What is the ratio of the building material that is named for the Latin word "crushed" and sand used to stabilize buildings?
Mortar (masonry) Mortar is a workable paste used to bind building blocks such as stones, bricks, and concrete masonry units together, fill and seal the irregular gaps between them, and sometimes add decorative colors or patterns in masonry walls. In its broadest sense mortar includes pitch, asphalt, and soft mud or clay, such as used between mud bricks. "Mortar" comes from Latin "mortarium" meaning crushed.
Surficial aquifer Surficial aquifers are shallow aquifers typically less than 50 ft thick, but larger surficial aquifers of about 60 ft have been mapped. They mostly consist of unconsolidated sand enclosed by layers of limestone, sandstone or clay and the water is commonly extracted for urban use. The aquifers are replenished by streams and from precipitation and can vary in volume considerably as the water table fluctuates. Being shallow,they are liable to contamination by fuel spills, industrial discharge, landfills, and saltwater. Parts of southeastern United States are dependent on surficial aquifers for their water supplies.