Particle Size Distribution and Composition of Soil Sample Analysis in a Single Pumping Well Using a Scanning Electron Microscope Coupled with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and the Laser Diffraction Method (LDM)
, Muhammad Izzuddin Syakir 1,2,*, Saleh Ali Tweib 3, Muhammad Irman Khalif Ahmad Aminuddin 4, Mohamad Shaiful Md Yusuff 1, Abdullah H. Alsabhan 5, Faisal M. Alfaisal 5, Shamshad Alam 5 and Jibran Qadri 6
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The purposes of this article have focused on the soil characteristics and elemental analysis of a single borehole with 11 samples collected around Labu Kubong, Perak. The soil properties were analyzed in the context of Particle Size Distribution (PSD) using the Laser Diffraction Method (LDM), as well as soil compositions, for elemental analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). However, the following key information is missing. This paper can be accepted after some correction and additions:
1、 The abstract should be concise.
2、 The topic focuses on the soil size distribution, but there is no description in the text, so the comparative analysis of soil size needs to be added.
3、 The description of the Introduction section 100-102 can be removed and focus on describing the application of SEM-EDX in soil.
4、 The experimental part 2.3Previous studies of geophysical surveys in study area shall clearly describe the specific contents of Figures. 3 and 4.
5、 The labelling of the samples in Figure 5 is not clear, and the author should set up text labels next to them to show them clearly.
6、 It is recommended that the diagrams be clearly labeled as to what TL1 and TL2 in Figure 1 represent respectively.
7、 What is meant by the phrase "According to the previous study, this formation was divided into five members based on localities such as Teluk Intan, Port Weld, Bagan Datoh, Parit Buntar, and Matang Gelugor" in lines 141-143?
8、 During sample collection, it is recommended to collect samples from other ranges in addition to those between 5.6 m and 61.2 m as a control to make the study more complete.
9、 It is suggested that these two sentences in lines 288-291 introduce references to make this study more reliable.
10、 It is recommended that the format of the notes is consistent, for example, some have the first line indented ( Figure 1. ) and some do not ( Figure 11. ).
11、 Figure 12 contains non-metallic elements (C, O, Si), while the figure note states heavy elements, it is recommended to change it to be consistent.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Dear Prof. Thanks for reviewing the manuscript. We tried to improve the corrections accordingly. Kindly see the answer according to the comments.
1. The abstract should be concise.
Ans. Already concise the abstract.
2. The topic focuses on the soil size distribution, but there is no description in the text, so the comparative analysis of soil size needs to be added.
Ans. We tried to mentioned soil size distribution in the lines 58, described the comparative analysis of soil size in the line from 68 to 72.
3. The description of the Introduction section 100-102 can be removed and focus on describing the application of SEM-EDX in soil.
Ans. Already removed from the paragraph.
4. The experimental part 2.3 Previous studies of geophysical surveys in study area shall clearly describe the specific contents of Figures. 3 and 4.
Ans. Already described in the lines from 183 to 185.
5. The labelling of the samples in Figure 5 is not clear, and the author should set up text labels next to them to show them clearly.
Ans. Already labelled in the figure 5.
6. It is recommended that the diagrams be clearly labeled as to what TL1 and TL2 in Figure 1 represent respectively.
Ans. Already mentioned see the lines 129-130.
7. What is meant by the phrase "According to the previous study, this formation was divided into five members based on localities such as Teluk Intan, Port Weld, Bagan Datoh, Parit Buntar, and Matang Gelugor" in lines 141-143?
Ans. Already make it clear in line 139-141.
8. During sample collection, it is recommended to collect samples from other ranges in addition to those between 5.6 m and 61.2 m as a control to make the study more complete.
Ans. Already change in the lines 198-199. These samples have been collected to change the composition of the soil or lithological formation in the borehole but after 62 m depth hard rock has found, so did not for further investigation.
9. It is suggested that these two sentences in lines 288-291 introduce references to make this study more reliable.
Ans. We tried to make more reliable.
10. It is recommended that the format of the notes is consistent, for example, some have the first line indented ( Figure 1. ) and some do not ( Figure 11. )
Ans. Noted and improved
11. Figure 12 contains non-metallic elements (C, O, Si), while the figure note states heavy elements, it is recommended to change it to be consistent.
Ans. The figure 12 has been changed with consistency of elemental concentration.
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors
After detailed readings in the manuscript, entitled: "Particle Size Distribution and Composition of Soil Samples Analysis in Single Pumping Well using Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and Laser Diffraction Method (LDM)", I suggest ACCEPT the manuscript with minor corrections:
1 - At the end of the Abstract, it is necessary to address the importance and need for this study on a global scale.
2 - The manuscript has "Keywords" that are repeated with the title, it is necessary to convey a broader idea for the reader. It is necessary to correct.
3 - The introduction is very well reasoned, but I suggest adding the importance of this study to the world at the end of the introduction. This would arouse the interest of readers more.
4 - Congratulations on the figures, they have a good graphic resolution.
5 - I suggest including geographic north in Figure 2.
6 - The methodology is well founded. The authors really did a good job. Congratulations.
7 - The conclusion is well founded, together with the good quality of the English used in the text, which is clear and understandable. Congratulations.
Author Response
Dear Prof. Thanks for reviewing the manuscript. We tried to improve the corrections accordingly.
1 - At the end of the Abstract, it is necessary to address the importance and need for this study on a global scale.
Ans. End of abstract, we improved the correction accordingly.
2 - The manuscript has "Keywords" that are repeated with the title, it is necessary to convey a broader idea for the reader. It is necessary to correct.
Ans. The keywords has changed accordingly.
3 - The introduction is very well reasoned, but I suggest adding the importance of this study to the world at the end of the introduction. This would arouse the interest of readers more.
Ans. We added some information end of the introduction.
4 - Congratulations on the figures, they have a good graphic resolution.
Ans. Thanks for your appropriation.
5 - I suggest including geographic north in Figure 2.
Ans. We included the direction in Figure 2.
6 - The methodology is well founded. The authors really did a good job. Congratulations.
Ans. Thanks for your appropriation.
7 - The conclusion is well founded, together with the good quality of the English used in the text, which is clear and understandable. Congratulations.
Ans. Thanks for your appropriation.
