Effect of Conventional Sand Mining Along Heavy Mineral Beach Placers and Its Environmental Impact

Abstract

The present study discusses the consequence of sand mining on erosion of coast and its impact on seawater intrusion along the eastern coast of Odisha, India. Unsystematic sand mining has a very severe influence on the environment and micro-ecology. The natural causes such as wind pattern, oceanic currents, and climatic factors also have significant impacts on coastal erosion along with sand mining. The sediments are removed from the nearshore region due to coastal erosion which consequently favors of the intrusion of saline water into freshwater zone. This study deals with satellite imagery to monitor illegal sand mining and coastal erosion. Thermal imagery of the study area has been proposed in consequent four years which are the results of the sand mining and several natural causes. Sea water intrusion is the source for contamination of groundwater. The high concentration of chloride and sodium ion in the groundwater is unfit for human consumption and also for industrial uses. Satellite imagery is used to observe the movement of heavy placer deposits and so that the beach nourishment could be made to prevent the movement of sand.