CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS MADE WITH SAND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the many products that are produced with sand, the more prevalent ones used in construction tend to be concrete, glass, and plaster. Considering that all three of these materials are found in almost every construction project across the globe, many general contractors are monitoring the sand shortage situation closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHAT TYPE OF SAND IS NEEDED?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For those unfamiliar with sand\u2019s role in the production of construction materials, they may wonder how it\u2019s possible to have a shortage of sand. In the United States alone, there is more than 86,000 square miles of desert, which is less than 1 percent of the total sandy deserts on Earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the sand in deserts is very fine and smooth, so the ability for the grains to bond is basically non-existent, rendering them completely ineffective for the production of materials like concrete. Even cities like Dubai, which are surrounded by vast deserts, have to import sand<\/a> from countries like Australia to construct their buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sand used in the production of construction materials is mainly extracted from riverbeds, lakes, oceans, and beaches. This type is known as marine sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HOW MARINE SAND IS CREATED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the sand that you find on beaches is primarily made up of quartz and mainly originates in rivers and streams. Erosion takes place in these waterways and the sand that is produced is carried to the ocean where the waves break it down even further. The hard pounding of the water currents and waves against the rocks creates a type of sand with jagged edges, allowing it to bond together easier. This process is what makes marine sand better suited as bonding material than that of desert sand, which is roughly all the same size and smoother because it is moved by the wind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n EXTRACTION\u2019S EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This process of extraction is not very eco-friendly as it creates unnatural erosion, destroys ecosystems, and pollutes waterways. Citing environmental concerns, specifically erosion, the State of California, under pressure from local activists, forced the CEMEX Lapis plant<\/a> in Monterey to shut down its operation. This was the last coastal sand mine in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LACK OF REGULATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike other commodities, sand has very little to no regulations, depending on what part of the world you are in. This is what ultimately makes it a cheap commodity in comparison with others. Other than ocean mine operations, which is a little more involved, it is fairly easy to extract sand and transport it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to the lack of regulations, sand can theoretically be mined by anyone who has a shovel and a bucket and it often is. However, they do have to compete with the large companies who have the proper machinery for such operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SAND PIRATES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It may sound like something from out of an apocalyptic movie, but sand pirates are very real, although in some areas, like India, they are referred to as sand mafias<\/a>. These organized gangs have been known to remove entire beaches literally overnight. Over time, we have seen entire islands disappear<\/a> due to erosion because of illegal sand mining operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no differentiating between pirates and sand mafia, as both often rely on intimidation through violence to carry out their mission. There are plenty of instances where bribes were offered and murders were committed by the sand pirates who operate on black markets all over the world. From the Caribbean, to India, to the Far East, sand pirates have murdered journalists, law enforcement officials, and environmental activists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WILL WE RUN OUT OF SAND?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another negative byproduct of having no regulations is that there is no inventory of just how much sand is actually out there. What we do know is there is not an infinite supply and mining it can have catastrophic effects on the environment depending on where and how it is sourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly a third of the construction on the entire planet is happening in China, where they produce more concrete than the rest of the countries<\/a> in the world combined. From 2011 to 2013, China used more concrete than the U.S. did in the entire 20th Century<\/a>. This, of course, means they use a large amount of sand for their concrete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently released a report<\/a> where they make 10 recommendations to solve what they call a \u201ccrisis\u201d in the sand industry. Among their recommendations are \u201crecognize sand as a strategic resource\u201d; \u201cmap, monitor and report sand resources\u201d; \u201crestore ecosystems and compensate for remaining losses\u201d; and \u201csource responsibly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arguably the most important recommendation from UNEP states, \u201cEstablish best practices and national standard, and a coherent international framework.\u201d Organizing the international community to regulate the sand industry is tantamount to solving all of the other present issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ALTERNATIVES TO SAND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Sand](\"https:\/\/lgedesignbuild.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sand-002-1024x576.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Sand](\"https:\/\/lgedesignbuild.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Sand-003-1024x576.webp\")
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