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Articles • Matéria (Rio J.) 30 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2024-0868 linkcopy

Open-access Evaluating the chemical and environmental impacts of manufactured sand as a green alternative to river sand

SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

Due to the huge demand and scarcity for river sand, there is a desperate need for a Quantitative, Qualitative and Environmentally friendly alternative for river sand. As aggregate is the second largest resource used next to water, the alternative for river sand suggested should be not only of good quality but also should be available in enough quantity to be substituted for river sand. Such alternate choices should not just satisfy the structural requirements but also not affect the environment. In this regard, the environmental valuation of mountains is carried out to assess the benefits and limitations of using M sand as a substitute for river sand. In this study, the chemical properties of M sand samples from various locations are determined along with the lifecycle assessment of M sand. Finally, the Environmental Valuation of mountains is done to determine if the negatives outweigh the benefits. From the results, the various methods to resort to in order to achieve a sustainable level of replacement of M sand with river sand are discussed.

Keywords:
M sand; Lifecycle assessment; Construction materials; Environmental valuation

1. INTRODUCTION

Concrete is an integral part of the construction industry, and the process that goes into its production and usage is of utmost importance, considering the environmental impact it is likely to cause. Development in any sector must be planned in the construction industry by considering its future implications [1]. A few decades back, the global scenario was such that it was necessary to bring in any development project to help in economic growth, elevate the living standards of people, and make things easier. This led to a massive increase in all the sectors like technology, agriculture, construction, to name a few. However, the better lifestyle, higher employment opportunities, and easier access to resources never reached saturation and made people crave more, eventually leading to the depletion of resources [2]. Then came the point where due consideration was given to any development project concerning the resources that are required, the rate of usage of the resources, and the effect of the final product on the environment, considering the alarming rates of global warming, ozone layer depletion that send chills down the spine. This led to Sustainable development. Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [3].

Due to the huge demand and scarcity for river sand, there is a desperate need for a Quantitative, Qualitative, and Environmentally friendly alternative for river sand. As aggregate is the second largest resource used next to water, the alternative for river sand suggested should be not only of good quality but also should be available in enough quantity to be used as an alternative for river sand [4]. River sand demand has risen globally due to diverse construction activities. Unfortunately, this surge has resulted in the depletion of river sand, contributing to ecological harm and environmental degradation. Consequently, there is a growing exploration of alternative materials to replace river sand in construction. Several alternatives to river sand can be used in construction. These materials not only reduce the ecological damage caused by river sand mining but also provide cost-effective solutions for construction projects [5]. However, the choice of the substitute material relies on the particular needs of the project and the accessibility of the material in the local vicinity. M Sand, or manufactured sand, is a type of sand that is produced by crushing rocks, quarry stones, or larger aggregates into smaller pieces. The sustainability of M Sand depends on several factors, including its properties, production process, transportation, and usage, and the Environmental Valuation of the source from which it is produced. In this paper, the sustainability of M sand is analysed by studying its Chemical and Physical properties, Life Cycle Assessment of M sand, and Environmental valuation of the Mountains from which the M sand is produced [6], to examine the above, various literature have been reviewed and the following is the list of literature reviewed for the above study.

References [7, 8, 9, 10] provide information on the chemical properties of M sand, such as its composition, pH, and moisture content. The studies suggest that M sand generally has a lower content of impurities, such as clay, silt, and organic matter, compared to river sand. The chemical composition of M sand can impact the strength and durability of concrete. Therefore, it is important to ensure that M sand used in construction meets established standards for quality and performance. References [11, 12, 13, 14, 15] provide information about the physical properties of M sand, such as particle size distribution, density, and water absorption. The studies suggest that M sand generally has a more uniform particle size distribution and higher density than river sand. The physical properties of M sand can impact the strength, workability, and durability of concrete. Therefore, it is important to ensure that M sand used in construction meets established standards for quality and performance.

