The table below shows a detailed list of negative consequences of sand mining on the environment.

Main Impact Consequence
Air Increase level of air pollutants concentration

Human health risks

 
Flora and fauna

Habitat loss

 

Alteration on fish population

 

Increasing level of weed infestation

 

Physical disturbance of the habitat

 

Degradation of aquatic biota

 

Alter number of animal species

 

Vegetation is destroyed

 

Reduction of farmlands and grazing lands

 
Water

Increase water turbidity

 

·      Decrease plants photosynthetic activity

·      Changes in nutrient parameters

·      Disturbing feeding activity for different aquatic animal species

·      Reduce light penetration and oxygen levels that can affect aquatic animals activities and composition of phytoplankton

·      Affect spawning and hatching

·      Affect aquatic animals respiration (Cause respiratory distress)

·      Negative changes in fish population diversity and trends (major decline in population)

·      Increase infections and death risk for aquatic animals

·      Redistribution of fine particles in the water

 

Increase soil and coastal erosion

 

Seawater intrusion

Affect infrastructure projects

 

Water quality deterioration

 

·      Increase water salinity

 

·      Alteration of water sources

 

·      Increase water treatment cost

 

Water pollution

 

 Affects the biodiversity

Sinking and deformation of riverbeds and banks

 

·      Drying up wells around the river

·      Lateral channels erosion and instability

·      Negative effect on groundwater

·      Waterways siltation Influence the uncertainty of the slope and levee

 
Affects hydrological function Change in water flows, flood regulation and marine currents

Decrease soil quality

 

Reduced fertile land

Changes in soil geochemistry (increase concentration of lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.)

Land

 

Landscape disturbance

 

·      Dramatically change of the landscape

 

·      Deforestation

 

·      Loss of bathing beaches

 

·      Decrease sand reserve for natural beach storm response

 
Mine-Induced Seismicity Having more tremors or earthquake in the region

Structures stability

 

Damage of the public and private property

 

Cr: Gavriletea (2017)