What Is Sodium Bentonite & What Is It Used For?
Small water bodies, such as lakes and ponds, frequently experience increased rates of water seepage and leaking into the soil around them. The soil in the pond bed and the surrounding sides of the pond can absorb or leak water, this resulting in diminishing the water level in the pond. Sodium bentonite is an effective pond sealant product that is extremely effective at preventing and stopping leaks in ponds. But, what is sodium bentonite?
Understanding the answer to “What is sodium bentonite” can help you solve your pond leaking problems. Sodium bentonite, also known as bentonite clay, is often used as an earthen sealant for a variety of applications. Sodium bentonite is a natural substance that is used as a sealant in ponds, lagoons, and small lakes. Sodium bentonite can also be used to plug holes in wells, landfills, and even dams.
While sodium bentonite has many applications and uses where it is extremely effective, many individuals still wonder what is sodium bentonite and how it can effectively curb the issue of water seepage? To learn more about the answers to these questions and to buy clay bentonite products, contact us at Southwestern Materials online or by phone at 888-600-6077.
What Is Sodium Bentonite?
To understand what is sodium bentonite, one must look at how it is formed. The origins of bentonite as it is today date back to the Cretaceous period. During this time, there were a number of factors that contributed to the deposition of sodium bentonite in the North America region. The Cretaceous Period bore witness to a number of massive volcanic eruptions that sent large amount of volcanic ashes high into the atmosphere.
Over time, this ash fell into oceans that formed a majority of the landmass of the North American region at the time. This volcanic ash settled at the seabeds for a number of years, with ocean currents causing the ash to gather in large clusters. A shifting of the North American plate and consequent re-shaping of the North American landscape caused ocean waters to flow west, leaving these volcanic ash sediment clusters to dry. These sediments are what is now known as sodium bentonite.
So what is sodium bentonite? Particularly known for is its unique reaction when it comes into contact with water, sodium bentonite is a natural clay mined from the earth. Sodium bentonite, when moist, swells excessively and is able to absorb approximately 12 times its dry weight. As an extremely absorbent substance, it is no surprise that it functions extremely well as a sealant. In addition to being used an a natural earthen sealant, sodium bentonite is also used for lining structures such as landfills, during the process of drilling for natural oil and gas, and for any kind of water proofing.
In addition to these earthen sealant related applications, sodium bentonite can be used in a wide variety of additional applications. For example, some individuals also attribute healing properties to the clay-like substance claiming that it is also able to absorb harmful toxins through the surface of the skin.
Still Want to Learn More to Answer your Questions About What Is Sodium Bentonite?
When it comes to answering your questions about what is sodium bentonite, there is a lot of information that you can discover. As is one of the leading suppliers of sodium bentonite based out of Texas, Southwestern Materials can answer all of your questions about sodium bentonite as a pond sealer and for other applications. Our high quality sodium bentonite is available in clay or granular form, depending on your intended application. Whether you are trying to avoid water seepage in a pond, or line a landfill site, sodium bentonite may be the solution for you.
Order Sodium Bentonite from Southwestern Materials
To learn more to answer your questions about what is sodium bentonite and its various uses or to place an order of any size, contact Southwestern Materials today.