References [16, 17, 18, 19, 20] discuss various aspects of the sustainability of M sand, including its use as a substitute for natural river sand in construction, the environmental impacts of sand mining, and the use of M sand in sustainable construction practices. These sources [21, 22, 23, 24, 25] explore the life cycle assessment of M sand, which encompasses the evaluation of its environmental impacts throughout production, transportation, usage, and disposal. Life cycle assessment takes into account factors like consumption of energy, emission of greenhouse gases, and generation of waste, providing a comprehensive analysis of the environmental performance of various types of sand. These studies suggest that M sand can have higher environmental impacts compared to river sand in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and waste generation. Hence, additional research is essential to gain a complete understanding of the environmental effects of M sand and to guarantee its sustainable utilization in construction.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Based on the Literature review to assess the sustainability of Manufactured Sand, it is decided to collect the M sand samples from various parts of Tamil Nadu and nearby states. For sustainability, the material should be sustainable qualitatively, quantitatively, and environmentally. Hence, to assess the above, it was decided to carry out the Chemical properties and some physical properties of M sand in the Central Quality Control laboratory under the Public Works Department, Chennai, and the Lifecycle assessment of M sand using the Sima Pro software and compare the same with that of river sand which is used as a fine aggregate for a long time. In addition to the above, it was decided to carry out the environmental valuation of mountains from which the M sand is produced to have an idea of ecological cost-benefit analysis, which is normally not taken into account in many projects.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Chemical characteristics

The chemical characteristics of M sand are studied to understand the properties and reactivity when it is used as a replacement for river sand. It also helps to understand the possible ways to resort to and techniques to be incorporated to reduce the adverse impacts, if any, that are likely to arise due to the usage of M sand [26]. In this study, the chemical properties like pH, Chlorides, Sulphates, Silica, and Alumina Contents of collected manufactured sand (M sand) samples from various locations in Erode, IIT, Kundrathur, Amaravathi Dam, Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, Kollam, Vellore, Chengalpet, Thekkady, Theni, Palladam were determined. The Chemical properties like pH, Chlorides, Sulphates, Silica, and Alumina Contents, etc., of M sand samples collected from different locations, were tested in the Chemistry Lab, and the results, along with their respective comparison with river sand and IS sand, are shown in Table 1 and consolidated results are shown in Table 2.

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Table 1
Comparison of chemical composition of M sand from different locations with river sand and IS sand.
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Table 2
Consolidation of the chemical analysis results of river sand and M sand.
3.1.1. Oxide composition

Characterization of the chemical properties begins with oxide analysis, which is of particular importance when using the material in a reactive form. M sand samples collected from various locations show the presence of Iron Oxide, Calcium Oxide, and Alumina, the percentages of which are much higher compared to that of River Sand and IS Sand. On the other hand, the quantity of Silica in M sand is less compared to that of River Sand and IS Sand. Figures 1 and 2 compare oxides in River Sand, M Sand, and IS Sand.

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Figure 1
Oxide composition of collected samples – Iron Oxide and Calcium Oxide.
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Figure 2
Oxide composition of collected samples – Silica and Alumina.
3.1.2. pH

The pH of M sand greatly influences the pH of concrete and its properties [35]. The compressive strength of concrete is found to be lower in an alkaline environment. pH of M sand is higher than that of M sand, which will further increase the pH of concrete. Figure 3 shows the pH variation of the samples collected. It can be inferred that the average pH of the samples collected is more than that of M sand and IS sand.

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Figure 3
pH of collected samples.
3.1.3. Element composition

From above Table 3, it can be found that M sand has reactive parameters that may initiate chemical reactions in the future. The reason is that M sand is not subjected to weathering, whereas river sand is, during its formation [36]. Hence M sand is made to pass through the same process by artificial weathering. This is achieved with the facilities available in CQC laboratories as an attempt to study the chemical changes, if any, in M Sand [37]. To carry out the artificial weathering, two samples of M Sand collected from the Erode location with the following gradation are taken for testing, weight samples are washed and dried for one week and brought into the chemistry laboratory to simulate the freezing and thawing effect by heating the samples in the furnace under 1000C in the evening. Then, the hot sample is kept in a bucket filled with ice during the night shown in Figure 4 (a,b).

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Table 3
Composition of elements of river sand, M sand, and IS sand.
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Figure 4
Simulation of (a) thawing effect, (b) freezing effect, (c) river sand, and (d) artificially weathered M sand.

