Introduction

The study of soil pollution is very important to a large number of researchers and those interested
in the environment, due to the great impact that the pollution of agricultural lands has on the lives
of humans and animals alike. The chemical and physical changes in soil composition are caused
by the entry of foreign bodies. Also, the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in large
quantities, the fall of acid rain, as well as the dumping of solid and liquid waste from factories and
others, contribute to the loss of soil fertility and organic materials.
The research addresses several important topics, including the definition of environmental
pollution, emphasizing soil pollution. It also sheds light on the most important soil pollutants, such
as radioactive contamination. Radioactive pollution is one of the most important global pollutants
due to the negative effects of radioactive materials on soil, plants, humans and animals. The
research focuses on industrial and household waste pollution. Most of the factories are located near
residential areas and rivers. Also, volcanoes, fires and mining contribute significantly to soil
pollution and losing its organic matter and fertility. Pesticides, fungicides and chemical fertilizers
affect soil and agricultural crops. The use of untreated wastewater to irrigate agricultural lands
causes soil pollution through the growth of harmful insects and plants.
Environmental pollution is all the undesirable changes that occur in the environment, whether
partial or total, due to the whole types of human activities. It is also known as the atmosphere
that results from changes in the ecological environment created by humans, Environmental
pollution can be considered as the cause of inconvenience, damage, disease, or death [1]. Soil
pollution can be defined as the entry of foreign bodies into the soil that leads to a change in the
chemical and physical composition. This often results from the use of pesticides and fertilizers,
and acid rain that changes the pH of the soil, throwing off radioactive unions and others
Definition of soil pollution :
Soil pollution is defined as the build-up in soils of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts,
radioactive materials, or disease causing agents, which have adverse effects on plant growth and
animal health. Soil is the thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the Earth's rocky
surface.
The organic portion, which is derived from the decayed remains of plants and animals, is
concentrate din the dark uppermost topsoil. The inorganic portion made up of rock fragments, was
formed over thousands of years by physical and chemical . Productive soils are necessary for
agriculture to supply the world with sufficient food.
Aims of soil pollution
Environmental pollution influences both soil and agriculture which are the two facets of valuable
resource necessary for our sustenance. For agriculture, soil is generally assumed as an
inexhaustible resource, which is used and overused continually for increasing production. The soil
today has virtually become lifeless in many places with increasing development &
industrialization. Soil, microflora, fauna, nutrients and associated habitat has the potential to
influence the soil ecosystem, agriculture, environment and economy in one go. Soil and its living
organisms are an integral part of agricultural ecosystems and environment, playing a critical role
in maintaining soil health, ecosystem functions and productivity. They range from the myriad of
invisible microbes, bacteria and fungi to the more familiar macro-fauna such as earthworms and
termites. Plant roots can also be considered as soil organisms in view of their symbiotic
relationships and interactions with other soil components. These diverse organisms interact with
one another and with the various plants and animals in the ecosystem, forming a complex web of
biological activity.

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution is an international, interdisciplinary journal on all aspects
of pollution and solutions to pollution in the biosphere. This includes chemical, physical
and biological processes affecting flora, fauna, water, air and soil in relation to
environmental pollution. Because of its scope, the subject areas are diverse and include
all aspects of pollution sources, transport, deposition, accumulation, acid precipitation,
atmospheric pollution, metals, aquatic pollution including marine pollution, Arctic
/Antarctic pollution, water, ground water, waste water, microplastics, nanoparticles,
pesticides, environmental sustainability, soil pollution, industrial pollutants, sewage,
sediment pollution, forestry pollution, effects of pollutants on humans, vegetation, fish,
aquatic species, micro-organisms, and animals. Submissions are welcome in
environmental and molecular toxicology applied to pollution research, biosensors,
global and climate change, ecological implications of pollution and pollution models.
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution also publishes manuscripts on methods used in the study
of environmental pollutants, environmental toxicology, environmental biology
andchemistry,bioassays, novel environmental engineering and bioreactors related to
pollution, remote sensing, bio char in pollution control, environmental genomics
applied to pollution research, biodiversity as influenced by pollution, environmental
biotechnology
Objectives of soil pollution:

The rapid pace of industrialization has made this soil ecosystem, one of the worst hit victims. The
development process has ushered in the challenges of soil contamination, microbial and
biodiversity loss. Current growth patterns are reflecting on the very productivity of our agricultural
soils. It is time to recognize that the economic and social development depends on the protection
of the environment and reduction of the human impact. Environmental problems, which may have
global impacts, are complex and often interrelated with socio-economic factors. Problems of soil
contamination, pollution and degradation, loss of biodiversity do not recognize political borders
and pose major threats to human safety, health and productivity. The need to take actions to sustain
soil and its immediate environment becomes pressing and challenging task in today’s environment.
One of the important dimensions of the efforts for environmental protection is raising public
awareness and participation. The conference aims to provide a platform to deliberate on concerns
on soil toxicology, soil contamination, soil management, technologies and impacts on human
health and our approaches to answer these challenges. The deliberations are expected to provide
an understanding of the complex interplay of soil, agriculture, and the environment with the
underlying concept that soil is elixir of life and is one of the five components of earth, water, fire,
air and space, essential to our existence
3. Soil Pollution
Soil Profile: If one could dig a massive trench (hole), about 50-100ft vertically downwards into
the ground, you will notice that you would have cut through various layers of soil types. A look
at the layers from a distance gives one a cross-section view of the ground (beneath the surface)
and the kind of soils and rocks it is made up of.

This cross section view is called a Soil Profile. The profile is made up of layers, running parallel
to the surface, called Soil Horizons. Each horizon may be slightly or very different from the
other above or below it. Each horizon tells a story about the makeup, age, texture and
characteristics of that layer. Most soils have three major horizons. These are A Horizon, B
Horizon and C Horizon. Aside these three, there are also the O, E and R horizons. How are they
different
O-Horizon:
The O horizon is very common in many surfaces with lots of vegetative cover. It is the layer
made up of organic materials such as dead leaves and surface organisms, twigs and fallen trees.
It has about 20% organic matter. It is possible to see various levels of decomposition occurring
here (minimal, moderately, highly and completely decomposed organic matter). This horizon is
often black or dark brown in colour, because of its organic content. It is the layer in which the
roots of small grass are found.
A-Horizon:
The A horizon may be seen in the absence of the O horizon, usually known as the topsoil. It is
the top layer soils for many grasslands and agricultural lands. Typically, they are made of sand,
silt and clay with high amounts of organic matter. This layer is most vulnerable to wind and
water erosion. It is also known as the root zone.
E-Horizon:
The E horizon is usually lighter in colour, often below the O and A horizons. It is often rich in
nutrients that are leached from the top A and O horizons. It has a lower clay content and are
common in forested lands or areas with high quality O and A horizons.
U B-Horizon:
The B-horizon has some similarities with the E-horizon. This horizon is formed below the O, A
and E horizons and may contain high concentrations of silicate clay, iron, aluminium and
carbonates. It is also called the illuviation zone because of the accumulation of minerals. It is
the layer in which the roots of big trees end.
C-Horizon:
The C horizon lacks all the properties of the layers above it. It is mainly made up of broken
bedrock and no organic material. It has cemented sediment and geologic material. There is little
activity here although additions and losses of soluble materials may occur. The C horizon is
also known as scapolite.
R-Horizon: The R horizon is bedrock, material, compacted and cemented by the weight of the
overlying horizons. Is the unweather parent material. Rock types found here include granite,
basalt and limestone.

