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Silt

A soil separate consisting of particles of a certain equivalent diameter. The most commonly used size for silt is from 0.05 to 0.002 mm equivalent diameter. This is the size used by the Soil Science Society of America and the U.S. Department of Agriculture , but others recognize slightly different equivalent diameters. As compared to clay (less than 0.002 mm), the silt fraction is less reactive and has a low cation exchange capacity. Because of its size, which is intermediate between clay and sand, silt contributes to formation of desirable pore sizes, and the weathering of silt minerals provides available plant nutrients. Wind-blown silt deposits are referred to as "loess."

silt XV. of uncert. orig.; perh. — a Scand. word repr. by Norw., Da. sylt, Norw. and Sw. dial. sylta salt marsh, sea beach, corr. to OLF. sulta (LG. sulte, sülte; Du. zult), OHG. sulza (G. sülze) salt marsh, salt pan, brine, f. Gmc. *sult- *salt- SALT.

silt
1. In the commonly used Udden—Went-worth scale, particles between 4μm and 62.5 μm in size. Other classifications exist. In pedology, silt refers to mineral soil particles that range in diameter from 0.02 to 0.002 μm in the international system, or from 0.05 to 0.002μm in the USDA system. See PARTICLE SIZE.

2. A class of soil texture.

silt, predominantly quartz mineral particles that are between sand size and clay size, i.e., between 1/16 and 1/256 mm (1/406 –1/6502 in.) in diameter. Silt, like clay and sand, is a product of the weathering and decomposition of preexisting rock. Hardened silt forms a sedimentary rock called siltstone, which tends to deposit in thin layers sometimes referred to as flagstone because it is hard, durable, and flat, breaking into nearly rectangular slabs.

silt
1. In geology, according to the most widely used (Udden–Wentworth) scale, particles between 4 μm and 62.5 μm in size.

2. In pedology, mineral soil particles that range in diameter from 0.02–0.002 μm in the international system or 0.05–0.002 μm in the USDA system.

3. A class of soil texture.

silt
1. Mineral soil particles that range in diameter from 0.02–0.002 μm in the international system or 0.05–0.002 μm in the USDA system.

2. A class of soil texture.

silt Mineral particles produced by the weathering of rock. These particles, varying in size between grains of sand and clay, are carried along in streams and rivers, to be deposited in the gently flowing lower reaches of rivers. When the river overflows its bank, the silt deposit forms fertile land.