Sand from islands or tropical sites have sand that is high in Calcium, since seashells are rich in Calcium and are broken down to form sand there.
Inland lake, river, stream and pond sands are high in Silicon, since rocks are composed of various types of silicates which break down to form sand there.
Most of the “black” sands, which are volcanic in origin, are high in Iron and Aluminum, since these elements are found in volcanic produced materials (lava, etc.).
The sand on the coast of Namibia (in southwest Africa) is definitely worth sifting. It contains diamonds!
Certain beaches and sand dunes create mysterious sounds that scientists still don’t completely understand. They sing, whistle, boom, bark, and even sound like a frog!
The rocks, pebbles, and sand on the beach are sorted by the waves. They vary in size from large pebbles down to very small ones, and finally to sand, which is almost pure quartz.
There’s not a source on Bermuda for quartz, yet about ten percent of Bermuda’s beach sand is quartz. Geologist Bruce Rueger has found the answer. It has been dropped out of the tail end of birds flying south. They carry grains in their crops (part of their throat) to help with digestion. (Bermuda lies smack in the middle of a major migratory route)
I was really lazy today and all of this came from http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/curriculum/MISmart/ocean/sandfact.htm .
If you have any questions please e-mail beachchairscientist@gmail.com or let us know at http://www.beachchairscientist.com.
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