For this batch of synthediment(TM), some of the silt phase included a low-density silica-based material which gave the final dry-solids product an almost fluffy texture. I was concerned that the solids would float upon hydration, but apparently that did not occur. I received a photo (below) from the toxicity lab showing the hydrated synthediment(TM) solids (grey material on the left) side-by-side with their natural sediment (reddish-brown material on the right), being prepared for an hexagenia culture trial.
The texture appears to be replicated rather well. The coloring is definitely off, very likely due to a greater proportion of iron oxides in the natural sediment than in the synthediment(TM) batch. This can be addressed very easily in future batches. The grey color of the synthediment(TM) batch is due primarily to all 16 components in this batch being colored either white or black (with the exception of the minor component of dark brown peat powder).
At last report, overlying water and hexagenia larvae were added to the tanks sometime during the last week of February. We'll have an update on the progress soon..
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