Bascom Laser Diffraction Sedimentology Laboratory, Reston, Virginia
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- Document: Report (1.22 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
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Introduction
At the Bascom Laser Diffraction Sedimentology Laboratory, which is located in the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) headquarters in Reston, Virginia, scientists use physical sedimentology and particle characterization techniques to conduct detailed sediment characterization. Scientists address research problems in collaboration with other USGS science centers, State geological surveys, commercial industry, universities, and other partners. Laboratory capabilities include laser diffractometry for quantitative particle-size analysis, portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis for determining elemental abundances in rock or sediment samples, petrographic analysis of geologic media, and mechanical sieve analysis. These methods are used to analyze soil and sediment core material from terrestrial, marine, and lacustrine environments, surface sediments from coastal regions, and calcareous materials. Work done by the laboratory supports geologic mapping, resource assessments, land change studies, and geohazard analyses.
Suggested Citation
Colip, Grant D., 2026, Bascom Laser Diffraction Sedimentology Laboratory, Reston, Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2025–3051, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253051.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Laser Diffractometry
- Sediment Characterization
- Research Applications
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Bascom Laser Diffraction Sedimentology Laboratory, Reston, Virginia |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 2025-3051 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20253051 |
| Publication Date | February 09, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Florence Bascom Geoscience Center |
| Description | Report: 4 p. |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |