Articles tagged with Sand
A new study reveals that sand hoppers, a nocturnal crustacean, are the most effective shapers of California's beaches, moving 110 pounds of sand daily. Their burrowing brings plankton and oxygen-rich seawater, providing nutrients for other beach-dwellers.
Researchers analyzed millions of high-frequency turbidity measurements to reconstruct daily sediment movement, revealing a major shift: Rivers are becoming more 'bursty', with a 20-day decrease in the time it takes to transport 90% of their annual sediment. This change can overwhelm water treatment systems and damage aquatic habitats.
The research paper, published in an ICE journal, presents a new experimental approach to visualizing root growth and interaction with soil structures. The project's success highlights the global impact of research conducted at Kumamoto University.
Researchers have developed a new material called botanical sandcrete using desert sand with plant-based additives. This innovative solution reduces the need for traditional concrete, which accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions. The production process is relatively simple and can be made in many places.
Researchers find ocean sediment supply crucial for salt marshes to keep pace with rising seas. Southern New England marshes are showing signs of stress due to declining coastal sediment supply.
The increasing extraction of sand across the world is causing significant harm to marine ecosystems, leading to coastal erosion, habitat destruction, and the spread of invasive species. Integrating sand mining into broader environmental policies is crucial to mitigating its impacts.
A new Stanford review of hundreds of studies found little to no sediment dating back to the 34 million-year-old Eocene-Oligocene climate transition, contradicting conventional models. The researchers attribute this globally extensive gap in the geologic record to vigorous ocean bottom currents triggered by major climate shifts.
A new AI tool called SandAI can analyze sand grains to determine their history, including whether they were shaped by wind, water, or glacial movements. This technology has the potential to help with modern-day forensic investigations into illegal sand mining and related issues.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
A Dartmouth study suggests that social rank determines whether animals prioritize short-term energy consumption over long-term health, with dominant monkeys consuming food quickly to maintain dominance, while lower-ranked monkeys invest time in washing their food to prevent tooth damage. The findings shed light on the disposable soma h...
A study by Stanford University researchers reveals a previously unknown relationship between Sahara dust plumes and hurricane rainfall. Thicker dust plumes can lead to heavier rainfall, while thinner ones may suppress hurricane formation over the ocean.
A new study found that magnesium levels in sandhoppers increase during cold weather, slowing their activity. In deeper sleep, magnesium levels can more than double, putting the sandhopper into a torpid state and allowing it to conserve energy.
The Indian Institute of Science has developed new concrete materials using excavated soil, reducing the need for natural sand and minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. The innovative materials show improved compressive strength and reduced waste, offering a scalable solution to the construction sector's environmental challenges.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to analyze the behavior of granular materials, revealing their internal forces and shapes in 3D detail. This breakthrough may lead to better understanding of landslides and industrial processes.
Ben-Gurion University scientists propose a unified theory that explains sand ripples on Mars and Earth, suggesting common causes despite different planetary environments. The research was conducted using wind tunnel experiments and reveals the possibility of similar patterns on Earth.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan are revisiting old building practices to improve sustainability. They found that wood fly ash can enhance the strength of rammed earth construction, reducing sand exploitation and increasing insulation properties.
Scientists create a mixture of sticky and non-sticky grains to achieve stronger, tougher materials that can deform without cracking. The optimal ratio of sticky grains is found to be around 60%, which balances strength and toughness, making it ideal for designing composite materials with functional properties.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a graphene-derived material that can serve as a substitute for sand in concrete, offering a potential solution to the looming 'sand crisis.' The study found that the graphene-based concrete is 25% lighter but just as tough as conventional concrete.
The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the presence of water vapour, sulfur dioxide, and silicate sand clouds in the atmosphere of WASP-107b. The discovery sheds light on the dynamic atmosphere and potential temperature variations that enable these cloud formations.
A multi-institutional team analyzed the flow of simulated regolith using an artificial gravity generator on the ISS. The study found that flow characteristics follow well-known physical laws even at low gravity, and bulk density decreases with gravity.
Lehigh University researchers have discovered that applying magnetic forces to individual 'microroller' particles can spur collective motion, allowing the grains to flow uphill, up walls, and climb stairs. This counterintuitive phenomenon has potential applications in mixing, segregating materials, and microrobotics.
