Sand Mining Research Articles

Historical shoreline analysis in selected areas on the east coast of Albay, Philippines

Shoreline erosion in the Province of Albay, Philippines, remains unmonitored, creating significant vulnerability to natural and anthropogenic drivers. Effective monitoring of coastal integrity is crucial to provide valuable insights into shoreline alterations that can guide future adaptation measures and support climate resilience planning. This study aimed to assess shoreline alterations over the past 20 years by examining natural and anthropogenic drivers shaping these changes and their implications for coastal ecosystems. Erosive trends have resulted in the loss of up to 6 m of coastline in certain places in the cities of Santo Domingo, Bacacay, Malilipot, Legazpi, and Tabaco. Findings revealed that areas distant from river mouths exhibited severe erosion, while those near river mouths showed mixed erosion and deposition patterns. Natural processes, including storm surges and sediment transport, were compounded by human activities such as sand mining, urban expansion, and coastal road constructions, resulting in the degradation, fragmentation and loss of vital coastal ecosystems. These insights underscore the urgent need for systematic shoreline monitoring and the adoption of sustainable coastal management practices, as well as integrating environmental considerations into coastal development planning, enhancing community awareness, and leveraging monitoring data to inform climate resilience and adaptation strategies tailored to local contexts.

Physiological effects of suspended sediments on marine fish across habitat, development, and behavioral factors.

This study evaluated the physiological responses of four marine fish species (Lateolabrax japonicus, Sebastes schlegelii, Platichthys stellatus, and Paralichthys olivaceus) to suspended sediments (SS) generated by marine sand mining. Using oxygen consumption rate (OCR), osmolality, and mortality as endpoints, the effects of SS concentrations ranging from 0 to 10,000mgL-1 were assessed. L. japonicus exhibited the highest sensitive in OCR, with an EC50 of 15,812mgL-1 responding more rapidly to SS exposure. In contrast, S. schlegelii demonstrated the highest mortality, with an LC50 of 340,921mgL-1. SS exposure caused diel variations in OCR across species, highlighting the necessity of accounting for such differences. Based on the results of this study and review, species sensitivity to SS is influenced by habitat type, activity patterns, and developmental stage, emphasizing the importance of incorporating species-specific traits to accurately evaluate the ecological impacts of SS on marine ecosystems.

Spatiotemporal morphodynamics of an ephemeral Himalayan River impacted by sand mining: A process-response framework.

In-channel sediment mining significantly disrupts reach-scale sediment connectivity and channel geometry, causing immediate and intense geomorphological responses. River systems perturbed by anthropogenic stress, like sand and gravel mining, tend to respond within a shorter timescale, making the study of feedback mechanisms important. 'Sensitive' rivers display dramatic change via a positive feedback mechanism, exacerbating the change in the system. This paper investigates the geomorphic impacts of in-channel sand mining on the Gaula River, an ephemeral piedmont zone Himalayan River in northwest India. This river is characterized by high sediment flux from the tectonically active hinterland and flows primarily during the monsoon, making it suitable for sediment mining. Most geomorphological studies on sand mining in India have focused on peninsular rivers, leaving a knowledge gap in understanding the impacts on Himalayan systems. This study used satellite-based planform data (1976 to 2021) to develop morphometric indices coupled with the valley bottom confinement index, longitudinal profile and total stream power. Our results indicate that sand mining has altered flux boundary conditions, causing channel narrowing, incision, thalweg fixing, bed armouring, and a severe decline in geomorphic diversity. We have integrated the morphological response to sand mining to develop an evolutionary pathway of the Gaula River from barren conditions (1976) to underfit channel formation (2021). We finally propose a process-response framework that highlights how sand mining triggers geomorphic degradation through a positive feedback mechanism.