Causes of Soil Pollution

Soil pollution is caused by the presence of man-made chemicals or other alteration in the natural
soil environment. This type of contamination typically arises from the rupture of underground
storage links, application of pesticides, percolation of contaminated surface water to subsurface
strata, oil and fuel dumping, leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of industrial
wastes to the soil. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents,
pesticides, lead and other heavy metals. This occurrence of this phenomenon is correlated with the
degree of industrialization and intensities of chemical usage.
A soil pollutant is any factor which deteriorates the quality, texture and mineral content of thesoil
or which disturbs the biological balance of the organisms in the soil. Pollution in soil has adverse
effect on plant growth. Pollution in soil is associated with
• Indiscriminate use of fertilizers
• Indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides
• Dumping of large quantities of solid west
• Deforestation and soil erosion

Indiscriminate use of fertilizers

Soil nutrients are important for plant growth and development. Plants obtain carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen from air and water. But other necessary nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
calcium, magnesium, sulphur and more must be obtained from the soil. Farmers generally use
fertilizers to correct soil deficiencies. Fertilizers contaminate the soil with impurities, which come
from the raw materials used for their manufacture. Mixed fertilizers often contain ammonium
nitrate (NH4NO3),phosphorus as P2O5, and potassium as K2O. For instance, As, Pub and Cd
present in traces in rock phosphate mineral get transferred to super phosphate fertilizer. Since the
metals are not degradable, their accumulation in the soil above their toxic levels due to excessive
use of phosphate fertilizers, becomes an indestructible poison for crops.
The over use of NPK fertilizers reduce quantity of vegetables and crops grown on soil over the
years. It also reduces the protein content of wheat, maize, grams, etc., grown on that soil. The
carbohydrate quality of such crops also gets degraded. Excess potassium content in soil
decreases Vitamin C and carotene content in vegetables and fruits. The vegetables and fruits
grown on over-fertilized soil are more prone to attacks by insects and disease.

Indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides

Plants on which we depend for food are under attack from insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, rodents
and other animals, and must compete with weeds for nutrients. To kill unwanted populationsliving
in or on their crops, farmers use pesticides. The first widespread insecticide use began at the endof
World War II and included DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and
gammaxene.InsectssoonbecameresistanttoDDTandasthechemicaldidnotdecomposereadily,nment.
Since it was soluble in fat rather than water, it biomagnified up the food chain and disrupted
calcium metabolism in birds, causing eggshells to be thin and fragile. As a result, large birds of
prey such as the brown pelican, ospreys, falcons and eagles became
endangered.DDThasbeennowbeenbannedinmostwesterncountries.IronicallymanyofthemiUSA,
The most important pesticides are DDT, BHC, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates,
Aldrin, malathion, diel Drin, furan, etc. The remnants of such pesticides used on pests may get
adsorbed by the soil particles, which then contaminate root crops grown in that soil. The
consumption of such crops causes the pesticides remnants to enter human biological systems,
affecting them adversely.
An infamous herbicide used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War called Agent Orange (dioxin), was
eventually banned. Soldiers' cancer cases, skin conditions and infertility have been linked to
exposure to Agent Orange. Pesticides not only bring toxic effect on human and animals but also
decrease the fertility of the soil. Some of the pesticides are quite stable and their bio- degradation
may take weeks and even months. Pesticide problems such as resistance, resurgence, and heath
effects have caused scientists to seek alternatives.

Dumping of solid wastes

In general, solid waste includes garbage, domestic refuse and discarded solid materials such as
those from commercial, industrial and agricultural operations. They contain increasing amounts
of paper, cardboards, plastics, glass, old construction material, packaging material and toxic or
otherwise hazardous substances. Since a significant amount of urban solid waste tends to be
paper and food waste, the majority is recyclable or biodegradable in landfills. Similarly, most
agricultural waste is recycled and mining waste is left on site.
The portion of solid waste that is hazardous such as oils, battery metals, heavy metals from
smelting industries and organic solvents are the ones we have to pay particular attention to. These
canine the long run, get deposited to the soils of the surrounding area and pollute them by altering
their chemical and biological properties. They also contaminate
drinkingwateraquifersources.Morethan90%ofrefrontLoveCanalcaseinUSAin1978.sneathhomes,g
an unusually large number of birth defects, cancers and respiratory, nervous and kidney diseases.
Pollution of surface soils
Urban activities generate large quantities of city wastes including several Biodegradable materials
(like vegetables, animal wastes, papers, wooden pieces, carcasses, plant twigs, leaves, cloth
wastes as well as sweepings) and many non-biodegradable materials (such as plastic bags, plastic
bottles, plastic wastes, glass bottles, glass pieces, stone / cement pieces). On a rough estimate
Indian cities are producing solid city wastes to the tune of 50,000 - 80,000 metric tons every day.
If left uncollected and decomposed, they are a cause of several problems such as
• Clogging of drains: Causing serious drainage problems including the burst / leakage of
drainage lines leading to health problems.
• Barrier to movement of water: Solid wastes have seriously damaged the normal movement of
water thus creating problem of inundation, damage to foundation of buildings as well as public
health hazards.
• Foul smell: Generated by dumping the wastes at a place.
• Increased microbial activities: Microbial decomposition of organic wastes generate large
quantities of methane besides many chemicals to pollute the soil and water flowing on its
surface
• When such solid wastes are hospital wastes they create many health problems: As they may
have dangerous pathogen within them besides dangerous medicines, injections.
Pollution of Underground Soil

Underground soil in cities is likely to be polluted by

• Chemicals released by industrial wastes and industrial wastes
• Decomposed and partially decomposed materials of sanitary wastes
Many dangerous chemicals like cadmium, chromium, lead, arsenic, selenium products are likely
to be deposited in underground soil. Similarly underground soil polluted by sanitary wastes
generate many harmful chemicals. These can damage the normal activities and ecological balance
in the underground soil Causes in brief:
• Polluted water discharged from factories
• Runoff from pollutants (paint, chemicals, rotting organic material) leaching out of landfill
• Oil and petroleum leaks from vehicles washed off the road by the rain into
thesurroundinghabitat
• Chemical fertilizer runoff from farms and crops
• Acid rain (fumes from factories mixing with rain)
• Sewage discharged into rivers instead of being treated properly
• Over application of pesticides and fertilizers
• Purposeful injection into groundwater as a disposal method
• Interconnections between aquifers during drilling (poor technique)
• Septic tank seepage
• Lagoon seepage
• Sanitary/hazardous landfill seepage • Cemeteries

