– Causes, Effects and What To Do About It?

Soil Pollution – es, Effects and What To Do About It?

 Soil contamination or soil pollution

as part of land degradation is caused by the presence of

xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in
the natural soil environment.

It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural

chemicals, or improper disposal of waste.
 What is Soil Pollution?

Any undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological

properties of the soil, which is harmful to environment, living
organisms and plants, is called ‘soil pollution’
.
It adversely affects human nutrition and crop production and
productivity, and the quality and utility of soil. Cadmium, chromium,
copper, pesticide, chemical fertilizer, weed, toxic gases etc. are major
soil pollutants.
 What Are The Causes of Soil Pollution and
What To Do About It?

Soil pollution, also known as soil contamination, is caused by man-made,

harmful chemicals penetrating the earth and causing deterioration.

Causes of Soil Pollution

Agriculture
The use of chemicals as part of agriculture is at record levels. Whether it’s
to increase the production of crops or restrict the growth of harmful fungi,
chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides are an integral part of our
agricultural process. These chemicals, as well-intended as they are, are not
naturally produced and cannot be broken down in nature. As a result, they
end up seeping into the ground, stripping away the soil’s fertility and
harming the ecosystems. In other cases, plants absorb these chemicals and
eventually die off.
 Industry
The biggest culprit in soil pollution is
industrial activity. Even as laws are passed
and precautions are taken, mining and
manufacturing continues to be a major
cause of soil pollution. Industrial waste,
whether as part of the job, improper
disposal, or due to accidents, wreaks
havoc on the soil.
Human Waste
We also damage the soil as part of our
everyday lives. It can be through improper
disposal of toxic waste that ends up in landfills
or bodies of water, or human waste that goes
through our sewer system and ends up in our soil.
Either way, humans play a major role in causing
soil pollution.
 Deforestation
Deforestation has an indirect effect on
soil pollution. As trees are cut down, the
exposed soil is easily carried away
during soil erosion. With the soil taken
away, the land is left unable to support
vegetation.

Acid Rain
Acid rain occurs when pollutants in the
air such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide mix with rain. It has been proven
to negatively impact soil by dissolving
important nutrients and even changing
the soil’s structure.
 Effects of Soil Pollution
Pollutants mix in soil and make it toxic and the chemical changes in the natural form of the soil begin to take
place. By polluting the soil, in a way, we are destroying the foundation of the food chain.

Polluted soil is also contaminating drinking water in the rivers and other sources of water through rain water. Due
to chemical fertilizers and bio-chemical chemicals, an imbalance in the entire ecosystem is created.
Some of the main soil pollution effects are as discussed below:

1. Endangering Human Health

*More than 70% of the soil pollutants are carcinogenic in nature

*Long-term exposure to benzene and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , is linked to

the development of leukemia and liver cancer respectively.

*Soil pollutants can also cause skin diseases, muscular blockage, and central nervous
system disorders.

* Humans can be affected indirectly due to bioaccumulation or food poisoning.

*high concentrations of lead or mercury in the soil can endanger the functionality of
kidneys and liver. It can also hamper brain development in children and cause
adverse neurological disorders.
2. Economic Losses
*Crops and plants grown on polluted soils can accumulate poison to an extent deemed
unfit for human consumption.

* Consequently, it leads to enormous economic losses.

*Heavily polluted soils with metals and chemicals such as lead, asbestos, and sulfur are
considered unfavorable for crop production and cannot be used

3. Air and Water Contamination

*Polluted soil by natural means contributes to air contamination by discharging volatile
compounds into the atmosphere. So, the more the toxic contaminants in the soil, the
higher the level of toxic particles and foul gasses emitted into the atmosphere.

*Soil pollution can also lead to water pollution if the toxic chemicals and materials like
dangerous heavy metals leach into groundwater or contaminate storm water runoff,
which reaches lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans
4.Effect on Plant Life
*When soils are repeatedly contaminated and accumulate large amounts of poisonous
materials and chemicals, the soil reaches a point where it cannot support plant life.

