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DEGRADATION AND CONTROL PROCESSES |
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Degradation processes:
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At gravel quarries.
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Descripción:
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Sand and gravel extraction (gravels, river pebbles, sands, etc.) causes changes to the land as it affects the soil, which must be removed, and causes a reduction in its volume due to the extraction of arids. Degradation occurs in cases in which extraction activity does not take into account the functions that the land surface will be required to serve at a later date and when, for example, topsoil removal is not proposed. It also occurs when the water table is reached, or when on termination of the extraction activity, there is no rehabilitation plan to recover the land. Rehabilitation should ensure the sustainability of foreseen future functions and prevent any undesired environmental impacts. For example, the refilling of empty spaces created by quarrying cannot involve the use of materials that would: adversely affect the environment and lead to a risk of localized or diffuse contamination; be contrary to the rooting requirements of new vegetation; or potentially lead to a loss of natural or aesthetic value.
Importance: localized
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Soil functions affected:
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Producció de biomassa, funció hidrològica (protecció de la qualitat de l'aigua), reserva genètica de plantes autòctones, funció estètica i paisatgística, funció de protecció d'efectes fora de la zona.
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Click on the image
Extraction of arids (sands and gravels) affecting the water
table. This could hinder, rehabilitation depending on the
type of function foreseen for the area once mining and
quarrying activities have finished.
Bèlgica (J. Porta)
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Prevention and control:
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In Catalonia, any plans for mining and quarrying activity must be accompanied by a plan for the subsequent rehabilitation of the area in question. This plan must be approved by the administration. Environmental management of extraction activities is regulated by Law 12/1981, Decree 343/1983 and other legislation deriving from them and seeks to effectively integrate the affected areas once the extractive activity has oended.
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