Researchers confirm termites as cause of Namib Desert fairy circles, refuting the self-regulation hypothesis. The study found that sand termites eliminate plants in sandy soils, enabling long-lasting water storage after infrequent rainfall.
Research found that microplastics can increase sand temperature, potentially altering sea turtle sex ratios and hatchling success. Concentrations of up to 30% microplastic had the greatest impact, with temperatures rising by 0.58 degrees Celsius.
High concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected in intertidal sands of the Wadden Sea. ROS inhibit microbial activity, reducing mineralization processes such as aerobic respiration and sulfate reduction, but their removal boosts microbial growth.
Researchers found that the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a 5-8°C warming event, was caused by high carbon dioxide and methane levels. The team's study provides new insights into sedimentary systems and the impact of seasonal changes on ocean turbidity.
Researchers found a signal of extreme climate change from 50 million years ago in turbidite deposits, which are evidence of ancient rapid submarine water currents. This suggests that extreme weather events and exacerbated global climatic conditions can amplify delivery of sand into the deep ocean.
Engineers at MIT and Georgia Tech have developed a faster and simpler way to model intrusion through any soft, flowable material. The new method uses Resistive Force Theory (RFT) and adapt it to 3D, predicting forces needed to push objects through sand, gravel, or other soft media in real-time.
A new study has shown that seagrass can reduce cliff erosion by up to 70% in sandy sediments due to its root mats binding the sand. The researchers also found that replanting seagrass in areas where it has disappeared is essential for mitigating coastal erosion.
Researchers used drones to monitor Waikīkī Beach, finding that wave energy from south swells and trade-wind generated waves drive erosion and accretion. The studies provide insights into beach behavior and help inform management of the coastline for ecological, societal, and economic sustainability.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that the Israeli shoreline is contaminated with more than two million tons of microplastics, with Tel Aviv and Hadera beaches being the most polluted. The researchers warn that exposure to microplastic waste is unavoidable and poses a risk to human health.
A low-cost sensor disguised as a sea turtle egg can predict nest hatching time almost to the day. The TurtleSense system monitors nests remotely and detects synchronized developmental movement in real-time, enabling better decision-making for conservationists.
Researchers from University of South Australia found that porous silica can prevent fats and carbohydrates from being adsorbed in the body. Engineered particles of purified sand are designed to soak up digestive enzymes, fats, and sugars within the gastrointestinal tract.
A team of researchers has identified three new turtle nesting sites in the central Red Sea, which could inform efforts to protect endangered sea turtles. The discovery was made using drone surveillance and sediment samples to identify optimal nesting conditions.
Researchers at TU Wien found that silicate nanoparticles can strengthen porous rock by forming colloidal crystals, which create new connections between mineral surfaces. The size of the particles is crucial for optimal strength gain, with smaller particles creating more binding sites.
Curtin researchers have found evidence of an almost four billion-year-old piece of the Earth's crust beneath Western Australia. The discovery was made by firing lasers at tiny grains of a mineral extracted from beach sand, revealing its geological history and influencing the region's evolution.
The Mekong delta, Southeast Asia's most productive agricultural region and home to 17 million people, is at risk of disappearing by the end of the century due to subsidence. Sediment loss from upstream dams and poor water management exacerbates the issue, threatening food security and livelihoods.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that falling beds of sand and melting gelatin exhibit similar destabilization behavior, characterized by fingering instabilities and fluidized interface regions. This study provides insights into the macroscopic physical behavior of granular materials and gels under gravity.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have successfully used recycled glass as a replacement for sand in 3D printing concrete mixtures. The new method offers a more environmentally sustainable way of building and construction, reducing waste and pollution.
Researchers have developed a simple, biodegradable ground cover that keeps soil wet longer and increases crop yields. The wax-coated sand barrier decreased soil moisture loss by up to 50-80% and improved plant growth, including increased fruit and grain production.
Researchers have developed a new method to study ancient grains of sand, revealing details of the Earth's distant geological past. The 'age distribution fingerprint' of zircon minerals sheds light on the evolution of continents and the accumulation of mineral resources.
