AbstractsChemistry

The surface areas and pore size distributions of a series of terrigenous marine sediments were measured by gas adsorption. The sediment samples were taken from the continental terrace off the coast of Oregon near Newport. Sampling stations ranged up to 35 miles off shore between 44°20' and 45° north latitude. Surface areas were calculated from linear B.E.T. plots made from nitrogen and water vapor adsorption isotherms. Pore size distributions were calculated from the nitrogen desorption isotherms using the method developed by Pierce. The Frenkel-Halsey-Hill equation was used to calculate the number of statistical layers in the correction value for multilayer adsorption. Low angle x-ray diffraction was used to identify the clay mineral content of the region. Surface areas, porosity, and x-ray diffractograms were correlated with average grain size, percent ferromagnetic material, depth and distance from shore. A simple rapid method for determining surface areas of terrigenous marine sediment was developed. The pore size distribution calculations were programmed for a computer.