Is it true that the world is running out of sand to produce concrete, and if so, why is that?
In: 92
I studied geology for 4 years and I can assure you that one day, eventually we will run out of sand but idiots will be always replenished as their mums are always pregnant
deal with it
Like many resources, we are running out of the cheap and easily accessible versions.
People will naturally go for the “low hanging fruit”, taking what’s there for the sake of immediacy. But this supply isn’t infinite. We know how to make the resources, but often its easier just to pick it from the environment. Enough time and usage has passed that this easy resource has depleted, and can’t be replenished by natural cycles in our lifetime.
We have hardwood floors. You have socks that have little grippy dots on the bottom so you don’t slide around when you’re running around the house, and this gripping power is called friction. Your regular socks are no good for playing in the house because you will not be able to stop. Concrete needs the grippy sand because the sand is gripping the cement and gravel together, and we want concrete to always stop after it has cured.
The cheap, naturally occurring grippy sand is being gobbled up fast because it is useful for concrete- on land or being dredged up from lakes and ponds. River and beach sand- basically any sand that’s already gone through long term erosion processes – isn’t grippy enough to be used in concrete.
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