Concerns Deriving from the Sand Business and Potential Substitutes for a Sustainable Construction Sector

Among the different types of mining, the extraction of sand for buildings is one of the largest industries, not only in volume but also in value. Sand grabbing is also occurring at unprecedented rates in particular locations. Sand is a widely used construction material and is one of the most traded commodities in the world. Large amounts of sand are extracted from ancient glacial deposits, alluvial fans, ancient marine terraces, ancient and modern river and stream terraces, floodplains, and channels. The aim of this study is to check if the use of sand within the construction sector is a sustainable option or if potential substitutes are more adequate. The impacts of sand and gravel mining from various depositional environments, including river ecosystems, have been reported from many parts of the world. One of the principal causes of environmental impacts from in-stream mining is the removal of more sediment than the system can replenish. Much research has also been carried out on the environmental effects due to the mining of marine sand and gravel as well as the dumping of harbor dredging into the open sea for the construction of artificial islands. To increase sustainability in the building sector, many sand substitutes have been tested, such as recycled aggregates and industrial wastes, as alternatives with lower environmental impacts. River sand, which is the natural choice of the construction industry, has become scarce due to its overexploitation and increasing environmental concerns. There is a strong need for research on river sand substitutes for concrete production and cement sand mortar production.