Impacts of Sand Mining on Environment – A Review

International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science

© 2017 by SSRG - IJGGS Journal

Volume 4 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2017

Authors : Podila Sankara Pitchaiah

10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V4I1P101

How to Cite?

Podila Sankara Pitchaiah, "Impacts of Sand Mining on Environment – A Review," SSRG International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science, vol. 4,  no. 1, pp. 1-5, 2017. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V4I1P101

Abstract:

Illegal and indiscriminate sand mining will became threat to the worldwide environments. It leads to changes in river channel form, physical habitats and food webs. It also increases the velocity of flow in river which destroy flow-regime eventually erodes the river banks. Removal of vegetation and destruction of the soil profile destroys habitat above and below the ground and faunal population decrease. Sand dunes are part of the beach system, when destroyed coastal lands are vulnerable to flooding. Sand dunes play an important role in barriers against like heavy storms, erosion through waves or floods. They serve as habitat for many small animals and plants that are part of the marine and coastal food web and whose loss implies a threat to other species as well. Sand aquifer helps in recharging the water table and sand mining causes sinking of water tables in the nearby areas, , drops leaving the drinking water wells on the embankments of these rivers dry. Turbidity increases at the mining site. Saline water intrusion takes along the coastal aquifers. Sand mined areas loose scenic beauty, cause radiation based on the component minerals, dust pollution, creates noise and vibration and spoils roads and other structures. This paper reviewed the sand mining impacts on river, dune, marine, hydrological, biological and sociological environments with some worldwide case studies.

Keywords:

Sand mining, river, dune, beach, hydrological, biological, sociological.

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