Avaliação de concretos produzidos com variadas areias de mineração: em busca de dosagens de alto desempenho e sustentáveis

The sand from the processing of iron ore has been widely used in civil construction in Brazil, especially in the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and São Paulo. It is used as fine aggregate in the production of mortars, cement products and concrete. With the possibility of producing new sand in several iron ore mines in the state of Minas Gerais, the present study aimed to develop and analyze concrete dosages with various ore sands and sands present in the industrial market in the Belo Horizonte region. The replacement of natural river sand with mining sand in concrete dosages was evaluated and the Abrams curves were analyzed for the various dosages developed. It was possible to observe a performance gain in the dosages carried out with ore sands, with a reduction of up to 7% in cement consumption in the mixes. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of mining sand in the production of concrete is efficient, with technical and productive gains, promoting sustainable construction, reducing CO2 and promoting the circular economy in the construction chain.

Role of riverbed sand mining on planform and cross-sectional morphology of Mayurakshi River, India.

Human interventions in the form of riverbed sand mining are escalating worldwide, especially in the humid tropics with excess population pressure exerting an elevated demand for sand as construction materials. Naturally, channel morphological alterations are observed for the tropical fluvial systems to a large extent. The present work examines the riverbed sand mining of the Mayurakshi River (India) during the last fifty years (1970-2020) using topographical maps, satellite images and field-based cross-sectional measurements. Sand mining history exhibits four phases- (1) initiation phase (1970-1980) (2) expanding phase (1980-2000), (3) steady state (2000-2010) and (4) accelerating phase (2010-2020). Though the first three phases depicted a mild impact of sand mining on channel morphology, the accelerating phase vehemently altered the channel morphology. Topographic sinuosity has increased from 72% to 81% at the expense of the hydraulic sinuosity resulting in the lower standard sinuosity index (1.06 to 1.04) caused by the sand mining-induced channel straightening during 1970-2020. Though braiding index (BI*), channel count index (BI), and channel length index (Pt) show an increasing trend with a variable rate (31-76%) till 2010, there has been a rapid fall (1-138%) in channel braiding due to sand mining and pit formation. The future trend for 2030 (based on 2010-2020 data) indicates a lowering of the channel sinuosity and braiding in the anticipated increase of mining; however, 1970-2020 data-derived ensemble prediction depicts the trend reversal in 2050. Channel depth, area, asymmetry, and hydraulic radius are higher for sand mining cross-sections (CS). The hierarchical clustering shows that few CS have homogenous clusters determined by sand mining; however, few CS are mixed implying no dominant control of sand mining on them. The study has demonstrated how sand mining acts as the catalyst for channel alterations in various spatial and temporal scales by developing a framework that demonstrates geomorphic system destabilization.

Multi-criteria analysis using AHP and GIS for identifying the most polluted sub-basin in a river basin environment

ABSTRACT This article introduces a methodology utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) integrated with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to classify sub-basins within a large river basin in terms of pollution levels. The research uses data from the Haraz River basin, located in northern Iran near the Caspian Sea. The river basin under investigation comprises seven sub-basins. The primary pollution sources in this region include domestic wastewater from urban areas, effluents from fish farms, discharge from sand and gravel mines, sewage from restaurants and tourism centers, as well as land use (agriculture, forests, and rangelands). In addition to these pollution-related factors, other criteria such as basin area, river length, road network length, and slope were also considered. Using scores assigned by experts and leveraging the Expert Choice software, all sub-basins, and factors contributing to river pollution were identified. According to the findings, urban domestic wastewater was the most significant contributor to pollution in the study Basin, accounting for 42.2% of the total pollution. The sub-basins were classified according to their final weighted scores, identifying those with the highest and lowest pollution levels. The studied approach offers substantial advantages in terms of time, cost, and resource efficiency.

Riparian Soil Heavy Metal Contamination and Pollution Assessment and Management Planning Integrating Multiple Indices, Statistical and Geospatial Approaches.

