THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES

TO THE QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF SOIL

INTRODUCTION

Human activities such as construction of structure and waste disposal has an impact to the changes of
our soil properties. The amount of human effect has grown to the point where the "Anthropocene," a
new geologic epoch marked by anthropogenic disruptions of the geologic record, is being discussed
widely. Soil pollution pertains to the presence of chemical substances present at a higher-than-normal
concentration that has harmful effects on any non-targeted organism (FAO and ITPS, 2015). Its effects
on soil contamination will depend on the soil properties since this control the mobility, bioavailability,
and residence time of contaminants (FAO and ITPS, 2015).

The main purpose of this research is for humans to know the different effects of their act in human
activities such as waste disposal affect the environment by resulting to contamination of soil that results
to vegetation abundance of the areas being affected of waste disposal. Soils faces problems related to
properties and uses. This research aims to know the effect of some human activities to the soil quality.
The results may help us gain some knowledge and understanding about the impact of some human
activities that may results in soil contamination, soil pollution, and lower qualities of soils. Thus, the
main goal is to spread to people of how their doings can affect our environment, nature and health.

Garbuio, F., Howard, J., Santos, L., "Impact of Human Activities on Soil Contamination", Applied and
Environmental Soil Science, vol. 2012, Article ID 619548, 2 pages, 2012.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/619548

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

According to a joint report released of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme, worsening soil pollution and waste proliferation
pose a serious threat to global food production, human health, and the environment, and demand an
immediate global response. Soil pollution affects the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we
breathe across all borders. According to the joint assessment, widespread environmental degradation
caused by soil pollution is worsening as a result of growing agrifood and industrial demands, as well as
an increasing global population, and is one of the world's major challenges for ecosystem restoration.

Other sources of land pollution include agricultural and industrial waste, solids from sewage treatment
plants, ashes, and garbage. Inorganic wastes accumulating in soil pose a threat to plant and animal life in
the area. Garbage is dumped carelessly on land. Plastic and rubber, for example, are non-biodegradable
wastes that kill soil life. Soil pollution is caused by the disposal of plastic and glass bottles, cans, rubber
tires, and electronic items in the soil. Terrestrial plants and animals are harmed by solid waste.

EVALUATION OF THE CASE

Soil degradation causes water pollution due to sediments and agricultural chemicals attached to eroded
fields. By increasing the erosive power of runoff and reducing the soil's ability to hold or immobilize
nutrients and pesticides, soil degradation indirectly causes water pollution.

According to Mr. Elmer Dameg, intensive crop cultivation and harvesting for human and animal
consumption can effectively mine the soil of plant nutrients, but even if it meets society's needs, it will
have a significant impact on our environment, resulting in a lack of supplies and an insufficient harvest.
It can also result in unhealthy crops as a result of over-cultivating the soil, which results in the loss of
nutrients that the soil can provide to the plant. Farmers also follow a planting season, and they do not
immediately plant new crops after removing the old crop. After they cultivate the soil to plant another
crop, months will be counted.

PROPOSE SOLUTION

In soil-based agriculture, soil health is the most important foundation for a healthy farm ecosystem.
Most common farming techniques used in industrial crop production, such as synthetic fertilizer
application and mono-cropping, can degrade soil over time, resulting in a cascade of problems that
necessitate the use of even more man-made inputs, contributing to climate change. Sustainable and
regenerative agriculture aims to improve soil health while sequestering carbon, storing water, and
creating healthier farm ecosystems at the same time.

Farmers can use a variety of techniques to build and maintain nutrient-rich soil structures in sustainable
agricultural systems without resorting to synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Crop rotation, the use of
compost, green manure, cover cropping, and mulching, no till or low till techniques, limited to zero
pesticide use and sustainable pest management techniques, such as buffer zones and beneficial insects,
and the addition of animals on pasture/animal manure to farm systems and crop rotation are all
examples of these techniques.

In reducing land pollution, the government can enact policies that discourage people from contributing
to it, as well as develop a solid waste disposal plan to manage soil contamination that could lead to
more problems in the future. Companies, on the other hand, can switch from plastic packaging and
straws to paper or reusable alternatives. Finally, people need to learn how to recycle. Recycling is the
most practical and efficient method of waste disposal, and it benefits both people and the environment.

RECOMMENDATION

Governments must make intensive efforts to improve soil quality through treatment and restoration of
contaminants to ensure project sustainability, and the cost of remediation and restoration is the
responsibility of individuals and businesses as potential soil contaminants. World Soil Day is an
appropriate way to recognize the threatening realities of soil pollution and include programs to raise
awareness and encourage the public to act together. In this way we can also reduce the consumption of
genetically modified organisms that are harmful to both human health and soil quality because we use
powerful chemicals. National governments should also develop programs or institutionalize laws that
aim to take a systematic and holistic approach to addressing soil health issues to ensure the sustainable
use and management of soil resources.

Farmers must reduce the frequency and intensity of tillage to improve soil health and reduce erosion,
runoff and soil compaction to reduce the likelihood of nutrients entering waterways through runoff.
Since we are in a tropical country where agriculture is our main source of income, we have several
companies and large-scale farmers who use intense and toxic chemicals to increase production. In this
case, not only the soil, but also the quality of the air is damaged. Peasants, on the other hand, are
people who do minimal farming because they only produce food for individual consumption.