An efficient,inexpensive elutriator design for separating benthos from sediment samples

A design for an elutriator is given. The elutriator has an efficiency of 96.1 ± 3.5% in sorting mixed invertebrates from sandy sediments in five minute trial runs. It is easily constructed from PVC pipe and fittings which are available in most hardware stores at low cost. It can also be adapted for portable use in the field.