropel is considered the best for improving soil quality. It contains many useful organic substances and minerals. It actively stimulates plant growth and development and is also a natural antiseptic.
Bog silt can be used for vegetable crops. For plants, it is more nutritious than manure. Adding such a component to a compost heap neutralizes the effect of decomposing feces, and the potential risk of infection disappears. River silt is recommended to be mixed with manure. Its value is the lowest compared with other types of silt.
Some types of silt and bottom deposits are used as part of therapeutic muds in sanatorium practice. Usually, deposits from salt lakes that have passed composition and safety control are used for this. Silt should not be used independently for medical purposes: the properties of such materials depend on origin, composition and sanitary condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the density of silt be used for precise calculations?
The density and weight values for silt in this article are reference values. They are suitable for preliminary estimates, but design, construction, production and other critical calculations should be checked against standards, material datasheets or measurement results.
Why can the actual weight of silt differ from the table?
The actual weight of silt depends on composition, moisture, temperature, porosity, fraction size, material grade and measurement conditions. Because of this, real values may differ from the average table data.
How do you calculate the mass of silt from density?
For an approximate calculation, use the formula: mass = density × volume. If the density of silt is given in kg/m³ and the volume is in m³, the result will be in kilograms.