A Comparative Examination of the Structural and Physicochemical Characteristics between Algeria Valleys and Dunes Sand

Abstract

This study explores the physical, chemical, and microstructural attributes of two different types of natural sand , specifically white sand and dune sand from Bir El Ater river in the north east and Engoussa in the southeast of Algeria. Various analytical methods have been used such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser dispersion particle size. The FTIR and XRD analyses confirm that both white sand and dune sand are primarily composed of high proportions of α-quartz (SiO₂), while containing minimal quantities of calcite (CaCO₃) and gypsum minerals (CaSO₄;2H₂O). The chemical analysis further confirms that both sand types exhibit significant silica (SiO₂) content, its percentage of white sand is 92.95% and 44.63% of dune sand, alongside very low amounts of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, K₂O and Na₂O oxides. The dune sand had a greater CaO content compared to the white sand. The grain samples of the white sand have shapes ranged from sub-angular, rounded, surrounded, well-rounded and irregular. In contrast, the dune sands featured shapes that ranged from sub-angular to well-rounded. For Bir El Ater samples, the values are between 51.471 and 1754.613 μm, while for Engoussa samples, the values are between 200 to 3019.738μm.

These results indicate that both white sand and dune sands exhibit mineralogical stability and possess suitable chemical properties for application as fine aggregates in construction. Moreover, these sands have the potential to serve as valuable sources of quartz minerals. The findings from this study provide valuable insights for identifying specific industrial and nanotechnology applications for each of these sand types.