Sand can be defined as a mixture of tiny pieces of various types of rocks, minerals, soil, and even gemstones. It is gritty to touch and is best described as something that slips away from your hands as you try to hold it harder. The particles of sand known as grains are even smaller than gravel and can also be formed as a result of weathering as well as erosion.
Can You Flush Sand Down The Toilet?
No, you should never flush sand down the toilet as it will never dissolve in the water. This is because water does not have a strong bond to dissolve the sand. As a result, it can flow through the pipes over time and settle in your toilet blocking the drain and the sewer system. So, if you notice any amount of sand in the tank of your toilet, it is time for you to clean it.
What Are The Different Types Of Sand?
The most common types of sand available in the market today are silica sand, coral sand, immature sand, Ooid sand, glass sand, gypsum sand, pit sand, sea sand, desert sand, mixed carbonate silicate sand, river sand, green sand, lithic sand, biogenic sand, olivine sand, heavy mineral sand, continental sand, garnet sand, volcanic ash sand, sands with hematitic pigment, black sand, and quartz sand.
What Are The Various Colors Of Sand?
The white sand is composed of eroded limestone and fragments of coral and shell. Black sand is made of volcanic minerals, lava fragments, and coral deposits. Pink sand is made of a microscopic organism that contains a reddish-pink shell. Red-orange sand is composed of an iron oxide coating. White-grey sand is made of fine rounded grains. Light-brown sand consists of rounded grains.
What Are The Main Uses Of Sand?
Sand is used for providing strength and bulk to the construction materials such as bricks, concrete blocks, asphalt, and pipes. Certain varieties of sand can be used as a molding material for casting metals, for decorating landscaping, and also in the manufacturing of glass. Some other uses are water filtration, railroad ballast, roofing shingles, and also on icy roads on winter days.
Why Is Sand Used In Construction Works?
Sand is considered to be a very essential ingredient in almost all types of construction works as it can very easily be mixed with cement and lime in the making of mortar for plastic of high quality and also for joining bricks as well as stones. It can also be used to make concrete by mixing with cement. Due to its various uses especially in real estate, sand is the world’s second most used material.
Final Words
Amongst all the countries, the United States exports the largest quantity of sand followed by the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. According to a study, the earth has seven quintillions, five hundred quadrillion grains of sand which are roughly estimated including the sand of all the deserts and beaches in the world. Some animals that live in the sand are crabs, beetles, and beach flies.