Types of Soil Pollution

1. Acidification of the soil: The acids found in rainwater such as carbonic acid, and
in decomposing organic material such as humic and fulvic acids, etc., can stimulate leaching
by dissociating into H+ ions and their component anions which then displace or attract base
cations from the soil exchange complex.
2. Salinization of the soil: It refers to an increase in salt content in the soil. It may lead
to soli erosion and may effect the crop output. Although salinization occurs naturally in semi-
arid and arid environments, it is often exacerbated as a result of human activity. In India, an
extensive portion of desert region in Rajasthan consists of saline soil. In parts of southwest
Australia, for example, removal of indigenous eucalyptus forest has resulted in extensive
salinization of soils. This has occurred because the deeply-rooted trees have been replaced by
shallow-rooted grasses and crops, which are less effective in lowering the ground-water level.
Capillary action is most intense, and salinity is greatest in soils where the water table is within
about 2 meter of the surface.
3. Agrochemical pollution: In recent decades, the use of inorganic fertilizers has
increased dramatically at the expense of more traditional organic nutrient treatments. Chemical
runoff from pesticides and fertilizers can degrade soil quality, whilst animal manure can change
its chemical composition. Inorganic fertilizers are used in preference to organic treatments
because the nutrients are in a more readily available form and are released rapidly after
applications. Fertilizers are applied in a variety of forms — solution, suspension, emulsion and
solid. The solid forms vary in particle size from fine powder to coarse granules and either spread
evenly (broadcast) over the soil surface or mechanically placed, by drilling, into the
rhizosphere. Generally the rate of nutrient release decreases with increasing particle size.
Fertilizers are based on compounds of plant macronutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium) and micro-nutrients (e.g., Zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum).
4. Industrial soil pollution: Industrial development has been associated with both
physical degradation and chemical contamination of soils. Problems of physical degradation
include erosion, compaction and structural damage resulting from construction activities and
opencast mineral extraction. The industry is also responsible for dumping industrial chemicals
and heavy metals (such as mercury) onto soil and thus polluting it.
5. Urban soil pollution: Human urban activities such as dumping waste, disposing of
sewage poorly and emitting greenhouse gases which dissolve into the rain and seep into the soil
are some of the main types of urban soil pollution. Chemical problems result from waste
disposal activities, discharge and spillage of liquid effluents and atmospheric emission
including acid deposited

6.Harmful Effect on Human Health

• It will increase the exposure to toxic and harmful chemicals thus increasing health threats to
people living
nearby and on the degraded land. Living, working or playing in the contaminated soil can lead to
respiratory diseases, skin diseases, and other diseases. Moreover, it can cause other health
problems.
• Water Sources Contamination
• The surface run-off after raining will carry the polluted soil and enter into different water
resource. Thus, it can cause underground water contamination thereby causing water
pollution. This water after contamination is not fit for human as well as animal use due to the
presence of toxic chemicals.
• Negative Impact on Ecosystem and Biodiversity
• Soil pollution can cause an imbalance of the ecosystem of the soil. The soil is an important
habitat and is the house of different type of microorganisms, animals, reptiles, mammals, birds,
and insects. Thus, soil
pollution can negatively impact the lives of the living organisms and can result in the gradual
death of many

Effects of Soil Pollution

Agricultural

• Reduced soil fertility

• Reduced nitrogen fixation
• Increased edibility
• Larger loss of soil and nutrients
• Deposition of silt in tanks and reservoirs
• Reduced crop yield
• Imbalance in soil fauna and flora Industrial
• Dangerous chemicals entering underground water
• Eco logical imbalance
• Release of pollutant gases
• Release of radioactive rays causing health problems
• Increased salinity

Environmental Long Term Effects of Soil Pollution

When it comes to the environment itself, the toll of contaminated soil is even more dire. Soilthat
has been contaminated should no longer be used to grow food, because the chemicals can leech
into the food and harm people who eat it.
If contaminated soil is used to grow food, the land will usually produce lower yields than itwould
if it were not contaminated. This, in turn, can cause even more harm because a lack of plants on
the soil will cause more erosion, spreading the contaminants onto land that might not have been
tainted before.
In addition, the pollutants will change the makeup of the soil and the types of microorganisms
that will live in it. If certain organisms die off in the area, the larger predator animals will also
have to move away or die because they've lost their food supply. Thus it's possible for soil
pollution to change whole ecosystems
Effects of soil pollution in brief:
 • pollution runs off into rivers and kills the fish, plants and other aquatic life
• crops and fodder grown on polluted soil may pass the pollutants on to the consumers
• polluted soil may no longer grow crops and fodder
• Soil structure is damaged (clay ionic structure impaired)
• corrosion of foundations and pipelines
• impairs soil stability
• may release vapours and hydrocarbon into buildings and cellars
• may create toxic dusts
• may poison children playing in the area

Control of soil pollution

The following steps have been suggested to control soil pollution. To help prevent soil erosion,
we can limit construction in sensitive area. In general we would need less fertilizer and fewer
pesticides if we could all adopt the three R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This would give us
less solid waste.
Reducing chemical fertilizer and pesticide use

Applying bio-fertilizers and manures can reduce chemical fertilizer and pesticide use.
Biological methods of pest control can also reduce the use of pesticides and thereby minimize
soil pollution.
Reusing of materials
Materials such as glass containers, plastic bags, paper, cloth etc. can be reused at domestic levels
rather than being disposed, reducing solid waste pollution.
Recycling and recovery of materials
This is a reasonable solution for reducing soil pollution. Materials such as paper, some kinds of
plastics and glass can and are being recycled. This decreases the volume of refuse and helps in
the conservation of natural resources. For example, recovery of one tonne of paper can save 17
trees.
Reforesting

Control of land loss and soil erosion can be attempted through restoring forest and grass covert
check wastelands, soil erosion and floods. Crop rotation or mixed cropping can improve the
fertility of the land.
Solid waste treatment