* Soil pollutants interfere with soil chemistry, biology, and structure.

* When these changes occur, beneficial soil bacteria, soil microorganisms, soil nutrients,
and soil chemical processes begin to deteriorate to an extent where they diminish soil
fertility.
*The ecological balance is lost completely.
*Soil pollution can as well change plant metabolism and lower crop productivity.
5. Acidification
Soil pollution allows emission of relatively large quantities of nitrogen via de
nitrification, volatilization of ammonia, and the decomposition of organic materials in
the soil. As a result, this releases sulfur compounds and sulfur dioxides into the
atmosphere, causing acid rain.
 6. Diminished Soil Fertility
*The most evident and crucial element of the soil is its fertility.

*Once the soil is contaminated with chemicals and heavy metals or degraded due to
human activities such as mining, its fertility depreciates and might even be lost entirely.

*The harmful chemicals and heavy metals in the soil decrease soil microbial and
chemical activity.

*The chemical elements can also denature active enzymes that revitalize healthy soil
activities.

*Soil acidification as a consequence of pollution also leaches away essential natural

minerals like magnesium and calcium.
 7. Changes in the Soil Structure
*Acidification, diminished soil fertility, and death of soil organisms in the soil can lead
to changes in soil structure.

This is because soil microorganisms help in breaking down organic matter that
promotes soil structure regarding vitality and water penetration as well as retention.

8. Increase in Soil Salinity

*The increase in soil salinity, salinization, is an effect of salt accumulation in the
soil.

*Salts occur naturally in the soil. However, increased accumulations are linked to
soil pollution.

* Irrigation and agricultural processes that discharge nitrate and phosphate deposits
in the soil are the primary contributors to increasing salt levels in the soil.
 What To Do About Soil Pollution?
Although laws and regulations have been put in place, there are additional
steps that we can take to curb soil pollution

Address Farming Practices Recycle Limit Pesticides

The effects of pesticides and other The old adage remains true – recycle, While pesticides and fertilizers
chemicals for farming purposes is reduce, reuse. Develop the habit of using have positive benefits, their use
well-documented. What is less paper, plastic, aluminum and glass should be limited because of
discussed is the impact of products. Reduce the use of products that their impact on the soil. In
overcropping and overgrazing. are not recyclable. Reuse items such as addition, you should make it a
These practices should be avoided containers rather than throwing them in point to use more
as they play a part in expediting the trash. environmentally-friendly
soil erosion substances when appropriate.
 Reforestation Bioremediation Opt for Biodegradable

Bioremediation is a
technique that calls for
adding microorganisms into
the soil to break down
contaminants. This is a safe
Regulations against cutting and environmentally-
down trees are great. friendly way to clean up
polluted soil. Try to use biodegradable
However, reforestation can
products as much as
also have a tremendous
possible. Even if they’re
effect.
thrown away, they will break
Where appropriate, new
down naturally and not
trees should be planted where
cause any toxic chemicals to
others have been cut down to
go into the soil.
help curb soil erosion
 Use Soil Additives Soil Washing

Certain organic matter from

composting, such as lime, can Also known as soil separation, soil washing is a
be used to adjust the pH levels water-based process for scrubbing contaminants
of the soil and limit soil off soils. It’s been proven to be effective on soils
pollution contaminated by heavy metals and organic
contaminants.
 Soil pollution has a major impact on the entire planet and it will
play a large role in the well-being of future generations.

The best we can do now is implement measures to slow down the pollution
and clean up polluted areas where possible.

Doing nothing will only allow the pollution to progress to a point where our
soil becomes the cause of major health epidemics.
Furthermore, the human population is expected to grow by two billion in the next 40
years.

With that being the case, it is of utmost importance that

the soil remains in tact in order to feed the population