SAND:

• Sand comes from the erosion of rocks. The main ingredient in sand is quartz, as it erodes from all sorts of rocks and gets weathered in the form of grains at it is transported in water and wind. These grains are then deposited in rivers, deltas and along the coast.

• About half of North Carolina counties mine sand. The Sandhills region in the inner part of the Coastal Plain (next to the Piedmont) is the main sand producer in the state.

• Most sand is used for construction in the form of aggregates for concrete, asphalt, fill, bricks and concrete blocks. It’s also used as an abrasion material (eg. sandpaper and sand blasting) and to make glass.