Comment by dirtyid
5 years ago
This is a topic with very scant literature. I'm curious if there's an account of global sand reserves. Unlike oil/shale, other mineral resources, it seems like available construction sand is basically all discovered by virtue of being on the surface. I'm wondering if there are predictions for peak sand, what current sand reserves translates to in total tons of future concrete production etc. Otherwise it seems like the kind of resource that need to managed properly, seeing how land reclamation projects will be increasingly necessary with raising water levels. Engineered timbre can replace some building needs, but I can't think of an alternative to concrete for other critical infrastructure like roads.
Sand is also renewable - it ie created by erosion continously. Although the volume is likely insufficient. If a holy grail of cheap enough energy grinding solid rock through some means could theoretically produce the desired grained sand at an affordable price.