Provided are systems and methods for sorting crushed material by gravitationally separating components of the crushed material according to component densities in a liquid column having a bottom layer of a heavy water-immiscible liquid, an intermediate layer of an aqueous salt solution and a top layer of a light water-immiscible liquid. The heavy water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than the aqueous salt solution, the aqueous salt solution has a higher density than the light water-immiscible liquid and the light water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than sea water to maintain the intermediate layer on top of the bottom layer, the top layer on top of the intermediate layer and the top layer in the liquid column.