The below process is repeated for 15 days and the changes in color and texture of the sample are observed. To simulate the Abrasion process, the M Sand sample is filled with water and steel balls in the pan of the sieve shaker, and the sieve shaker is operated at 30-minute intervals for around seven days. The above Figure 4(c,d) shows the comparison of the River Sand with the artificially weathered M Sand. Two artificially weathered M sand samples viz one after carrying out the freezing and thawing (AWMS1) and one after the complete artificial weathering process, i.e. Freezing, Thawing, Abrasion, etc (AWMS2) are sent to the Chemistry laboratory for carrying out the chemical analysis to check the changes in the chemical properties. The results obtained are shown in Table 4. The Chemical Analysis results of the artificially weathered M Sand show that there is only a small improvement in the Silica content. In contrast, considerable reduction is observed in the soluble salts, Sulphate, and Chloride contents [38, 39, 40].

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Table 4
Comparison of chemical composition of natural sand, M sand, and artificially weathered M sand.
3.1.4. Electrical conductivity (micromhos/cm) and soluble salts

Electrical conductivity is the measure of the amount of salts present in sand. The presence of soluble salts in sand, and eventually in concrete, may cause efflorescence. Efflorescence in concrete refers to the white powdery deposit of salts that appears on the concrete surface during the evaporation of water from the concrete [41]. Table 2 shows that both Electrical Conductivity and Soluble Salts are higher compared to River Sand and IS Sand. This might lead to the deterioration of concrete over time. It is to be noted that there is a considerable reduction in the electrical conductivity and percentage of Soluble Salts upon artificial weathering, as seen in Table 5.

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Table 5
List of species found in the Western Ghats and the ailments cured.
3.1.5. Organic impurities

Organic impurities present in sand can stem from decayed vegetation, humus, coal particles, or organic and industrial wastes, depending on the sand’s source. It is commonly believed that these organic impurities can hinder the setting of cement, consequently negatively impacting the strength of concrete or mortar [42]. From Table 1, it can be inferred that River Sand and I sand contain no impurities, whereas traces of impurities can be found in M sand. The process of artificial weathering has reduced the organic impurities present in M Sand, thereby making it on par with river sand and IS Sand in this aspect.

3.2. Lifecycle analysis of M Sand

The environmental impact of concrete, encompassing its production and various applications, is intricate. Cement, a major component of concrete, has its own environmental and social impacts and contributes largely to those of concrete [43]. The cement industry is one of the prominent sources of carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Around 74% to 81% of total CO2 emissions are contributed by Portland cement. Following it, the next major source of CO2 emissions in concrete is found to be coarse aggregates, accounting for 13% to 20% of total CO2 emissions. Producing a tonne of fine aggregates generates about 30% to 40% of the emissions generated by the production of a tonne of coarse aggregates shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 5
Weighing table of CO2 of river sand and M sand.

Though the contribution of conventional fine aggregates towards CO2 emissions is considerably less than that of coarse aggregates and cement, this study focuses on the use of M sand as a replacement for conventional fine aggregate. This, in turn, ultimately increases the overall CO2 emission of concrete [44]. The Life Cycle Assessment of M sand and River sand production and transportation are analyzed using the Sima Pro software, and the results are discussed below. From Figure 6, it can be inferred that the impacts caused due to M sand take a toll on the environment and human health. From the above results, it can be concluded that M sand cannot be used as a complete replacement for river sand, though a partial replacement could help the over-exploitation of river sand.

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Figure 6
Impacts due to M sand and river sand.

3.3. Environmental valuation of mountains

In the Environmental Valuation of Mountains, the benefits provided by mountains are quantified. In the planning stage of any project, the Cost-Benefit analysis with project and without situations must be analyzed. In the Production of M sand, the mountains are getting affected. On the one hand, M sand is seen as an alternative to river sand owing to its depletion and prevailing scarcity. This becomes ironic when resorting to M sand to eliminate an environmental concern causes another potential ecological concern when it affects the mountains [45]. Mountains play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, maintaining water resources, ensuring clean air, facilitating research, fostering cultural diversity, providing opportunities for leisure, contributing to scenic landscapes, and holding significant spiritual value [46]. Additionally, they serve as economic assets for communities through activities such as agriculture, tourism, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Furthermore, mountains play a vital role in minimizing natural hazards and serving as early warning systems. Of the various benefits reaped, carbon sequestration and oxygen supply, conservation of biodiversity, Forest ecotourism, Air purification and temperature regulation, Water conservation, Soil protection, and Agricultural Protection are some of the inevitable ones.