This research assesses heavy metal contamination within the riparian zone of the Danro River, a tributary of the Ganges River basin in India, particularly impacted by sand mining activities. The study conducted analyses on major and trace elements in soil samples, focusing on those identified as ecologically hazardous by the Water Framework Directive of India. Utilizing a combination of indices (Enrichment Factor, Pollution Load Index, and Index of geo-accumulation) and statistical techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the investigation aimed to evaluate contamination severity, ecological risks, and pollution sources. Results revealed arsenic concentrations ranging from 0.00-0.54 mg/kg to 117-136 mg/kg, and ecological risks for cadmium exceeding 30. PCA identified three dominant factors explaining over 95% of variance. This study also employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to assess land use suitability. Results unveiled that chromium and nickel predominantly stemmed from natural origins, while arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc exhibited a mixed origin. While most sites displayed low to moderate contamination, south-western portion of the basin demonstrated significantly elevated copper concentrations. Cadmium emerged as a particular concern, posing downstream ecological risks alongside chromium, nickel, and zinc, surpassing established thresholds. Further examination using PCA analysis pinpointed three primary pollution sources: traffic emissions, industrial activities, and natural processes. The research concludes by proposing a novel approach for remediation, including the Miyawaki technique alongside traditional methods like electrokinetic remediation and soil leaching. Policy suggestions advocate for collaborative efforts between economic entities and governments to promote sustainable practices that minimize heavy metal pollution.

How Sand Mining is Shaping the Trishuli River in the Himalayas of South Asia

How Sand Mining is Shaping the Trishuli River in the Himalayas of South Asia

Enhanced remediation of oil-contaminated mineral sand by the controlled release of a surfactant from calcium alginate capsules

ABSTRACT The remediation of oil-contaminated soil poses significant environmental challenges, often necessitating innovative approaches for effective and sustainable solutions. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterisation, and application of biodegradable capsules loaded with surfactant for enhanced oil remediation of a clean sand. By controlling the release properties of capsules, the research aims to overcome the limitations of conventional surfactant-based remediation methods, such as rapid washout and reduced efficacy over time. The study outlines a systematic approach, beginning with the synthesis of capsules containing surfactant cargo using the ionic gelation technique, and charactering the capsules' physical attributes. Subsequently, laboratory washing tests were designed to evaluate the efficiency of capsules in enhancing the remediation of oil-contaminated sand, comparing their performance with conventional surfactant application methods. The results show that the capsules enhanced the efficiency of oil removal during the washing process by the controlled release of surfactants. With the use of capsules, oil removal rates of the contaminated sand increased from 29.56% (blank group) to 59.90%, 68.67%, and 76.72% (at 5%, 10%, and 15%, capsule content (mass of capsules by 100 g mass of sand), respectively). Compared to the direct use of surfactants, the capsule approach exhibited higher performance, which increased oil removal efficiency by 95.9%, 97.0%, and approximately 100%, respectively. A release mechanism of higher oil removal ability is proposed based on the measurement of the washing water's surface tension. The findings highlight the potential of polymeric capsules for oil remediation, paving the way for the development of self-remediation approaches in contaminated sands.

Lightweight Multi-Scale Network for Segmentation of Riverbank Sand Mining Area in Satellite Images

Riverbank sand overexploitation is threatening the ecology and shipping safety of rivers. The rapid identification of riverbank sand mining areas from satellite images is extremely important for ecological protection and shipping management. Image segmentation methods based on AI technology are gradually becoming popular in academia and industry. However, traditional neural networks have complex structures and numerous parameters, making them unsuitable for meeting the needs of rapid extraction in large areas. To improve efficiency, we proposed a lightweight multi-scale network (LMS Net), which uses a lightweight multi-scale (LMS) block in both the encoder and decoder. The lightweight multi-scale block combines parallel computing and depthwise convolution to reduce the parameters of the network and enhance its multi-scale extraction ability. We created a benchmark dataset to validate the accuracy and efficiency improvements of our network. Comparative experiments and ablation studies proved that our LMS Net is more efficient than traditional methods like Unet and more accurate than typical lightweight methods like Ghostnet and other more recent methods. The performance of our proposed network meets the requirements of river management.

EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN WATER CHEMISTRY VARIATION AND FISH DIVERSITY IN RIVER JHELUM: A META-ANALYSIS

This study aimed to establish a connection between changes in the water chemistry of the river Jhelum and the diversity, richness, and abundance of species over time. Empirical evidence was reviewed from existing literature on fish species diversity and physicochemical parameters. A comparison was made between the upper and lower sections of the river, considering both spatial and temporal aspects. The dominant fish family in the river was Cyprinidae, consisting of eight species, followed by Nemachilidae, with only two species. Regarding diversity indices, the upper stretch exhibited values of 2.192 for the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), 0.104 for Simpson's dominance index (D), 0.896 for the heterogeneity index (1-D), 1.436 for Margalef's index (d), and 0.350 for Pielou's evenness index (J'). Conversely, the lower stretch showed values of 1.978, 0.145, 0.855, 1.144, and 0.323, respectively. These findings indicated a decline in fish species diversity, richness, and relative abundance in the lower section. These results align with existing literature, suggesting that water pollution is more severe in the lower stretch compared to the upper stretch. However, correlation analysis revealed that, except for dissolved oxygen and ortho phosphorous, there is a negative relationship between water quality parameters and fish diversity, which, while present, is not significant enough to impact the river's fish diversity substantially. This suggests that other anthropogenic activities, such as sand mining, overfishing, and exotic common carp in the river, are responsible for the decreased fish diversity downstream in the river Jhelum. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of other hydrological parameters, such as precipitation, evapotranspiration, surface runoff, water velocity, and depth, on the fish diversity of the river Jhelum. Such studies would provide additional empirical evidence for protecting the aquatic fish biodiversity in the river Jhelum.

A Review of River Sand Mining: Methods, Impacts, and Implications

A Review of River Sand Mining: Methods, Impacts, and Implications

LITHOLOGICAL DEDUCTIONS AND THE EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIALS FROM GEO-ELECTRICAL SOUNDINGS IN THE BENDE-AMEKI FORMATION OF EHIME-MBANO AREA, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Lithological deductions and evaluation of groundwater potentials from Geo-electrical soundings in the Bende-Ameki Formation of Ehime-Mbano Area, Southern Nigeria, was carried out by imploring the vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique. A total of nine VES points were obtained using the ABEM SAS 1000 Terrameter. The study reveals that the depth of the shallow wells in the area (upper aquifer) ranges from 12-22m and falls within the 3rd and 4th geo-electric layers with resistivity values ranging from 240m - 2500m; while the 2nd aquifer ranges from 34-45m and with range of resistivity values of 190m - 300m. The depth to the 3rd aquifer ranges from 70 120m, while that of the 4th aquifer is 130-300m. The data obtained after partial curve matching and computer iteration indicates a total of 8 - 10 geoelectric layers with inferred lithologies namely: silt, clay, fine-grained sand, medium-grained sand, coarse-grained sand and sandstone. Results show that most of the aquifers are hosted within the silts and fine-grained sands with the exception of a few locations with medium-grained and coarse-grained sands. By using the Dar-Zarrouk parameters, the overburden protective capacities of the aquifers in the study area were evaluated as poor, weak and moderate in some locations. It was concluded that in the area, sand mining (excavation) is a potential economic source except in the vicinity of VES 9.

Assessment of the impacts of mining activities on vegetation cover and restoration efforts using Geographic Information System (GIS) in the Gwadabawa sand mining site, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Globally, mining is recognized as an inherently economically important process, regrettably, it promotes landscape destruction through deforestation, erosion, pollution, and disruption of soil properties. Addressing these impacts is critical to ensuring environmental health and resilience. This study assesses the impacts of mining activities on vegetation cover and restoration efforts in the Gwadabawa mining sites, Sokoto State, Nigeria. A field survey was conducted to assess the vegetation, the extent of degradation due to mining operations, and the restoration efforts in the area. Landsat images (1995–2020) analyzed using QGIS version 3.18 were used to assess the changes in vegetation for 30 years. Results indicate a significant increase in mining areas (up to 58.23 ha in 2020), a drastic reduction in vegetation cover (from 56.25 ha to 2.15 ha), and an increase in bare soil (from 25.75 ha to 32.1 ha). The presence of natural regenerations and young tree species such as Combretum nigricans, Piliostigma reticulatum, Sclerocarya birrea, and Adansonia digitata was evident in the mined-out areas. However, restoration efforts are limited to only arable crop cultivation and fish farming using mining pools as ponds. Given the inadequacy of these measures and the urgent need to combat climate change and land degradation, biological landscape restoration methods are recommended to enhance ecological resilience and biodiversity conservation in the area.