Proper methods should be adopted for management of solid waste disposal. Industrial waste scan
be treated physically, chemically and biologically until they are less hazardous. Acidic and alkaline
wastes should be first neutralized; the insoluble material if biodegradable should be allowed to
degrade under controlled conditions before being disposed.
As a last resort, new areas for storage of hazardous waste should be investigated such as
deepwell injection and more secure landfills. Burying the waste in locations situated away from
residential areas is the simplest and most widely used technique of solid waste management.
Environmental anaesthetic considerations must be taken into consideration before selecting the
dumping sites.
Incineration of other wastes is expensive and leaves a huge residue and adds to air pollution.
Pyrolysis is a process of combustion in absence of oxygen or the material burnt under controlled
atmosphere of oxygen. It is an alternative to incineration.
2. Soil Components
Mainly, the soil consists of:
1- Inorganic materials: They constitute the bulk of the soil. They are materials that result
from the disintegration of the various rocks that make up the earth's crust, such as igneous,
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks by chemical and mechanical factors. Nitrogen,
phosphorous, potassium, manganese, lead, copper, zinc, iron, aluminum, sodium and potassium
salts are the necessary elements for plants that determine the quality of the soil whether it is
calcareous, saline, iron, or neutral
2- Organic materials: These materials consist of plant and animal wastes such as animal
excrement (such as feces, blood, skins, roots and remains of plants, leaves, stems, carcasses of
dead animals, etc.) They are broken down and transformed over time into humus. Humus is one
of the main fertilizers of soil. Soil is a mobile world that contains Large and microscopic
organisms. They are part of the biosphere. They contribute to the aeration of the soil and change
its chemical composition. Bacteria absorb nitrogen and fix it in the soil to absorb it by the plant
because plants are unable to absorb it from the air directly. Therefore, the soil must be preserved
and not polluted
3. Soil pollutants
1- Radioactive pollution: It can be considered as one of the forms of pollution of a global
impact. It occurs when humans are exposed to industrially radioactive materials such as fallout
from nuclear bombs, and the industrial and military use of nuclear energy and other radioactive
materials such as uranium. This requires the collection of war remnants by sound scientific
methods and a comprehensive radiological survey [6].
2- Industrial and household wastes pollution: Industry pollution is one of the main sources
of pollution for the three elements of the environment, especially water resources, because most
industries are designed in terms of choosing their sites or disposing of their waste without taking
into account the environmental conditions near rivers. The recovered water recovered is
characterized by high concentrations of pollutants, most of which are discarded into rivers
without treatment [6].The unprogrammed industrial development, devoid of safety measures,
urban and random population development, and the increasing consumer demands that lead to
an increase in solid waste, exacerbate the problem of soil pollution and increase its damages.
The best solution to this type of pollution is to establish advanced factories in all governorates
to burn waste, or crush them. Also, environmental laws have to be enacted to compel every
company or factory to bear the full cost of collecting, transporting and treating waste [6]. 3-
Natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions or forest fires pollute the culture, because it
releases many toxic elements into the environment [7].
4-Mining has greatly affected soil, water and living organisms since ancient times. The smelting
of minerals and the release of mining facilities, huge quantities of heavy metals, and others
have led to the introduction of many pollutants into the soil [7].
5-Desertification:The phenomenon of desertification is the process of soil loss of fertility and
natural vegetation cover. It is exposed to air erosion and the transformation of agricultural lands,
pastures, and other areas, to deserted areas. Many natural and human factors combine to desolate
it. It has dire environmental, economic, social and civilizational consequences. Particularly, the
loss of productive lands, and the movement of sand dunes, severe sand, and dust storms cause air
pollution. Desertification can be classified according to its density, and affectivity. The
encroachment and expansion of the desert, at the expense of agricultural lands and insufficient
programs of combatting desertification, lead to a direct decrease in the amount of arable land
involved in agricultural production [6].
Other factors of desertification, including forest degradation, result from extensive clearing,
pastoral pressure, burning and military operations. This leads to increased water erosion and the
disappearance of the fertile layer of soil, which negatively affects the storage capacity of dams
and irrigation efficiency and enlarged costs. Therefore, the degradation of forests and other
vegetation has become an important factor in environmental degradation and its tendency
towards drought [6].

