How and Why Are These Materials Important? (And Not Just for Construction)

Although the amount of sand on the planet looks to be abundant—for example, in deserts that stretch across continents—the amount of usable sand is decreasing worldwide. In the building business, only specific varieties of sand are suitable for use.In the case of desert sand, for example, the wind erosion process generates spherical grains that are not ideal for use in concrete or building because they do not bind well together. Construction sand is the name given to the specific type of sand that is usable. In addition, as the world’s population and cities continue to rise, there will be an ever-increasing demand for this rapidly depleting supply of water.Sand and gravel are consumed at a rate of around 50 billion tonnes per year, according to estimates. And the sand mining sector alone is worth $70 billion (in US dollars). With the increase in demand for sand from the worldwide construction industry and the resulting decrease in available supply, it has become an increasingly essential and valuable resource over the years.

INFRASTRUCTURE

It is very necessary to use sand and gravel in the construction of roads, highways, buildings, residences, and other infrastructure for us to be able to live our lives. Sand and gravel were used in the construction of the schools in which we study, the buildings in which we work, the hospitals in which we get medical treatment, and the houses in which we create our lives. And the list continues for all the various sorts of structures on which we rely for entertainment, food, and other things that we consider needs.Apart from serving as a building material, natural aggregates also contribute to the formation of land that serves as a foundation for our infrastructures, such as bridges and roads. Visit Riversands for more information.

HABITATS

Sand and gravel are the building blocks of many natural ecosystems, including beaches, riverbeds, and aquatic and riparian habitats. Sand and gravel are also used to construct roads and bridges. Furthermore, when land reclamation is implemented, the newly constructed ecosystems serve as a haven for a variety of animals.

RECLAMATION OF LAND

Aggregate firms give back to the environment once a sand and gravel quarry is no longer in use by repurposing the land to create new habitats such as green areas, beaches, and lakes. It is common for this freshly recovered ground to serve as a natural habitat for both humans and wildlife, often in conjunction with nearby housing projects, or as parks and swimming holes.

Sand and gravel are unique natural resources because of the numerous applications for which they are used. Our homes, roads, buildings, and cities would not be what they are now if sand and gravel had not been used to construct them. Furthermore, the locations we visit to get away from the city, such as lakes and beaches, may not be as clean and full of animals if these natural resources are not present to sustain them.