Abstract: Particle size distribution (PSD) is a fundamental physical property that significantly influences the engineering properties of soil. Various methods exist for measuring PSD in marine sediments; however, the consistency and correlation between different measurement results need to be discussed. We deduced the relationship between sedimentation analysis method and laser diffraction method, and proposed a conversion method based on their testing principles. By employing the two methods, we analyzed the PSD of deep-sea sediment samples from the South China Sea and the Shenhu Sea area, and then converted the PSD obtained from laser diffraction method according to the conversion relationship. Results reveal that the difference between sedimentation analysis method and laser diffraction method mainly lies in the content of clay and silt particles.After the conversion, the measured percentages of clay and silt particles align well between the two methods,validating the reliability of the proposed conversion.

Key words: deep-sea sediment, particle size analysis, sedimentation analysis method, laser diffraction method, conversion relationship, correlation