Peels

Definition

A method for directly sampling materials in the face of a trial pit or trench, using layers of resin and a backing net, for future use and reference.

The sedimentary structure of an anthropogenic or natural stratum can be precisely sampled by making a peel of the face of a trial pit or trench. This method can be used to examine depositional structures, structures associated with the liquefaction and fluidization of a stratum and, through testing, the presence of contaminants (Nirei et al. 2016). The basic principle of relief peeling is that liquid resin is impregnated into an exposed stratum, a backing medium is placed on the face, and the hardened layer of the stratum is peeled off like a film. The thickness of the layer to be peeled off depends on the permeability of the stratum, which makes it easy to sample fine sedimentary structures. The stages in the preparation of a peel are:

• 1. Shape the exposure: The face of the stratum to be sampled is ground until it is flat and...