4. The pollution of agricultural soil

A- Pesticides and their impact on the agricultural environment: They are toxic compounds used
to kill and combat insects and fungi that transmit various diseases to humans or animals. Also,
they are considered as materials that contribute greatly to control diseases that affect crops.
However, their use leads to the elimination of agricultural pests. Wrong practices,Wrong
practices, unauthorized use of them, and failure to follow the necessary prevention measures,
expose the
composition of agricultural land properties to a huge number of negative effects. The problem
lies in the imbalance of the ecological balance, and the pollution of the various elements of the
environment such as soil, water, air, plants and animals [8].
Pollution by insecticides and fungi is one of the most important forms of soil physical pollution
and agricultural production at the beginning of the second half of the twentieth century. It has
been used as a means of controlling pests and diseases that affect plants. In 1920, the use of
airplanes to spray them in the vast cultivated areas helped to spread them to a great extent in
different regions of the world. Despite the role these pesticides play in reducing the risks of
infection with pests that affect agricultural plants, insects and parasites that transmit various
diseases to humans and animals, they are one of the main agricultural production elements that
cannot be completely dispensed with. They are means of controlling pests and insects that
destroy the cultivated crops. There are millions of plant insects and diseases in addition to weeds
that can infect crops and agricultural plants. However, the excessive use and lack of proper
knowledge of the concentration of the pesticide causes a lot of damage to human and animal
health, plant, and agricultural soil itself. Therefore, many international organizations identify
warnings and demands to limit the use of many of these pesticides, especially an old pesticide
known as DDT [9].
Destructive herbicides are chemicals used to remove harmful weeds that grow in harmful crops.
These pesticides have great negative effects, especially when they are used to resist a certain
type of weed. So, their effect is not only on the bush and weeds, but on the crops grown. It leads
to poor growth in addition to its effect on soil properties and pollution [3].
Fungicides cause heavy loss of agricultural crops. So, farmers will create some chemicals that
eliminate them, such as compounds that contain copper. Using them for long years leads to
copper pollution of the soil. Accordingly, it is affected by the biological plant environment.
For example, adding some fungicides leads to increase plant disease instead of reducing it [3].
Pesticides include arsenic, and their compounds are still used by ants, fungi, weeds, mice,
locusts and grasshoppers. They are used in the manufacture of dyes, ceramics, and others,
including arsenic trioxide, as well as copper stearate (coppe2 arsenate) called green of Paris and
others. It has many brand names such as zinc fused which is in the form of a blackish- brown
powder. It is widely used at homes, fields and farms as a repellent to mice and rats - and this
leads to human poisoning by eating food contaminated with poison. This pesticide that is
reacted with hydrochloric acid present in the stomach to form phosphate gas, which is a toxic
gas [3].
One of the most important dangers of these chemical pesticides is their elimination of beneficial
insects, including parasites, predators, and many wildlife, such as honeybees, tamarinds, fish in
the sea, poultry and agricultural crops. Consequently, its effect is transmitted to humans,
directly or indirectly, due to the presence of a large number of these pollutants in the soil, air
and water. The cumulative effects of chemical primers appeared due to their chemical stability
and the difficulty of their degradation. This helps to find highly resistant and immune insect
strains and pests that spread in areas far from the areas of use. Humans and other animals carry
high quantities of these harmful pesticides in their fatty tissues. Some pesticides accumulate
inside or outside plants and are transferred to humans, and directly or indirectly to animals.
Poultry is exposed to the effects of chemical pesticides through the plant fodder that they eat in
their sheds and places of culture. Some harmful rodents have developed immunity to chemical
pesticide toxins [4].
The most prominent negative effects that result from the excessive use of insecticides are the
following:
1- The excessive use of chemical pesticides leads to absorb part of these pesticides and
store them in their tissues, roots and leaves, causing harm to humans and animals that directly
eat them. It causes indirect harm to humans by eating animal products contaminated with
pesticides (eggs, milk, meat
2- Spraying agricultural crops with chemical pesticides leads to the elimination of
microorganisms in the soil (decomposition elements such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria and
streptococcus bacteria). This contributes to the analysis of organic matter in the soil, known as
humus, which affects the fertility of agricultural soil [9].
3- The excessive use of these chemicals leads to an imbalance in the existing natural
balance between pests and their natural enemies. The use of insecticides helps to eliminate
these natural enemies. On the one hand, it increases the chances of pests spreading, and the
costs of controlling them. Perhaps the disappearance of a bird known as Abu Guerdan and the
paddock from the Egyptian countryside is a good evident [9].
4- The excessive use of pesticides and their use for long periods of time lead to the
acquisition of many insects and pests of immunity against the pesticides used. This increases
the intensity of the war between humans and insects, Scientists are forced to produce other new
types of pesticides that are more effective and more toxic to overcome insect and pest resistance.
This increases the degree of risk and harm to human and animal health [9].
5- Many pesticides keep their effects for a long time in agricultural soil. In fact, this leads
to the persistence of its negative impact on plants, animals and humans for a period of time that
may last for several years. For example, studies indicate that Egyptian agricultural lands still
retain the remnants of the pesticides that were used in Egypt more than twenty years ago. Its
percentage ranges between 1-10% of the percentage of the pesticide used [9].
6- The negative effects of pesticides do not stop at this point. Rather, their impact extends
to the foreign trade of agricultural commodities and products, especially those affected by these
chemicals such as vegetable and fruit crops in many countries of the world (especially
developing countries). The excessive use of chemicals in general and pesticides in particular
harm the policy of exporting agricultural crops to these countries when the pesticides exceed
the permissible limit of the importing countries. Its rejection causes a great loss in the national
income of the exported countries due to contamination of their food products. Perhaps what
happened to Egyptian exports of potatoes in recent years is a good example of that [9].
The major role of the responsible organizations for managing pesticides must be mentioned. It
includes the following [4]:
1-Pesticides must have a high degree of effect on pests and less impact on humans and the
environment.
2-Pesticides that are highly toxic to humans and animals , and lead to the accumulation of a
high percentage of residues on plants and environmental elements must be prohibited. 3-Firm
application of legislation and procedures of importing, classifying, packaging and trading of
pesticides have to be applied.
4-The application of international laws issued by the World Health Organization, the
International Food and Agriculture Organization and governmental bodies concerned with
environmental protection must be taken into consideration.
5-Research efforts that have made tangible progress in the context of biological control should
be encouraged by using predatory or intrusive organisms to fight pests without using common
environmental toxins. In order to reach the generalization of biological control methods, we
must use chemical pesticides cautiously and follow the instructions to preserve human life and
the safety of the environment.
B - Chemical fertilizers and their impact on the agricultural environment :
The increasing demand for food and clothing is a result of the continuous increase in population
numbers on the one hand, and the limited arable land and its fertility decline on the other hand.
People have resorted to using different types of agricultural fertilizers to increase soil fertility
and increase its production of different agricultural crops [9].
There are many types of fertilizers that are made from chemical compounds. Nitrogenous and
nitrogenous fertilizers, phosphate and potassium fertilizers are the most important types which
lead to the contamination of vegetables and fruits with harmful chemical compounds.
Consequently, it moves to the human body through food chains, causing anemia in children,
and pharyngeal and bladder cancer in adults. These fertilizers cause the formation of a non-
porous layer during heavy rain, adversely affecting the roots of plants. It causes its inability to
absorb some of the nutrients in the soil that the plant needs. When its quantity exceeds the
plant’s need, it causes severe damage to the elements of the environment surrounding the soil
[8].
It is well-known that the agricultural fertilizers that humans use in agricultural production are
divided into two main types: Organic fertilizers that are produced from animal, bird and human
waste, and chemical fertilizers that result from the manufacture of certain chemical elements
needed by plants and soil (nitrogen - phosphorous - potassium) [9]. In fact, despite the
importance of agricultural fertilizers in increasing agricultural production to lands that lack
basic organic matter, humus, overuse, especially chemical ones, they have a negative impact
on the components of the agricultural environment, plant, animal, soil, and people who are the
main consumers of agricultural production [9].
The most prominent of those negative effects that result from the excessive use of fertilizers in
agriculture are the following:
1-The excessive use of chemical fertilizers quantities that exceed the plant’s need leads to their
accumulation in the tissues, roots and leaves of cultivated plants. This accumulation changes
the natural and chemical properties. The excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers leads to the
accumulation of large amounts of nitrates in the leaves and roots of vegetable and fruit crops.
Due to the large quantities, plants become tasteless and colourless. Also, the excessive

