Measurement of Unfrozen Water Content in Frozen Clay-Water Systems

M. MIZOGUCHI, Mie Univ., Mie 514, Japan

When I was studying on transport of water, heat and salt in freezing
soil, I derived by myself the same equation of unfrozen water
content that Dr. Philip. F. Low did in 1968. Since his approach fit
me, I asked him to study together at Purdue. In 1992, my dream came
true! I determined to use a FTIR spectrometer in his laboratory.
Infrared is absorbed so intensively by water that a thin sample
containing less water is normally used for the measurement. I dared
to measure infrared spectra of NaCl frozen solution and frozen
clay-water systems which had high water content. By using the
absorbance at 2700 cm-1, I succeeded to determine ice fraction in
the NaCl solution and freezing point depression of the clay-water
systems. After returning to Japan, I have measured the unfrozen
water content in the same systems by NMR method and found that FTIR
method is more useful than NMR method for the measurement at
sub-zero temperature with respect to temperature control. I would
like to thank Dr. Low for extending me an opportunity to learn
research philosophy.

M. Mizoguchi, FAX(81)592-31-9571, mizo@bio.mie-u.ac.jp