Deep Pour with cork questions

Hi all -

Large newb project - Plan to pour a 6ft x 2ft counter up to 2" that is full of corks (natural and synthetic).  A few questions if I may:

1) In calculating volume, should I remove the corks (I assume they don't really absorb much)?

2) There is some spacing between corks, then will finish with about a 1/2" space above them, forming the countertop. Any tricks to pour over the corks well?

3) I am gluing down all the corks with hot glue (so they do not move/float).  Any issues there with the glue?

Thanks all!