Researchers have developed a method to detect tiny plastic scraps on remote beaches using satellite technology. This innovation enables the tracking of plastics within satellite images, allowing for more frequent and reliable observations.
Researchers at Pusan National University discovered that tempered glass is more resistant to water-promoted fracture growth than annealed glass. The study found that water droplets penetrate microcracks in glass surfaces, dissolving silicon-oxygen bonds and degrading mechanical strength.
Researchers designed a novel polymer to bind and strengthen silica sand for binder jet additive manufacturing, creating structures with intricate geometries and exceptional strength. The study demonstrates a 300-times-weight limit for a 3D-printed sand bridge.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the angle of repose of sand hills, which is influenced by particle size and gravity. The model was validated using simulations and has potential applications in space exploration, additive manufacturing, and planetary science.
Researchers used granular physics to explain the diamond shapes of asteroids Bennu and Ryugu. The models, which previously failed to predict the shape, were improved by adding the concept of material deposition, resulting in a more accurate explanation.
The sand industry is unsustainable due to rapid consumption, conflicting with eight of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Environmental and local human consequences are significant, including erosion, flooding, and polluted drinking water.
Researchers at Caltech studied ant digging habits and uncovered mechanisms guiding their tunnel construction. Ants use efficient techniques to minimize work, digging straight tunnels along cup edges, and sensing force chains to avoid digging there.
A study by Max Planck Institute researchers found that bacteria on sand grains in the North Sea and Arctic remain consistent throughout seasons. The community's stability suggests a lack of available space for new inhabitants.
A new study published in Nature Communications finds that sand grains are in constant motion, challenging prevailing theories. Researchers used optical interference data to observe individual sand particles at rest and found they behave like glass, with creeping soil rates controlled by disturbances such as heat or tapping.
New research from UMass Amherst reveals how beach sand grain size relates to the slope of the beach. The study found that finer-grained sand determines a beach's slope in bi-modal beaches. This discovery has implications for understanding how New England's beaches will respond to sea-level rise and increased storm activity.
Researchers have developed a fast and controllable soft robot that can burrow through sand with minimal resistance. The robot's design is inspired by plants and animals that navigate subterranean spaces, enabling new applications for underwater exploration and potentially paving the way for future space missions.
MIT researchers have designed a sharp-tipped robot finger with tactile sensing to identify buried objects in granular material. The Digger Finger successfully sensed the shapes of submerged items and can penetrate sand and rice, with potential applications for finding buried cables or disarming bombs.
Two invasive beachgrass species introduced to the Pacific Northwest are hybridizing, altering the region's dune-building ecosystem. The new hybrid combines traits from both parent species, with the potential to impact coastline stability and biodiversity.
Scientists call for stronger focus on understanding sand use and extraction to achieve economic and environmental justice. A new approach considers the interlinkages of sand supply and demand, linking extraction, processing, distribution, economics, and policy to reduce negative impacts.
Scientists are searching for sunken treasure that holds key to protecting Texas' Gulf shoreline from storms and rising seas. They will create a high-resolution seismic map of ancient river valleys to estimate volume and quality of sand.
Researchers are using multibeam sonar to study shifting sands in the Colorado River system, aiming to preserve sandbars through conservation management. The project involves mapping underwater topography and analyzing changes in sediment storage, with potential implications for native fish populations and ecosystem sustainability.
Scientists created a mixture of silicone-coated and normal sand to study the behavior of wet granular materials. Adding a certain threshold of magic sand leads to an abrupt change in clustering and rigidity, allowing for the tuning of flow properties.
Researchers discovered that sidewinders' bellies have tiny pits and few spikes, which enhances sidewinding but is not as efficient for forward undulation. The study provides insights into convergent evolution and could lead to improvements in human technology, such as snake robots for search-and-rescue missions.
Researchers led by Syracuse University's Suzanne Baldwin deciphered the story of garnet sand, which holds secrets of its journey through the rock cycle. The findings indicate that the rock recycling process occurred in less than 10 million years, offering insights into geologic evolution and plate boundary dynamics.
Scientists investigate how moisture in sand affects sound travel across beaches, shedding light on factors influencing long-range sound propagation. The findings will help develop numerical models describing how sound travels through coastal areas, accounting for various environmental factors.