3.3.1. Mountains – The natural oxygen cylinder

An oxygen concentrator is a device designed to extract oxygen from a gas source by selectively eliminating nitrogen, thereby producing a stream of gas enriched with oxygen [47]. This might look similar to how a tree functions. Trees take in Carbon Dioxide and water and produce oxygen. This is why trees are called the lungs of the world. Forests are also a major carbon sink. A 5 lpm oxygen concentrator costs up to Rs. 55000, and the cost of a 465-litre oxygen cylinder is around Rs. 13000. A single tree produces around 260 pounds of oxygen annually, on average. A family of four can be supplied with sufficient oxygen from two fully grown trees. From the above data, it can be understood that the most inevitable resource required for human existence is provided free of cost by the trees. The Environmental Impact caused by their depletion should also be accounted for while assessing the benefits of using M sand over river sand.

3.3.2. Western ghats – A biodiversity hotspot

Dating back before the formation of the Himalayan mountains, the Western Ghats Mountain range showcases significant geomorphic features and distinctive ecological and biophysical processes. The elevated montane forest ecosystems in this region play a role in shaping the weather patterns of the Indian monsoon [48]. Encompassing non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests, the Western Ghats is home to at least 325 globally threatened species, including flora, fauna, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Stretching parallel to the west coast of India, roughly 30–50 km inland, the Ghats cross the States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The Western Ghats’ forests encompass some of the finest examples of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests globally, housing a minimum of 325 species listed as globally threatened on the IUCN Red Data List. The globally threatened flora and fauna harbored by the Western Ghats, out of which 129 are categorized as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered, and 51 as Critically Endangered [49]. Notably, the forests host the country’s largest population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris), lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), sloth bears (Ursus ursinus), Nilgiri tahrs (Hemitragushylocrius), and various other species.

The medicinal wealth of the Western Ghats is abundant, with the forests and hills in this area serving as a repository for approximately 700 medicinal plants. Many of these plants are used commercially for their active enzymes and economic value, while others are used in traditional and folk medicine. The Western Ghats have a wide variety of plant species that are used medicinally. These include algae, herbs, shrubs, climbers, lichens, and trees that are annual or perennial. For curing many ailments, around 50 of the species found in the Western Ghats serve as helpful through various folk and herbal health practices.

Exploitation of mountains for M sand can affect the natural habitat of a humongous number of species, thereby pushing them to the endangered category and eventually causing them to become extinct. Pushing rare species to the verge of extinction on account of the production of M sand cannot be justified by the benefits of M sand because of environmental concerns. As mentioned above, the medicinal wealth of the Western Ghats will outweigh the benefits of substituting river sand with M sand. The current lifestyle of people has not only deteriorated their health but has eventually led to more medical complications, and the healthcare expenses at present are skyrocketing. Depletion of the available resources will ultimately shoot up the rates in the future.

3.3.3. Forests: A natural carbon reservoir

Carbon sinks, whether natural or artificial, function as storage units that retain carbon for an extended period, effectively decreasing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Two crucial carbon sinks include vegetation and the ocean [50]. The increased concentration of CO2, along with other greenhouse gases, has caused a rise in the earth’s temperature, thereby leading to global warming, and is a major cause of climate change. With the depletion of vegetation, the rate at which CO2 is absorbed gets reduced, and its impact is accelerated. Rising sea levels, flooding, droughts, wildfires, and severe storms are some of its impacts and necessitate substantial repairs to vital infrastructure such as power lines, dams, levees, residences, seawalls, highways, bridges, railway tracks, and airport runways. As the proverb says, A stitch in time saves nine; it is better to address the problem at its root cause and mitigate it than to bear the brunt of it. Large-scale M sand production without considering sustainability might pose a threat in terms of global warming.

