Random School Writings

Sand

Context: In science class, we had to choose something; I don't remember. But this is what happened from that project. I honestly am sorry, I don't remember why I did this one, but here it is.

Where does it come from?

Sand forms when rocks break down from weathering and eroding.

This can take thousands or even millions of years to erode into the sand.

Often starting thousands of miles from the ocean, rocks slowly travel down rivers and streams, constantly breaking down along the way.

Once they make it to the ocean, they further erode from the constant action of waves and tides.

How is it used & what's the refining/extracting process?

Sand is used to providing bulk, strength, and other properties to construction materials like asphalt and concrete. It is also used as a decorative material in landscaping. Specific types of sand are used in the manufacture of glass and as a molding material for metal casting.

It is extracted mainly through an open pit (or sandpit) but sometimes mined from beaches and inland dunes or dredged from ocean and river beds.

Sand is a key ingredient for roads, glass, and electronics.

Video:

 Environmental Problems:

The most notable environmental effects include bed erosion, air pollution, and loss of valuable trees and animal species.

It alters the river bed, forces the river to change course, erodes banks, and leads to flooding. It also destroys the habitat of aquatic animals and micro-organisms besides affecting groundwater recharge.

Air pollution is caused by the handling, mining, and processing of sand. The important sources of air emissions come from the tiny dust particles – known as particulate matter – scattered during mining and processing.

The loss of valuable trees and animals is caused by deforestation. The mining of sand and gravel in the study area destroyed vegetation thereby destroying the natural habitats of some animals. Some very important plant species are also destroyed and the soil is exposed to erosion.

The world is running out of sand. Worldwide, we go through 50 billion tons of sand every year. That is twice the amount produced by every river in the world. After air and water, sand is our most used natural resource.