Multidisciplinary Evaluation of the Impact of Sand and Stone Mining on Water Quality and the Kampar River Ecosystem
Keywords:
Sand and stone mining, Water quality, River ecosystem, Multidisciplinary impacts, Kampar RiverAbstract
The Kampar River serves as a vital, important freshwater system that sustains ecological processes and provides essential resources for surrounding communities. However, intensive sand and stone mining activities have created increasing pressures on this ecosystem, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. Although mining generates substantial economic returns, its adverse impacts extend beyond ecological degradation, encompassing hydromorphological alterations, reduced biodiversity, and social conflicts. This study employs a multidisciplinary framework to evaluate the impacts of riverbed mining on water quality and ecosystem health, integrating ecological, socioeconomic, and institutional dimensions. Field research was conducted between May and August 2024 across four villages in Tambang District, Kampar Regency, combining water quality monitoring, field observations, and community interviews with secondary datasets such as satellite imagery and official reports. Analytical techniques included physicochemical testing, descriptive assessments, and SWOT analysis to formulate management strategies. The findings indicate a significant decline in water quality, with recorded temperatures of 30.6–34°C, acidic pH levels around 5.2–5.6, and turbidity slightly above national Class II standards. These changes, coupled with continuous dredging, accelerate riverbed deepening, increase the risk of bank collapse, and contribute to declining fish populations and catches. Socially, uncontrolled extraction generates community tensions and heightens socioeconomic disparities, threatening local resilience. SWOT analysis emphasizes strategies such as strengthening regulations, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, and empowering community-based stewardship. This research provides a comprehensive evidence base to inform sustainable watershed governance, supporting evidence-based and locally grounded decision-making, ensuring ecological integrity, social well-being, and economic development are effectively balanced in managing the Kampar River.
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