|
|
Aggregates
The demand for sand and gravel aggregates in the Pacific ACP States is fast growing as a result of rapid development, urbanisation and population growth. Coastal sand mining of beaches, reef flats or lagoon areas occurs in the majority of these States, and is the most accessible source of aggregates for all of them. The primary problems associated with this practice are:
- extracted rates exceed the natural rate of replenishment,
- increased risk of coastal erosion and loss of infrastructure,
- reef and sea grass bed degradation,
- pollution,
- turbidity of water and poor coral regeneration,
- modification of hydrodynamic regimes,
- diminished aesthetic appeal of the coastal zone.
These negative impacts demonstrate that sustainable management of aggregate resources through the development of regulatory regimes is vital. There is also a need to explore alternative sources for aggregates both onshore, where appropriate, and coastal waters where the risk of inducing coastal erosion is negligible and the environmental problems are minimised.
Sustainable development of coastal zones, in particular through identifying alternative sources of aggregates.
Contributors to this page: arti
.
Page last modified on Monday 23 of January, 2006 [04:02:40 UTC] by arti .
|
|
