Hello, I'm the OUTDOOR PROFESSOR from DiscoveringTheOutdoors.com/
Here's your outdoor tip on sand.
Sand frequently goes with the outdoors and water. I’ve enjoyed the white sand of the Gulf Coast many times, but some of my most pleasant experiences have been squeaking through the sand while camping on remote river sandbars. We take sand for granted with it getting in our hair, clothes and food during a picnic at the beach. But sand can have an interesting history.
Sand is granular material composed of fine rock and mineral particles normally defined finer than gravel and more coarse than silt. The composition of sand is dependent on local rock sources and conditions, but inland or non-tropical sand is normally made of silica, a form of quartz. The second most common type of sand is calcium carbonate created by millions of years of life forms such as coral and shellfish.
Sand particle size ranges in diameter from .0625mm or 1/16 mm to 2mm according to geologists although different organizations have varying measurements. In general, it can be said that sand feels gritty when rubbed between the fingers. In comparison, silt feels like flour. The study of grains of sand can reveal historical information as to its origin. Quartz sand is angular or sharp and is preferred for concrete or for loosening clay soil in gardening. Sand transported by water or wind will be round and is typical of the desert.
And what about that squeaking sand? It was not until I explored the sandbars on the river that I experienced the crunching squeak of my steps across the sand. I had never experienced sand squeaking before so I did some research as to why not all sand talked to you. Unfortunately, I found there was not complete agreement as to why sand squeaked. Most think the type of noisy sand is silicate, feldspar, or carbonate with rounded edges. The grains should be dry and about 300 micrometers in diameter. It seems the sand noise is most clearly heard when the sand is clean-recently washed. Some then call it music when the friction of the grains rub against each other.
Singing sand or not, a sandy beach makes a great place to enjoy sunbathing or a picnic. A little sand in your sandwich or sand in your swimming suit or shoes is an expected outdoor happening. Camping on a beach or sandbar is a great outdoor adventure for anyone—and beyond sunbathing, a terrific place to view the night’s stars.
This is the OUTDOOR PROFESSOR from DiscoveringTheOutdoors.com/
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References-Additional Reading
What is Sand?
http://www.livescience.com/34748-what-is-sand-beach-sand.html
What is sand made of?
http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/saltwater-science
What is sand made of?
http://www.sandatlas.org/what-is-sand-made-of/
Nature Quotient.
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Outdoor Professor’s Tips: Exploring the Wonders of Nature
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