Approximately six billion tonnes of sand are annually extracted from the world’s oceans, causing irreversible harm to benthic life, according to Marine Sand Watch, a data platform developed by GRID-Geneva, a Centre for Analytics within the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The platform monitors dredging activities of sand, clay, silt, gravel, and rock worldwide, estimating that between four and eight billion tonnes of sand are removed each year. This extraction raises water turbidity, alters nutrient availability, and generates noise pollution, impacting marine organisms and coastal communities. Urgent calls have been made for better monitoring, international standards, and restrictions on marine sand extraction.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Benthic Life: Benthic organisms are aquatic species that inhabit the ocean floor, including various marine plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Turbidity: Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by the presence of suspended particles, which can disrupt the underwater ecosystem.
- Salinization of Aquifers: Salinization occurs when the intrusion of saltwater contaminates freshwater aquifers, potentially affecting drinking water sources and agricultural lands.
- International Standard on Sand Extraction: A set of guidelines and regulations that would govern the extraction of sand in the marine environment on a global scale, aiming to ensure sustainable practices and environmental protection.
