Silt recycling companies Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Silt recycling companies - Research Paper Example Volkmar, et al, (2005:43) noted that silt is formed from various weathering processes that result to the breakdown of weakened sand quartz crystals structures. In addition, sludge consists of substantial amounts of silt. There are various weathering processes involved in the breakdown of these crystals including chemical, biological and physical weathering processes. However, physical weathering is the most prevalent method of silt formation that occurs in artificial processes such as building, transport, grinding and construction, (Volkmar, et al, 2005: 59). Similarly, substantial amount of silt is formed from glacial movements and in deserts or semi arid regions (Agathos and Walter, 2005: 28). Importance of silt recycling Silt recycling is an important economic and environmental practice and many companies are currently engaged in the business. Silt is normally transported and deposited in water bodies such as lakes, dams, and rivers. According to Balata, Piazzi, and Benedetti (200 7:79), soil erosion especially in rural areas and construction industry in urban areas causes massive transportation of silt into water bodies. When the sediments are retained in the water bodies, they reduce the volume of water that could be stored in the water body and this causes diverse environmental, social, and economic problems. These include reduced capacity of producing hydroelectric power, flooding and lack of enough water to sustain the surrounding communities (Benbi, and Nieder, 2008: 43). In pastoral communities especially in dry areas, De’ Haas, et al (2005) noted that siltation in dams is one of the major cause of conflict. In addition, siltation in dams increases the cost of maintenance and water treatment. Consequently, water supply, fisheries and tourism are adversely affected. Moreover, silt deposits forms one of the most fertile regions for crop cultivation and some regions along major rivers such as river Nile and Mississippi are some of most important fo od producing parts in the world (Cerling, James, and Denise (2005). In this respect, silt recycling is important in order to enhance its economic importance and minimize the adverse environmental impacts. Many companies are currently engaged in silt recycling business because of environmental and economic reasons. Silt recycling provides an effective way of improving the health of agricultural soils and at the same time enhancing the capacity of water storage bodies. According to Benbi and Nieder, (2008: 38), the interactions between lands, water and human beings are highest in water bodies such as dams and the resulting sediments provides very high agricultural and ecological potentials. Because of the discovered potential, companies are increasingly recycling silt to improve agricultural capacity of soils, while at the same time enhancing the capacity of the water bodies to store water and serve their ecological and environmental functions. In addition, silt recycling provides com panies with the opportunity of reducing the environmental impact of the silt especially in regions where the soils has been contaminated by harmful chemicals and heavy metals (Sutherland, and Meyer, 2007: 91). In construction industry, silt is produced in large quantities and it presents serious storage and transportation problem. In such circumstances, silt-recycling companies in the construction industry make sand and coarse aggregates from silts and fines that are used in other