Soil Pollution

Soil, or land pollution, is contamination of the soil that prevents natural growth
and balance in the land whether it is used for cultivation, habitation, or a
wildlife preserve. Some soil pollution, such as the creation of landfills, is
deliberate, while much more is accidental and can have widespread effects.

Soil pollution sources include: Hazardous waste and sewage spills Non-sustainable
farming practices, such as the heavy use of inorganic pesticides Strip mining,
deforestation, and other destructive practices Household dumping and littering Soil
contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop yields, loss of wildlife
habitat, water and visual pollution, soil erosion, and desertification.

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Noise pollution refers to undesirable levels of noises caused by human activity
that disrupt the standard of living in the affected area. Noise pollution can come
from: Traffic Airports Railroads Manufacturing plants Construction or demolition
Concerts Effects may include hearing loss, wildlife disturbances, and a general
degradation of lifestyle.

Radioactive Pollution
Radioactive pollution is one of the types of pollution that is rare but extremely
detrimental, even deadly, when it occurs. Because of its intensity and the
difficulty of reversing damage, there are strict government regulations to control
radioactive pollution.

Sources of radioactive contamination include: Nuclear power plant accidents or

leakage Improper nuclear waste disposal Uranium mining operations

Radiation pollution can cause birth defects, cancer, sterilization, and other
health problems for human and wildlife populations. It can also sterilize the soil
and contribute to water and air pollution.
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Thermal Pollution
Thermal pollution is excess heat that creates undesirable effects over long periods
of time. Many types of thermal pollution are confined to areas near their source,
but multiple sources can have wider impacts over a greater geographic area.

Thermal pollution may be caused by: Power plants Urban sprawl Air pollution
particulates that trap heat Deforestation Loss of temperature moderating water
supplies As temperatures increase, mild climatic changes may be observed, and
wildlife populations may be unable to recover from swift changes.

All types of pollution are interconnected. For example, light pollution requires
energy to be made, which means the electric plant needs to burn more fossil fuels
to supply the electricity. Those fossil fuels contribute to air pollution, which
returns to the earth as acid rain and increases water pollution. The cycle of
pollution can go on indefinitely, but once you understand the different pollution
types, how they are created, and the effects they can have, you can make personal
lifestyle changes to combat poor conditions for yourself and others around you.

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INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
Industrial pollution is pollution which can be directly linked with industry, in
contrast to other pollution sources. This form of pollution is one of the leading
causes of pollution worldwide; in the United States, for example, the Environmental
Protective Agency estimates that up to 50% of the nation's pollution is caused by
industry. Because of its size and scope, industrial pollution is a serious problem
for the entire planet, especially in nations which are rapidly industrializing,
like China.

This form of pollution dates back to antiquity, but widespread industrial pollution
accelerated rapidly in the 1800s, with the start of the Industrial Revolution. The
Industrial Revolution mechanized means of production, allowing for a much greater
volume of production, and generating a corresponding increase in pollution. The
problem was compounded by the use of fuels like coal, which is notoriously unclean,
and a poor understanding of the causes and consequences of pollution.

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There are a number of forms of industrial pollution. One of the most common is
water pollution, caused by dumping of industrial waste into waterways, or improper
containment of waste, which causes leakage into groundwater and waterways.
Industrial pollution can also impact air quality, and it can enter the soil,
causing widespread environmental problems.

Because of the nature of the global environment, industrial pollution is never

limited to industrial nations. Traces of industrial pollutants have been identified
in isolated human, animal, and plant populations as well. Industrial pollution
hurts the environment in a range of ways, and it has a negative impact on human
lives and health. Pollutants can kill animals and plants, imbalance ecosystems,
degrade air quality radically, damage buildings, and generally degrade quality of
life. Factory workers in areas with uncontrolled industrial pollution are
especially vulnerable.

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A growing awareness of factory pollution and its consequences has led to tighter
restrictions on pollution all over the world, with nations recognizing that they
have an obligation to protect themselves and their neighbors from pollution. As
these countries industrialize, they add to the global burden of industrial
pollution, triggering serious discussions and arguments about environmental
responsibility and a desire to reach a global agreement on pollution issues.

TYPES OF POLLUTANTS AND THEIR ILL-EFFECTS

Modernization and progress have led to our world getting more and more polluted
over the years. Industries, vehicles, increase in the population, and urbanization
are some of the major factors responsible for this pollution. The following
industries are among those that emit a great deal of pollutants into the air:
thermal power plants, cement, steel, refineries, petro chemicals, and mines.

Listed below are the major industrial pollutants, their sources and effects: Carbon
monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by the incomplete
burning of carbon-based fuels including petrol, diesel, and wood. It is also
produced from the combustion of natural and synthetic products such as cigarettes.
It lowers the amount of oxygen that enters our blood. It can slow our reflexes and
make us confused and sleepy.

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Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are gases that are released mainly from airconditioning
systems and refrigeration. When released into the air, CFCs rise to the
stratosphere, where they come in contact with few other gases, which lead to a
reduction of the ozone layer that protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet
rays of the sun.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the principle greenhouse gas emitted as a result of human
activities such as the burning of coal, oil, and natural gases.

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Lead is present in petrol, diesel, lead batteries, paints, hair dye products, etc.
Lead affects children in particular. It can cause nervous system damage and
digestive problems and, in some cases, cause cancer.

Ozone occurs naturally in the upper layers of the atmosphere. This important gas
shields the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. However, at the
ground level, it is a pollutant with highly toxic effects. Vehicles and industries
are the major source of ground-level ozone emissions. Ozone makes our eyes itch,
burn, and water. It lowers our resistance to colds and pneumonia.

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Nitrogen oxide causes smog and acid rain. It is produced from burning fuels
including petrol, diesel, and coal. Nitrogen oxides can make children susceptible
to respiratory diseases in winters.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) consists of solids in the air in the form of
smoke, dust, and vapor that can remain suspended for extended periods and is also
the main source of haze which reduces visibility. The finer of these particles,
when breathed in can lodge in our lungs and cause lung damage and respiratory
problems.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a gas produced from burning coal, mainly in thermal power
plants. Some industrial processes, such as production of paper and smelting of
metals, produce sulphur dioxide. It is a major contributor to smog and acid rain.
Sulfur dioxide can lead to lung diseases

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CONSEQUENCES OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
Pollution is far from something that is merely unsightly. All over the world,
industrial pollution has raised a number of alarms. There are a number of serious
health consequences that can result from unchecked pollution. The inhalation of
gases released by industries can cause breathing difficulties and are poisonous in
large quantities if the air supply is restricted. Many chemicals or substances used
in factories have put people working in these places at an increased risk for
developing certain types of cancers. Health hazards from asbestos dust have also
been recognized in many workers. Some harmful gases combine with moisture in the
earth‟s atmosphere and produce acids which return to the earth in raindrops. This
acid harms not only the fish in rivers but plants and trees as it is drawn up from
the earth. It eats away at buildings too. These problems are particularly severe in
some of the industrialized regions.

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Some of the gases are thought to be making the world warmer and certain gases in
the atmosphere like carbon dioxide (which we exhale) trap the sun‟s rays and warm
the planet. These gases exist naturally but they are also produced when fossil
fuels are burnt.

The amount of oil and gas burned has steadily increased over the last few decades
as a result of rapid industrialization, giving off more and more of these harmful
gases. This means that more of the sun‟s heat is trapped in the atmosphere causing
the temperature of the planet to rise. Scientists fear that ice from the poles and
from mountains will start to melt which will cause a rise in the sea level and a
flooding of coastal areas. The climate may also change, arid regions becoming drier
and tropical regions wetter.

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LAND DEGRADATION
Land degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysical environment is
affected by one or more combination of human-induced processes acting upon the
land. Natural hazards are excluded as a cause; however human activities can
indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bushfires. It is estimated that up
to 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded.