3.3.4. Environmental valuation of the forest goods and services
Environmental Valuation is an integral part of sustainable development as it helps in getting societal attention. People usually tend to overlook the importance of something until it comes with a price tag. This process creates awareness among society in establishing the damage caused in terms of monetary value so that it is easily perceived and creates an increased sense of accountability and responsibility. Valuation can be done through various methods. Table 6 below gives the environmental valuation of some of the services provided by the forests and the mountains.
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Table 6
Environmental valuation of services provided by forests.

  • The value of a product/ service given by forest is evaluated directly based on the current market value.

  • The value of a product/ service is calculated based on the cost incurred by producing it artificially.

  • The value of a product/ service can be computed indirectly by damage caused due to the depletion of forest resources.

3.3.5. Environmental damage due to M sand production

The production of M sand involves quarrying hard rock and crushing them into desirable size and fineness. The process in itself has environmental concerns associated with it. Quarrying affects the land, air, and water environment in numerous ways. At present, there are 358 approved crushed stone sand manufacturing units in Tamilnadu [51]. Due to quarrying, hills, and hill locks are levelled down either partially or wholly, which in turn affects the geomorphology and landscape aesthetically. It results in changes to the natural land use pattern through activities like road construction for material transport and land clearing for quarrying. The high-intensity vibrations linked to quarrying, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, can trigger landslides and landslips. Quarries containing crusher units for the production of diverse aggregate products impact air quality through the emission of dust. The processes of blasting, crushing, drilling, and vehicular movements contribute to elevated noise levels. Unregulated mining and quarrying may bring about significant alterations in the hydrological system of the region. The disturbance to geomorphology can disrupt streams originating from higher elevations, resulting in modifications or fragmentation of the natural drainage.

4. CONCLUSION

The increasing demand for River Sand and its associated environmental concerns calls for an alternative source, and this study focuses on the M sand being a potential alternative for conventional fine aggregate used, i.e., River Sand. This study analyzes the Physical, Chemical, and Engineering Characteristics of M sand. It also helps to identify an appropriate quarry to manufacture M Sand, which can be depended on to cater to our needs, same as River Sand and provides data on M Sand having reactive chemical content. This data may help us to use the same M Sand by applying any remedial measures that may be arrived at by taking into consideration their chemical ingredients. Carrying out chemical analysis for every quarry that manufactures M Sand to ascertain their behavior becomes compulsory. Draughting general behavior with some chemical properties data for all M Sand is incorrect. Physical properties of M Sand may be excellent for the initial period, i.e. for the first 2 or 3 years after construction. Still, chemically reactive M Sand starts to react simultaneously and their result may be known only after some years. Hence, the usage of M Sand for structural members such as Beams, Columns, foundation slabs, and other irrigation structures is not advisable at this stage. However, if necessary, the M Sand can be used for different construction purposes such as plastering works, Fillings, Mortar for framed structure walls, etc., if the presence of adverse chemicals is not observed. The Environmental Impact Assessment and the Cost cost-benefit analysis of any project or development is mandatory to assess if such a potential alternative does what is expected of it. From the above study, it can be seen that exploiting the mountains in the name of protecting river sand does no good but indeed affects the environment on a much larger scale. Quantifying the benefits provided by mountains in terms of the oxygen supplied, the medicinal benefits of the plants and the biodiversity are nowhere on par with the benefits provided by M sand over river sand. Sand mining affects the environment only when its extraction rates are much higher than the natural sand replenishment rate. This can be controlled through effective policy, planning, regulation, management, and functioning governance. Proper and Continuous monitoring is required to prevent illegal mining of sand. Mining of river sand in moderation, along with the judicious use of alternate sources of building material, would lead to a sustainable development that would adhere to environmental, economic, and social aspects. Minor modifications to the existing sand mining guidelines may be needed to achieve a more sustainable manner of river sand replacement with M sand.

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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Correspondence

Corresponding Author: Arun Balasundaram. e-mail: arun_bv@yahoo.com, jana@nitttrc.edu.in

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    03 Feb 2025
  • Date of issue
    2025

History

  • Received
    02 Dec 2024
  • Accepted
    27 Dec 2024
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