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The Unsustainable Use of Sand: Reporting on a Global Problem

Author

Listed:
  • Walter Leal Filho

    (European School of Sustainability Science and Research, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, D-21033 Hamburg, Germany
    Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK)

  • Julian Hunt

    (Energy Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria)

  • Alexandros Lingos

    (European School of Sustainability Science and Research, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, D-21033 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Johannes Platje

    (WSB University in Wroclaw, ul. Fabryczna 29-31, 53-609 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Lara Werncke Vieira

    (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul—UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil)

  • Markus Will

    (Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, D-02763 Zittau, Germany)

  • Marius Dan Gavriletea

    (Business Faculty, Babeş-Bolyai University, Horea 7, 400038 Cluj–Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

Sand is considered one of the most consumed natural resource, being essential to many industries, including building construction, electronics, plastics, and water filtration. This paper assesses the environmental impact of sand extraction and the problems associated with its illegal exploitation. The analysis indicates that extracting sand at a greater rate than that at which it is naturally replenished has adverse consequences for fauna and flora. Further, illicit mining activities compound environmental damages and result in conflict, the loss of taxes/royalties, illegal work, and losses in the tourism industry. As sea-level rise associated with climate change threatens coastal areas, sand in coastal areas will play an increasingly greater role in determining the amount of damage from floods and erosion. The present analysis points to the need for swift action to regulate sand mining, monitoring, law enforcement, and international cooperation.

Suggested Citation

  • Walter Leal Filho & Julian Hunt & Alexandros Lingos & Johannes Platje & Lara Werncke Vieira & Markus Will & Marius Dan Gavriletea, 2021. "The Unsustainable Use of Sand: Reporting on a Global Problem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3356-:d:519718
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Maropene Tebello Dinah Rapholo & Isaac Tebogo Rampedi & Fhatuwani Sengani, 2023. "Tracing and Determining the Duration of Illegal Sand Mining in Specific River Channels in the Limpopo Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-26, September.
    2. Rajiv Sinha & Kanchan Mishra & Priyesh Salunke & Vidya Sounderajan, 2023. "Sustainable Silt Management in the Lower Kosi River, North Bihar, India: Demand Assessment, Investment Model and Socio-Economic Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-20, October.
    3. John D. Morley & Rupert J. Myers & Yves Plancherel & Pablo R. Brito-Parada, 2022. "A Database for the Stocks and Flows of Sand and Gravel," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Psiwa Milka & Benard Mwori Sorre & Leonard Simiyu Mulongo & Alice Kurgat, 2023. "Economic Implications of Sand Harvesting In West Pokot County, Kenya," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(3), pages 1321-1329, March.
    5. Zalipah Jamellodin & Lim Qian Yi & Qadir Bux Alias Imran Latif & Hassan Amer Algaifi & Rafidah Hamdan & Adel Al-Gheethi, 2022. "Evaluation of Fresh and Hardened Concrete Properties Incorporating Glass Waste as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-12, November.
    6. Mazen A. Al-Sinan & Abdulaziz A. Bubshait, 2022. "Using Plastic Sand as a Construction Material toward a Circular Economy: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, May.
    7. Víctor Gallardo Zavaleta & Luzma Fabiola Nava & Edith Kauffer & Octavio González Santana, 2023. "Local Knowledge of Sediment Exploitation in the Usumacinta River Basin: A Theoretical–Methodological Framework Proposal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, February.
    8. Yuji Hara & Chizuko Hirai & Yuki Sampei, 2022. "Mapping Uncounted Anthropogenic Fill Flows: Environmental Impact and Mitigation," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, November.
    9. Julian David Hunt & Andreas Nascimento & Oldrich Joel Romero Guzman & Gilton Carlos de Andrade Furtado & Carla Schwengber ten Caten & Fernanda Munari Caputo Tomé & Walter Leal Filho & Bojan Đurin & Ma, 2022. "Sedimentary Basin Water and Energy Storage: A Low Environmental Impact Option for the Bananal Basin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, June.
    10. John D. Morley & Rupert J. Myers & Yves Plancherel & Pablo R. Brito-Parada, 2022. "A Database for the Extraction, Trade, and Use of Sand and Gravel," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, April.
    11. Vicent Esteban Chapapría & José Serra Peris & José A. González-Escrivá, 2022. "Coastal Monitoring Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Management of the Spanish Mediterranean Coast: The Case of Almenara-Sagunto," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-18, April.
    12. Md Golam Rabbani & Professor Pradip Kumar Panday, 2022. "Sand Extraction and Its Impact on the Livelihood of Rural People of Bangladesh: Evidence from Brahmaputra River," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(5), pages 801-807, May.
    13. Julian David Hunt & Behnam Zakeri & Andreas Nascimento & Diego Augusto de Jesus Pacheco & Epari Ritesh Patro & Bojan Đurin & Márcio Giannini Pereira & Walter Leal Filho & Yoshihide Wada, 2023. "Isothermal Deep Ocean Compressed Air Energy Storage: An Affordable Solution for Seasonal Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-18, March.
    14. Georg Schiller & Julia Roscher, 2023. "Impact of urbanization on construction material consumption: A global analysis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 1021-1036, June.
    15. Garison Kiprotich & Isaiah Kimutai & Stephen Kimutai, 2023. "Performance Evaluation of Sand Screening Machine: Effect of Sieve Size and Moisture Content," International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science, International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science (IJLTEMAS), vol. 12(09), pages 126-132, September.

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