use of nitrates beyond the normal rate (15 mg per kilogram of a person's weight per day) leads
to human infection with many dangerous diseases such as cancerous tumors and others [9]. 2-
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers leads to the formation of a non-porous layer between
the soil particles. It has a negative effect on the agricultural soil. It leads to a rise in the ground
water level, a higher level of salinity, and its effect on aeration of the soil. It also leads to the
death of the roots of the cultivated plants. Excessive quantities may lead the plant to be unable
to absorb the nutrients in the soil that it needs for its growth. It converts nutrients into substances
that the plant cannot absorb. This leads to a lack of plant growth. Studies have proven that the
excessive use of phosphate fertilizers leads to precipitation of some rare minerals such as copper
and turns them into substances that plants cannot absorb and benefit from [9].
3- Many chemical fertilizer compounds are prepared in stable compounds that cannot be
disposed of easily. Their effects remain in the soil for a long period of up to 5-50 years as
phosphorous compounds. This means that their impact on the soil will extend for a long period
of time [9].
4- The effect of chemical fertilizers does not stop at this point. The excessive quantity will
lead to the accumulation of a high amount in the soil. This accumulated part will dissolve in the
irrigation water and seep into the groundwater and contaminate it. It may leak into agricultural
drains and waterways adjacent to agricultural lands, which are a source for human drinking,
and the livelihood of some living organisms such as fish. It causes severe damage to both
humans and living organisms in waterways [9].
5- The excessive use of organic fertilizers leads to the spread of insect and Qatari diseases,
the demolition of soil humus, and the loss of its fertility and its ability to produce [9].
C- Other pollutants of agricultural soil: In addition, the chemical pollution of
agricultural soil
by using pesticides and chemical fertilizers, human excess in the use of irrigation water, and the
inability of the agricultural drainage network to rid the soil of excess water, have led to increase
in the level of land water and salinity in the soil. It may adversely affect aeration and soil
temperature. This has been reflected in the productive efficiency of the lands used for the
production of agricultural crops [9].
 The operations of planting the crop more than once in the land and neglect of farmers to serve
the land before planting have led to a severe shortage of many nutrients in the soil. This was
reflected in a significant deterioration in the productivity of various agricultural crops. A
scientific study proves that the deficit in the trace elements in the Egyptian soil, for example,
after the establishment of the High Dam in 1960 amounted to about 80% in the iron, about
83.4% in the manganese, about 80.2% in the zinc, and about 76.5% in the copper element. It
highlights the extent of the decline in the fertility of the Egyptian soil and its productive capacity
[9].
D-The use of wastewater in irrigation operations: Some agricultural areas depend on
rain and
wastewater for irrigation. This Leads to the accumulation of mud and reduce the speed of
water flow and the growth and spread of water weeds, which creates a suitable environment
for the reproduction of snails and insects, especially mosquitoes. One of the modern
agricultural methods is the use of treated wastewater to irrigate lands for different types of
crops. However, there are caveats about its frequent use and excessive amounts of irrigation
(such as the flooding method). It leads to the inadequacy of the soil as a suitable medium for
plant growth and to an increase in its salts, and thus poor agricultural production [8]. It is
necessary to treat sewage water before its use in irrigation, to avoid the spread of diseases
transmitted to humans through the polluted water. This is used to irrigate fruitless agricultural
crops and to preserve the fertility of the soil [4].
E - Logging and overgrazing: People find in the forests an outlet from city pollution. It is
the main store of carbon on the earth. Destroying large areas of it, especially by burning it, adds
large quantities of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Tropical forests are among the richest in
the world for their biodiversity. Any process of destruction and removal will have a negative
impact on the species of living organisms and the biological diversity itself. It also destroys the
physical, chemical and biological characteristics of agricultural lands due to their exposure to
erosion and sand encroachment processes [8].
F- Industrial solid waste: A person consumes goods and cleaning materials to take care of
himself, his clothes, or his tools. They contain phosphates, which increase the cleaning ability of
the industrial detergent. They have a toxic effect on both humans and animals. The proximity of
plants to factories, especially the cement industry, leads to the fading of green leaves, stopping
their growth and delaying their fruits. Car exhaust also affects agricultural lands on the sides of
asphalt roads because they are subject to the accumulation of large levels of lead. In many cases,
acid rain pollutes natural waterways, and negatively affect soils and other agricultural crops.
Many countries suffer from the problem of soil pollution. Many of its lands are threatened by
pollution with dangerous toxic and radioactive materials that occur as a result of improper
disposal or storage of these materials. Thermal pollution occurs as a result of the power plants
discharging of large amounts of hot water into the sea as part of the cooling process, which effects
all elements of the environment surrounding humans, animals and plants [8].
G - The effects of air pollution on plants: The plant space is exposed to various
forms of
pollution, such as air pollution. The rains dissolve the pollutants in the air and carry them to the
soil to reach the plants and dissolve in their cellular fluids and destroy their tissues. Some plant
leaves are sensitive to some pollutant gases. Also, the increased level of pollution often leads
to leaf fall and death of trees [1].
H –The contamination of the soil with hydrocarbons: The soil of the stored
and distributed centers of petroleum products is contaminated as a result of several activities,
including disposal of waste results from cleaning petroleum storage tanks, leaks that occurred
during the irregular filling process of freight cars, which distribute petroleum products between
centers and stations, and the mixing of water. The filling yards shall be cleaned from petroleum
products, their runoff, and their leakage to the surrounding environment. This pollution affects
air, water and soil. It affects the air through fumes from hydrocarbons that cause cancerous
diseases and chronic pneumonia for workers in the centre and neighbouring facilities. They
affect the water when petroleum materials seep into the groundwater and the wells used as a
source of drinking water and irrigation of agricultural lands. It also affects the soil. Pollution
occurs with water carrying hydrocarbons and seeping into soils through groundwater
movement. This results in harming these lands and leaving them out of the scope of It is worth
noting that hydrocarbons are a group of compounds obtained from petroleum distillation that
are classified as hydrogen coals. These fall into two categories: saturated compounds and
unsaturated compounds. Unsaturated compounds are characterized by the possibility of
bonding with different elements due to the presence of free bonds in their atoms. Petroleum
distillation produces light compounds (natural gas and gasoline), medium compounds
(kerosene) and heavy compounds (lubricants, diesel and fuels). The density of these
compounds affects soil pollution and choosing the most appropriate method for soil treatment
[10].
I- The introduction of pollutants into the soil through many paths after the deliberate disposal
of solid or liquid waste in piles or waste basins is one of the most obvious types of soil pollution.
Municipal or industrial wastes, mines, sediments, or soil contaminated with pits may contain a
wide range of contaminants including metals, cyanides (CH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos and methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), and
hydrogen sulfide (H2S). These materials pose a threat to the surrounding unpolluted soil.
Pollutants are dispersed from disposal sites through sustainable site isolation. There are many
past dump sites that trigger accidental releases of industrial pollutants such as road accidents or
accidental spills of industrial facilities. Liquid materials in particular can easily contaminate
large amounts of soil, because they easily penetrate the soil and disperse it. Soil, in military
training areas and battlefields, is contaminated with ammunition, explosives, fuel, and scrap
metals containing substances such as PAHs, lead and depleted uranium [11].
Soil is also affected by pollutant inputs, and the atmosphere such as deposition of acidic
compounds from power plants, chemical plants and traffic (such as sulphur dioxide (SO2),
nitrogen oxide (NOx), which turns into sulphuric acid (N2SO4) and nitric acid (NNO3).
Through atmospheric reactions, they are converted to nitric acid in the soil. Before the
introduction of unleaded fuel, traffic was an important source of lead contamination. Yet, traffic
is still a source of atmospheric deposition of benzene and PAHs. De-icers and rubber tire
particles contain heavy metals, and contribute to soil pollution in the vicinity of roads.
Atmospheric emissions, subsequent sedimentation to soil, and burning of waste produce heavy
metals, nitrogen oxides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls
[11].
5. The use of microorganisms to test soil contamination
The large part of soil in this universe is mixed with the necessary microorganisms in the
processes of demolition, and the analysis of organic matter, especially toxic ones. It is the main
factor in the cycle of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur in nature because it maintains
the continuity of these elements in the soil in a sufficient amount for the life of plants and
animals. There are many bacteria and fungi that play an important role in the continuity of soil
fertility. Treating soil biologically by using microorganisms requires a careful scientific effort
so that the functions of the remaining organisms are not affected and harms the natural
composition of the soil [12].
There are several methods to measure pollution in the soil due to chemicals, including:
Measuring the rate of soil respiration (production of carbon dioxide by soil organisms) and the
enzymatic activity of the soil, such as the decomposition of urea with urease and phosphatase
compounds. Measuring the degree of contamination by a microorganism requires [ the choice of
a sensitive organism to contamination such as nitrifying bacteria. It is responsible for the
oxidation of ammonia into nitrate. There are several methods mentioned in the ISO program
(ISO 14238). Also, there are laws to regulate the effect of pollutants on soil organisms [12].

