Silica Sand

Silica is the name given to a group of minerals composed of silicon and oxygen, the two most abundant elements in the earth's crust. Silica is found commonly in the crystalline state and rarely in an amorphous state. It is composed of one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen resulting in the chemical formula SiO2. Sand consists of small grains or particles of mineral and rock fragments. Although these grains may be of any mineral composition, the dominant component of sand is the mineral quartz, which is composed of silica (silicon dioxide). Other components may include aluminum, feldspar and iron-bearing minerals. Sand with particularly high silica levels that is used for purposes other than construction is referred to as silica sand or industrial sand