Environmental Implications of Sand Harvesting. Insights from Archer’s Post, Samburu County.

Sand harvesting is identified as a common socio economic activity, which is practiced globally, regionally and locally. In accordance with this understanding, this study seeks to assess and find out the key factors that have led to increase in sand extraction, and environmental implications of sand extraction in Archer’s’ Post, Samburu County. The sampling technique employed in the study involved both probabilistic (stratified and simple random sampling) and non-probabilistic (purposive sampling). A target population of 135 individuals from local residents, sand harvesters (sand miners, sand loaders, and sand transporters), chiefs, officers from Ministry of Land and NEMA offices. Questionnaires and key informant interview schedules were used to obtain data and observation while the data was analyzed by using statistical software such as SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The results were highlighted by bar graphs, tables and pie charts The survey findings were summarized using bar graphs, tabulation and pie charts. From the study it was established that sand mining in Archer’s Post is largely as a result of desperate need for an income source, need for construction materials form infrastructure and other development needs and generally a sheer economic force. Such environmental impacts include soil erosion, change of vegetation cover, and reduced water quality as a result of sedimentation in the local rivers and streams. These effects have been seen to negatively affect agriculture, diversity of species and the eco-system in the region. The study also revealed gaps of the current regulations, which do not provide an effective mechanism for the management and minimization of the environmental impacts of sand extraction. Some of the issues that are worthy of mention and solved in the near future for a sustainable sand harvesting scheme include the weak civil society involvement and engagement in environmental management, limited compliance with the set laws, and substandard harvesting techniques, as well as insufficient funding of monitoring and restoration programs. The results suggest that there be improvement in practices that will reduce the impact of sand mining on the environment.

A path analysis study of relationships between long work hours, stress, burnout, job satisfaction and turnover intention among mine workers

PurposeIncreased work hours can result in stress and burnout among mine workers. Research within stone, sand and gravel mining operations is limited and has not explored whether health impairment, in this context, influences job satisfaction and turnover intention among these workers.Design/methodology/approachA path analysis was completed using Mplus to assess a theoretical model and hypotheses associated with model variables to include work hours, stress, burnout, job satisfaction and turnover intention. Cross-sectional survey data from 419 stone, sand and gravel mine workers were used in the path analysis.FindingsModel fit was good. Work hours were positively associated with stress, stress was positively associated with burnout, stress and burnout were negatively associated with job satisfaction, stress and burnout were positively associated with turnover intention and job satisfaction was negatively associated with turnover intention. Burnout partially mediated the relationship between stress and both job satisfaction and turnover intention. Job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between stress and turnover intention and burnout and turnover intention. An alternate model determined there was no direct relationship between work hours and burnout and that this relationship was fully mediated by stress.Originality/valueFindings illustrate the importance of managing work hours among mine workers to reduce health impairment and to bolster job satisfaction and reduce turnover intention.

Growth and yield of bok choy (Brassica rapa L.) plants in post-rock excavation soils provided with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and manure

Elevated sand and gravel mining to meet market needs causes negative impacts on the environment, soil, and biodiversity. The government issued a regulation that requires revegetation as reclamation of mineral and coal mining. The conversion needs to overcome the physical and chemical characteristics of post-rock excavation soil that can be utilized by economic value plants such as bok choy. This experiment aimed to determine the growth and yield of bok choy on post-rock excavation soil by providing phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and various manure types. The study was conducted in Margasari Village, Buah Batu District, Bandung at an altitude of 671 m above sea level and at the Soil Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung from April to June 2023. The experimental design used was a factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two factors and repeated three times. The first factor was PSB isolate dose (without PSB; 5 mL polybag-1; 10 mL polybag-1; 15 mL polybag-1, and 20 mL polybag-1). The second factor was manure variety (cow, goat, and laying hen manure, each of 15 t ha-1). The parameters observed comprised the soil and plant parameters. The results showed that there was no interaction between the dose of PSB isolate and various types of manure on the growth and yield of bok choy plants. The PSB isolate and manure had not been able yet to increase the growth and yield of Bok Choy (Brassica rapa L.) plants on post-rock excavation soil, mainly due to the soil nature.