6. The use of sophisticated plants to test soil pollution

Plant roots are one of the most active biological surfaces. Several international methods have
been tried to measure the toxicity of pollutants on advanced plants. These methods are (ISO
1129 & OECD 208). Commonly, in these two methods, the degree of pollutant influence is
measured by the delay in root growth and inhibition of the germination process and the
emergence of seedlings above the ground. Testing soil pollution take into account the use of
crops characterized by rapid growth such as beans, grapes, lettuce, turnip, wheat, radish, etc.
There are cultivars of the genus Brassica sp that complete their life cycle in 35 days. It allows
the researcher to calculate the speed of germination, growth velocity, seed yield, and degree of
seed fertility [12].
7.Preventive methods to protect soil and agricultural natural resources
The organic farming method is one of the most important technological methods that have
recently starts to spread in many countries of the world, especially in the developed countries.
It aims to protect soil and agricultural production from the dangers of pollution arising from the
use of chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides). Organic agriculture is a production system that
avoids the use of chemicals in agriculture in order to produce safe and clean food for humans
and to preserve the natural properties of the soil and not to degrade it. It also preserves the
surrounding environment [9].Organic agriculture has three different effects, which are the
following [9]:
The first effect: It increases the productivity and obtained agricultural production (the supply
side).
The second effect: It obtains an agricultural product that is accepted by the individual consumer
(the demand side).
The third effect: It improves the surrounding environment (agricultural soil and its
components) and preserve it from degradation and decrease.
In fact, the method of organic farming depends on two main axes:
The first: Agriculture should be far from chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This can be achieved
by the use of biological and organic fertilizers instead. This procedure is done by relying on the
crop rotation system (agricultural cycle), using crop residues and animal waste on the other
hand, and resorting to leguminous crops and organic waste for the farm. These organic and
biological fertilizers improve the chemical, natural and biological properties of soil, which is
reflected in the productivity and production of crops. It also increases the ability of agricultural
soil to resist some plant diseases inherent in it. In addition, it reduces the costs associated with
producing agricultural crops by reducing the quantities of chemical fertilizers and pesticides[9].
The second: Organic agriculture is represented in the safe disposal of pathological pests by
using safe control methods that eliminate pests with high efficiency. At the same time, it does
not have side effects, whether on humans, animals, plants and agricultural soil [9]. This clause
depends on many methods. The following methods are the most prominent [9]:
1-The use of biological pesticides that are based on bacteria, fungi, and viruses (microbial
pesticides).
2-The introduction of genetic engineering technology in the field of pest control by producing
varieties or plant strains that have the ability to resist various pests and diseases.
3- The use of dietary inhibitors is essential. They are compounds that do not kill the insect or
repel it, but rather prevent it from feeding and this leads to its death. At the same time, it has no
side effects.
4-The use of attractive resources and insect repellents, and attractive materials (pheromones)
crops.
5-Natural treatment for pests should be used in combating harmful insects without the support
of insecticides.
Organic farming is an ancient method that the ancient Egyptians used for thousands of years.
They used municipal fertilizers in their cultivation. Nevertheless, with the growth of population
and the increase in humanitarian needs, food gaps have emerged for many agricultural
commodities and products. Man was forced to use chemical fertilizers in plant excessive
human use of these means in a random and uncontrolled manner has led to expose the
components and elements of the surrounding environment (water, air, land) to pollution.
This incited many international organizations, led by the World Health Organization and the
Food and Agriculture Organization, to warn and demand to limit the use of these industrial
compounds and to return to nature to produce and provide safe and clean food for the
community's population [9].
After the establishment of the World Trade Organization (GATT), the method of organic
agriculture has recently become an urgent necessity for all countries of the world, especially
developing ones, It leads to the use of the comprehensive quality management system (ISO) in
controlling the movement of international exports and imports and comparing them to the
maximum limits globally permissible. This made a clean agriculture free of chemicals and basis
for trade exchange among countries of the world. This led the markets to reject agricultural product
that are treated by chemicals [9], as a way of prohibiting deforestation, encouraging afforestation,
and organizing the establishment of educational programs in the fields of agriculture, and the
appropriate and safe disposal of nuclear waste [13].
Due to the negative impact of hydrocarbon pollution of soils, global interest has been noted to
continue developing methods for treating these soils and making use of them. The different
treatment methods aim to reduce pollution rates to the limits that do not pose a threat to human
health and the environment. Depending on the use of the site, treatment methods are divided
into two types: in-site and off-site methods. These methods include landfill, fume traction,
biological treatment, soil tillage, natural decay, heat treatment, and soil washing.

