Pebbles get their name from their cobble-like shape, and they are formed gradually over a long period of time. Natural forces such as crustal movement, mountain torrents, water transportation, repeated rolling, and friction between sand and stones all contribute to the formation of lovely round pebbles.
Rivers flow through different geological structures, and mountains have different rocks. After erosion, pebbles with different compositions are formed. Rocks on high mountains collapse due to weathering, and during the scouring process of the river, they are transported by water and grind against each other to form pebbles.
Although you can find many pebbles in a river, they are smooth because the water has rounded their corners and smoothed their surfaces over many years. River pebbles are formed naturally, not due to the friction of running water.
They are mainly formed by the continuous overlapping and accumulation of silicon, calcium, and other trace elements. Stones with better quality are developed on the stone roots themselves.
Pebble tools are the earliest known man-made objects, dating back to the Paleolithic period of human history. Pebbles come in a variety of colors and textures. They are mostly smooth, but this depends on how often they come into contact with water or other rocks.
The main chemical composition of pebbles is silicon dioxide, followed by a small amount of iron oxide and traces of manganese, copper, aluminum, magnesium, and other elements and compounds.
They have different pigments themselves, such as red for iron, blue for copper, purple for manganese, and yellow and translucent for silica colloidal stone pulp.
Due to the different types and contents of these pigment ions dissolved in the silica hydrothermal solution, they present a variety of shades and hues. Cobblestones can be black, white, yellow, red, dark green, blue-gray, and other colors.
Pebbles have many uses. They are the most common type of filter material and play a crucial role in water treatment. Pebbles can be used as a filter material or as a filter layer. They are a cheap but very practical filter medium. Laying pebbles in layers can effectively absorb dust and harmful substances and play a good role in filtering.
Pebbles are widely used in public buildings, villas, courtyard buildings, paved roads, bonsai-filling materials, garden art, and other high-level superstructures. They not only promote ancient oriental culture but also embody western classical, elegant, and back-to-basic artistic styles.
Pebbles not only provide high-quality materials for water purification, sewage treatment, electricity, gardens, and other projects, but they also provide raw and auxiliary materials for ceramics, precision casting, papermaking, spray grinding, chemical industry, single crystal silicon, and more.
Stone stacking has been common since ancient times, and people have used it as a sign to prevent themselves from getting lost. Today, it has become a hobby, a form of self-expression, and a meditation practice.
Although stacking rocks is a great way to relax and practice patience, wildlife experts are concerned about the behavior. They argue that this seemingly innocuous process damages nature, even if we don't notice it.
The act of piling up stones can pose a significant threat to the ecosystem. In freshwater streams, for example, every rock is teeming with plants and microbes, and disturbing their habitat can disrupt the natural and fragile balance of this ecosystem.
If large amounts of rock are moved, it could cause faster erosion and even disrupt the flow of rivers and creeks.
