With around 40% of the world’s population living in coastal areas, coastal erosion is a pressing global issue. However, researchers from Northwestern University in the US have discovered that applying gentle electric currents to beach sand could create a natural, sustainable defence against the relentless onslaught of waves and rising sea levels.
According to the results of the study, recently published on StudyFinds, applying an electric current to seawater-saturated sand leads to the formation of mineral deposits that bind the sand grains together. Lower voltages (2.0-3.0V) mainly produce calcium carbonate, while higher voltages (4.0V) facilitate the formation of magnesium hydroxide and hydromagnesite. The treated sand showed a significant increase in strength, with some samples becoming as hard as young concrete.
The process also significantly reduces the permeability of the sand, making it more water-resistant. While the study has some limitations, it does introduce a new approach to mitigating coastal erosion that could be more sustainable, cost-effective, and adaptable than traditional methods.
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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dien-co-the-cuu-bo-bien-post756005.html
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