Causes

Land degradation is a global problem, mainly related to agricultural. The major

causes include: Land clearance, such as clear cutting and deforestation
Agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices Livestock
including overgrazing Urban conversion Irrigation and over drafting Land pollution
including industrial waste Vehicle Off-roading Weeds

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Effects
The main outcome of land degradation is a substantial reduction in the productivity
of the land. The major stresses on vulnerable land include: Accelerated soil
erosion by wind and water Soil acidification or alkalinization Salination
Destruction of soil structure including loss of organic matter Derelict soil Severe
land degradation affects a significant portion of the earth's arable lands,
decreasing the wealth and economic development of nations. Land degradation cancels
out gains advanced by improved crop yields and reduced population growth. As the
land resource base becomes less productive, food security is compromised and
competition for dwindling resources increases, the seeds of famine and potential
conflict are sown.

We often assume that land degradation only affects soil fertility. However, the
effects of land degradation often more significantly affect receiving water courses
(rivers, wetlands and lakes) since soil, along with nutrients and contaminants
associated with soil, are delivered in large quantities to environments that
respond detrimentally to their input.

Land degradation therefore has potentially disastrous effects on lakes and

reservoirs that are designed to alleviate flooding, provide irrigation, and
generate hydroelectricity.

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Solution
The problem of land degradation can be overcome by land improvement. Land
improvement or land amelioration is making land more usable by humans. In terms of
agriculture amelioration includes:


Hydrological improvement (drainage, irrigation, leaching of saline soils, landslide

and flood control) Soil improvement (fertilization, establishment of proper
chemical balance). Soil stabilization/erosion control Road construction
Afforestation, as a means for both water conservation and land protection

   

Uncontrolled land utilization expanded the above traditional categories with

actions for combating soil degradation:
  

Combating desertification Polluted land reclamation Land rehabilitation after

industrial or mining usage

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CASE STUDY: MAHARASHTRA
“Industrialization is a national priority and it has to take place. In Maharashtra
we have demonstrated that industrialization would bring prosperity,” says Sharad
Pawar, former chief minister of Maharashtra who has been an important player in
national politics as well. “We have been able to concentrate on industrialization
consistently and thus there is a mad rush among the industries to set up their
plant in Maharashtra,” he says with a proud air. What he says is not untrue. But
what Pawar‟s statement hides is another story.

The state of the Maharashtra generates the highest amount of tax revenue and has
the highest GDP among all the states. A recent survey identified it as the most
investment friendly state of the country. Even before India‟s independence, it was
the most industrialized state, accounting for half of national cotton and sugar
production at the time. Its capital Mumbai — known as the business capital of India
— hosts almost half of the industrial units in the state. The Maharashtra
Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has created 265 industrial estates.
Officials in the state industry department say that industrialists are more
powerful here than the chief minister.
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“Maharashtra‟s coast has a well developed petroleum industry, which attracts
different chemicals units. Besides, the state unofficially projected the sea as a
free dumping ground for these hazardous industrial units,” says Ras hmi Patil,
professor at the Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute
of Technology, Mumbai. “The state is well connected to the international market
through air and sea. Chemicals industry, which thrives on the export market, is
more interested in Maharashtra and Gujarat,” she adds. Maharashtra accounts for one
-fourth of the national annual turnover of the chemicals sector. After using
virtually every inch of space in cramped urban areas like Mumbai, the state
government is now taking industrial development to rural areas.

The Maharashtra Industrial defunct effluent treatment

Development

Corporation’s

Solid waste: hazardous dilemma

Mumbai, with a population of about 10 million, produces more than 5,000 tonnes of
solid waste per year. There are 40,000 small- and large-scale industrial units in
the city, 523 of them in the chemicals sector, 531 in textiles and 9 deal with
pesticides. One-fourth of the solid waste generated in Mumbai is toxic, according
to the Environmental Status of Mumbai, a publication of the Greater Mumbai
Municipality Corporation. Maharashtra generates 195,000 tonnes of hazardous waste
per year through 3,908 industrial units. This is supposed to be managed by MIDC.
Though there has been a move to identify eight dumping sites, only one is
operational.

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Rivers: weeping black tears
MPCB says 75 per cent of the rivers in the state are polluted by industry.

