Sand overextraction weakening riverbanks as concrete demand soars
Research finds demand has more than doubled since 2000 and 80% of current demand comes from Asia A booming demand for concrete has resulted in sand and gravel being extracted from riverbeds faster than nature can replenish it. A study published in Reviews of Geophysics shows that the demand for sand and gravel has more than doubled in the last two decades, with overextraction leading to weaker…
A study published in Reviews of Geophysics has revealed that the global demand for sand and gravel used in concrete production has more than doubled over the past two decades. This surge in demand, driven primarily by city-building and infrastructure projects, has led to overextraction from riverbeds faster than nature can replenish it.
The research, which analyzed data dating back to 1974, found that in 2024 alone, 28 billion tonnes of sand and gravel were converted into concrete worldwide. More than 80% of this current demand is sourced from Asia, with China and India being particularly hard hit.
The overexploitation of sand and gravel from riverbeds has resulted in weaker riverbanks, lower groundwater levels, coastal salt intrusion, and poorer water quality. The researchers discovered that much of this material was being extracted from rivers across Asia and Africa, with extraction rates often exceeding natural sediment replacement several times over.
While data on extraction is scarce, the study's findings highlight a critical issue: the unsustainable demand for concrete is putting immense pressure on river ecosystems worldwide.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
