Found on beaches, in rivers, across deserts and on the seabed, sand has long been seen as abundant and virtually inexhaustible. But it has become the world's second most exploited natural resource after water, and scientists warn rising demand will cause "enormous environmental damage".
From concrete towers and motorways to glass, microchips and cosmetics, modern economies depend on sand. Yet the vast scale of sand extraction remains largely ignored, despite mounting concerns among scientists over its environmental and social consequences.
