Sand is Not Just For Beach Decorations
If there’s one thing that all beach goers love, it’s the sand. It’s something that brings out the inner child in all of us. The coolness of the sea, the warmth of the sun, the breeze, the crowds of people enjoying themselves, all of it can make for a special and unique kind of experience. And if you happen to be a beach bum (and who isn’t? ), then you know how much fun beach days can be.
When it comes to beaches, most people think of the golden sands of California. But sand doesn’t have to be just about the color of the surf and the rocky cliffs. There are dozens of “sands” around the world that are perfect to enjoy on a long weekend getaway. In fact, you may find it difficult to imagine any other type of beach vacation. From giant waves lapping the coast to rocky shores with huge amounts of water crashing onto the beach, there is no shortage of things to do on the ocean. And because the sand is so abundant, it can be used in a multitude of ways:
As mentioned above, California is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to beaches. Although the state is the most popular destination for people to go to, there are literally dozens of beaches throughout the country that offer the same kind of things that California does. However, the difference between most beaches coastal erosion, is that the waves hit the shore at much farther distance, making them much more damaging to the shoreline.
Beaches are becoming polluted in other ways as well. Beach pollution refers to the harmful substances and/or waste that ocean goers inadvertently emit into the ocean, while also causing harm to marine life. Many environmentalists have been fighting to have pollution laws passed that will require resort owners to use low level chemical cleansers on their properties, thus preventing more pollution in the future.
Coastal erosion also contributes to increasing sand levels at the beaches. This increase in the sand speeds up the rate at which waves hit the shoreline, thereby increasing the amount of uplift sand and erosion. Erosion rates also increase along the beach as seawater encroaches and adds additional weight to the beach, reducing its stability and allowing it to break into smaller pieces that break into the surf.
Along with beach nourishment, sand has other uses as well. Sand is needed to help build roads, maintain beaches, bury barriers, and other structures like dunes and levees. Without sand, these things would be hard to build. Plus, without sand, it is difficult to have beaches in the first place. Ocean debris such as shells, small rocks, and coral are also added to the mix as well as various types of vegetation that create shade and habitat for various sea animals. The more natural and organic the sand is, the better it is for the marine ecosystem and for beach goers alike.