Cost of industrial prosperity: Untreated industrial effluents flow into residential

blocks at Dombivli Since the 1970s, Pimpri, one of India‟s premier industrial
estates, has taken its toll. The river is so polluted that it is not even suitable
for survival of crabs, considered some of the toughest creatures when it comes to
surviving water pollution. A 1997 study by the University of Pune observed that the
water of the river just before entered Pimpri was potable, while at the point it
left Pimpri, it was highly polluted.

The fate of Patalganga River is no better. The river flows besides the industrial
area called Rasayani (which means chemicals in Hindi/Marathi) in Khapoli town of
Raigad district. The Society for Clean Environment, a Mumbai-based NGO which has
conducted a survey of the area, estimates that more than 15 million liters of
highly polluted effluents are discharged into the river every day.
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The state government denied any pollution in the area and even defended the
industrial units. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board denied that the water of
the Patalganga River had become wholly unfit for human consumption due to
pollution. The court set up an expert committee to ascertain the truth. It said
that the MPCB needs to be more vigilant in monitoring the industrial units. Though
the Mehta of MPCB says that all the industrial units in the area are pollution free
now, the river still looks „faint green‟ and villagers protest saying that there is
a nexus between the industrialists and PCB members.

What has aggravated the problem is the Tata Hydro Electric Power Station at
Khopoli, which blocks the river flow to generate electricity for Mumbai. Some five
years ago the flow in the river came to such a low that it was not even flushing
away the effluents discharged by factories, turning it to an effluent drain. The
petition of the BEAG said that “the peaking power requirement for Bombay city is
not more important than drinking water for about 100,000 people”.

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From here, whence?
Maharashtra was the first state in India to have water pollution control
legislation in India in 1970. In the same year, MPCB was established. Although
there are elaborate provisions in the law, factories continue polluting.

The most industrialized state of India direly needs an overhaul of the way it
perceives environmental pollution. Otherwise its workers will continue to live a
miserable life till a more miserable death relieves them. The chances of the
politicians waking up to address this cause are quite faint, although they have the
power. Now, it is up to the civil society to become more powerful. It can make a
small beginning by compiling all the information available in the state on
industrial pollution. Knowledge is the ultimate power. It is also the only tool for
the civil society.

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
“Pollution, Emergence with such devastating evolution In the face of the ever
expanding globalization Filled with development, riches, vision But a price to pay
for what nature has become Of a barren, dead paradise once full of fulfillment What
can we say as to what can we really do Or what can we really do to make a move To
prevent further devastation of this kind From such expanding deterioration from
happening in time Is what we can rest assure of this disaster Never to happen again
ever after”

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Pollution, in fact, is a part of our lives today. Natural pollution occurs
naturally and won't cause excessive harm to our lives due to its regeneration
ability. However, the man-made pollution is caused by human activities, and hard to
get rid of. The backbones of this man-made pollution are human population and
technology.

What can we say about this problem? If we bring this topic out to people in
general, politicians and industrialists alike, there is an immediate agreement that
pollution is wrong and it must be prevented. But we have to ask ourselves, what the
degree of global pollution is now and the efforts taken to combat it. Is pollution
now overpowering us? But we can be assured as the world goes on; zero pollution can
never be achieved. At least, we should give an effort to minimize it, regardless of
geographical boundaries.

Industrial pollution is a growing pain. It is not a problem that came suddenly from
the sky- it's our fault and has been a part of our life through many years. Can you
imagine living in a world where all the things we use are synthetics? We must be
wise in managing our resources, and take positive action towards preventing any
forms of pollution to the environment. Make the world a better place to live.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fifty Simple Things You Can Do To Save The U.A.E.’s Environment Published by Union
National Bank Printed by Emirates Printing Press Year: 1998

LINKS

http://www.wlfoet5.demon.co.uk/ http://www.wisegeek.com/
http://www.edugreen.teri.res.in/
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Crisis/Industrial-pollution.htm#
http://library.thinkquest.org/ http://www.cartoonstock.com/ http://www.google.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

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