Sands are fascinating objects of studies for the layman and the expert alike. Each sample reflects a multitude of factors which affected its texture (size, sorting, rounding) and mineralogical composition. These factors are thus represented in each sample, can be documented, compared and calibrated against known influences. Sands can be considered players in the Earth's everlasting cycle of weathering, transport, sedimentation, diagenesis, metamorphism und uplift. They are the product of the bringing regions undergoing erosion and regions allowing sedimentation; they thus yield information on both. In addition, sands are the precursor to sandstones of the subsurface which act as reservoir to oil, gas, and water. |