As a last resort, new areas for storage of hazardous waste should be investigated such as deep
well injection and more secure landfills. Burying the waste in locations situated away from
residential
areas is the simplest and most widely used technique of solid waste management. Environmental
and
aesthetic considerations must be taken into consideration before selecting the dumping sites.
Incineration of other wastes is expensive and leaves a huge residue and adds to air pollution.
Pyrolysis is a process of combustion in absence of oxygen or the material burnt under controlled
atmosphere of oxygen. It is an alternative to incineration. The gas and liquid thus obtained can be
used
as fuels. Pyrolysis of carbonaceous wastes like firewood, coconut, palm waste, corn combs,
cashew
shell, rice husk paddy straw and saw dust, yields charcoal along with products like tar, methyl
alcohol,
acetic acid, acetone and a fuel gas.
Anaerobic/aerobic decomposition of biodegradable municipal and domestic waste is also being
done
and gives organic manure. Cow dung which releases methane into the atmosphere, should be
processed further in 'gobar gas plants' to produce 'gobar gas' and good manure.
Natural land pollution:
Land pollution occurs massively during earth quakes, land slides, hurricanes and floods. All cause
hard
to clean mess, which is expensive to clean , and may sometimes take years to restore the affected
area.
These kinds of natural disasters are not only a problem in that they cause pollution but also because
Soil Erosion occurs when the weathered soil particles are dislodged and carried away by wind
or water. Deforestation, agricultural development, temperature extremes, precipitation including
acid
rain, and human activities contribute to this erosion. Humans speed up this process by construction,
mining, cutting of timber, over cropping and overgrazing. It results in floods and cause soil erosion.
Forests and grasslands are an excellent binding material that keeps the soil intact and healthy.
They support many habitats and ecosystems, which provide innumerable feeding pathways or food
chains to all species. Their loss would threaten food chains and the survival of many species.
During
the past few years quite a lot of vast green land has been converted into deserts. The precious rain
forest habitats of South America, tropical Asia and Africa are coming under pressure of population
growth and development (especially timber, construction and agriculture). Many scientists believe
that
a wealth of medicinal substances including a cure for cancer and aids, lie in these forests.
is slowly destroying the most productive flora and fauna areas in the world, which also form vast
tracts
Soil Erosion occurs when the weathered soil particles are dislodged and carried away by wind
or water. Deforestation, agricultural development, temperature extremes, precipitation including
acid
rain, and human activities contribute to this erosion. Humans speed up this process by construction,
mining, cutting of timber, over cropping and overgrazing. It results in floods and cause soil erosion.
Forests and grasslands are an excellent binding material that keeps the soil intact and healthy.
They support many habitats and ecosystems, which provide innumerable feeding pathways or food
chains to all species. Their loss would threaten food chains and the survival of many species.
During
the past few years quite a lot of vast green land has been converted into deserts. The precious rain
forest habitats of South America, tropical Asia and Africa are coming under pressure of population
growth and development (especially timber, construction and agriculture). Many scientists believe
that
a wealth of medicinal substances including a cure for cancer and aids, lie in these forests.
Deforestation
is slowly destroying the most productive flora and fauna areas in the world, which also form vast
tracts
of a very valuable sink for CO2
.
Indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides
Plants on which we depend for food are under attack from insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses,
rodents and other animals, and must compete with weeds for nutrients. To kill unwanted
populations
living in or on their crops, farmers use pesticides. The first widespread insecticide use began at the
end
of World War II and included DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and gammaxene. Insects
soon
became resistant to DDT and as the chemical did not decompose readily, it persisted in the
environment. Since it was soluble in fat rather than water, it biomagnified up the food chain and
disrupted calcium metabolism in birds, causing eggshells to be thin and fragile. As a result, large
birds
of prey such as the brown pelican, ospreys, falcons and eagles became endangered. DDT has been
now
been banned in most western countries. Ironically many of them including USA, still produce DDT
for
export to other developing nations whose needs outweigh the problems caused by it.
The most important pesticides are DDT, BHC, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates,
aldrin, malathion, dieldrin, furodan, etc. The remnants of such pesticides used on pests may get
adsorbed by the soil particles, which then contaminate root crops grown in that soil. The
consumption
of such crops causes the pesticides remnants to enter human biological systems, affecting them
adversely.
An infamous herbicide used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War called Agent Orange (dioxin),
was eventually banned. Soldiers' cancer cases, skin conditions and infertility have been linked to
exposure to Agent Orange.
Pesticides not only bring toxic effect on human and animals but also decrease the fertility of the
soil. Some of the pesticides are quite stable and their bio- degradation may take weeks and even
months.
Pesticide problems such as resistance, resurgence, and heath effects have caused scientists to
seek alternatives. Pheromones and hormones to attract or repel insects and using natural enemies
or
sterilization by radiation have been suggested
Chlorinated Organic toxins
• The harmful effect of DDT and other chemicals led to the introduction
of less persistent organic and more-biodegradable substance such as
carbamates and organophosphates. However, these chemicals act as
harmful toxins for nerves, hence they are more dangerous to humans.
It led to pesticides related to the death of field workers in some
agricultural fields.
• Herbicides
• Slowly, the industries began production of herbicides like sodium
arsenite (Na3AsO3
), sodium chlorate (NaClO3
), etc. Herbicides can
decompose in a span of few months. However, even they affect the
environment and are not environmental friendly. Even though they are
not as harmful as organo-chlorides but most of the herbicides are toxic.
They are known to cause birth defects.
• Furthermore, research suggests that spraying herbicides causes more
insect attack and diseases of plants in comparison to manual weeding.
One thing to note here is all the above factors occupy just a small portion
of the causes. Majority of the causes is related to manufacturing
activities in chemical and industrial processes that are released in nature
or environment

Inorganic Fertilizers
• Excessive use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers leads to acidification of soil and
contaminate the agricultural soil. Also known as agrochemical pollution.
• Industrial Pollution
• The incorrect way of chemical waste disposal from different types of industries
can cause contamination of soil. Human activities like this have led to
acidification of soil and contamination due to the disposal of industrial waste,
heavy metals, toxic chemicals, dumping oil and fuel, etc.
• Inferior Irrigation Practices
• Poor irrigation methods increase the soil salinity. Moreover, excess watering,
improper maintenance of canals and irrigation channels, lack of crop rotation
and intensive farming gradually decreases the quality of soil over time and
cause degradation of land.

. Conclusion
The Article has attained a number of important results. The following are the most prominent:
1- Soil pollution occurs as a result of the entry of foreign bodies that change its chemical
and physical composition and render it unfit for agriculture.
2- The problem of soil pollution is characterized by the fact that it lasts for a long time until
it is addressed or identified.
3- Soil pollutants are multiplied and varied. The most important of them is the radioactive
pollution that occurs as a result of nuclear radiation such as uranium and others. In addition,
smelting minerals introduce many pollutants to the soil.
4- One of the most important soil pollutants is throwing industrial and household waste
into it, since most factories are built near residential and agricultural areas and rivers.
5- Desertification and overgrazing are among the most important pollutants of the soil, as
it exposes it to the loss of its fertility and natural vegetation cover. Soil is exposed to erosion
and then turns into sandy desert areas. Deforestation contributes to exposing the soil to an
increase in water erosion and a loss of its fertility.
6- The most important source of agricultural soil pollution is the use of pesticides in large
quantities. Pesticides contain large amounts of chemical toxin that contribute to soil loss and
drought. Some of them contain arsenic, which causes the pollution of agricultural crops and
eliminates the role of beneficial insects.
7- The use of large quantities of chemical fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphate and
potassium leads to the pollution of agricultural crops and the formation of a porous layer that
causes the inability of plant roots to absorb important nutrients.
8- The use of untreated wastewater contributes to soil pollution through the accumulation
of silt, and the availability of insects and harmful water weeds.
9 - One of the most prominent preventive methods to protect the soil and agricultural lands is
the adoption of organic and biological agriculture, and biological pesticides such as beneficial
bacteria and fungi beneficial.

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