IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (IJGEM )

E-ISSN 2504-8821
P-ISSN 2695-1878
VOL. 11 NO. 1 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijgem.vol.11.no1.2025.pg90.101

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Impact of Sand and Gravel Dredging on the Environment

Etah Emmanuel Etah, Akiang Joseph And Fidelis Ishoja

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Abstract

Sand and gravel dredging, driven by the global demand for construction materials, has significant environmental impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The extraction process disrupts habitats, particularly benthic ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystem services. Dredging suspends fine sediments, reducing water quality and impairing photosynthesis in aquatic plants, which further destabilizes food chains. Coastal and riverside areas face increased erosion as sediment transport is altered, threatening flood defenses and exacerbating the effects of climate change. Socioeconomic consequences also arise, as communities reliant on fisheries and tourism suffer from environmental degradation. This paper highlights the ecological, hydrological, and socioeconomic impacts of sand and gravels dredging and calls for sustainable practices and stronger regulatory frameworks to mitigate these adverse effects.

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