Impact of Sand Mining on Bathymetry of the Meghna River

This study aims to evaluate the morphological changes of the lower Meghna River in Bhola district due to reckless sand mining from riverbeds. It has been done based on primary data collected from the field and secondary data, such as river bathymetry of 2006, 2012, and 2022 from BIWTA and Landsat Imageries of 2006, 2016, and 2023 from USGS Earth Explorer. The study demonstrates that extensive sand mining activities in the lower Meghna River significantly affect river bathymetry and accelerate riverbank erosion. Lower Meghna River experiences a higher erosion rate due to prolonged and intensive sand mining. The erosion rate increased significantly between 2020 and 2021, with the riverbed eroding at an accelerating rate, highlighting a critical situation in the region. However, FGD and case studies from the field show that the impact of sand mining is not only confined to river morphology change but many more ecological, socio-political, economic, environmental, and governance issues are also linked with sand mining activities. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 13(1), 2024, P 21-28

Remote Sensing Data Reveal a Significant Reduction in the Area of the Nesting Habitat of Rafetus euphraticus in the Tigris River, Southeastern Turkey.

The Euphrates Softshell Turtle (Rafetus euphraticus) is an endangered freshwater turtle native to the Tigris-Euphrates river system. Habitat destruction caused by dams and sand mining poses a major threat to the species. This study quantitatively assesses the occurrence of sandy areas in the upper Tigris in Turkey as a key component of their nesting habitat, utilizing remote sensing data. An ensemble approach was employed, applying and combining Generalized Additive Models (GAM), Generalized Boosting Models (GBM), Generalized Linear Models (GLM), and Random Forests (RF) for classification. The models indicate that, compared to 2018, the occurrence of sandbanks-assumed to be crucial nesting habitat for this species-was reduced by 41% in 2022 following the construction of a large dam. Additionally, sand mining and flooding of adjacent lands have fragmented and degraded the remaining sandbanks. The survival of the Turkish population of the Euphrates Softshell Turtle requires immediate and effective action.

PERTURBATION IN MEANDER BEHAVIOUR OF A SUBTROPICAL RIVER IN INDIA UNDER VARIABLE NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENIC CONTROLS

Meander morphology is perturbed worldwide by human interventions to a certain extent in the Anthropocene. To this end, the present study aims to investigate the meander behaviour, including its deformations, of the Kopai River, a subtropical river in India in the last 50 years (1970-2020). A total of 394 loops (134 loops each in 1970 and 1995 and 126 loops in 2020) were selected for the four river reaches – the upper, middle-upper, middle-lower, and lower reaches. The meandering behaviour was assessed using Mueller’s sinuosity index (SI), meander form index, meander shape index, and radius/wavelength ratio. The study found a higher meandering tendency in the lower and upper reaches controlled by fluvial hydraulics, and topographic factors. However, the middle reaches were comparatively stable. The meander loops along the middle reaches regular meander is the dominant meander type, however, more than 50% of meander loops for the lower reaches were intense meander types. Positive extensions were the predominant type of meander deformation in all the reaches. However, few negative extensions are found in the middle-upper and lower reaches, while irregular changes and cut-offs were only found in the lower reach. Thus, the upper and lower reaches exhibited more natural controls dotted with regular meander progression. The middle reaches characterized by higher Bouguer anomaly and steep basement gradient led to channel confinement. Besides, profuse sand mining and the brick kiln industries are perturbing the meander beahviour through human channel straightening, dwarfing the meander evolution in the middle reaches.