SOIL POLLUTION |. Introduction : The soil is the skin of the earth & is the solid part of earth’s surface. It is the foundation of ecosystems, provides a foothold for growth of plants, provides essential nutrients to forests and crops which, in turn, produce food. Soil filters the rainwater making it clean and safe to drink from groundwater and regulates discharge of excess rainwater, reducing flooding. It provides the shelter for many animals. It regulates earth's temperature and many greenhouse -gases- So, where soil is of many such importances, its pollution i is gertainly: a matter of grave concern. es Unfortunately: ‘owadays, itis fon injured orp luted. both by human L : and nature itself and some of these ulcers are incurable: ~. Soil pollution isa global threat, particularly’serious in regions like.” “Europe, Eurasia, Asia and North Africa, as indicated by the Food and shone Organization of the. United eat (FAQ).SOIL POLLUTION Definition : V Soil pollution is one type of pollution involving land degradation or alteration in the physical, chemical & biological characteristics of natural soil environment due to presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals through industrial activities, agricultural chemicals or improper disposal of wastes or other causes. Itis also called Soil contamination or land pollution. Il. Types of soil pollution : FAO distinguishes between two types of soil pollution: 1) Specific pollution: It occurs in ‘localized small areas with sources or causes being easy to identify or pinpoint. This is found in sites like old factories, 2» roadways, illegal dumping grounds, sewage Hie itteal facilities etc. 2) Widespread pollution: Teak It cccurs in extensive or larger areas with multiple; often difficult to- » trace sources or causes, like those from air-ground-water ~. systems. Here, Air; water, and soil can transport pollutants, . el ee to the eae of contamination. ._ cfop fields brings various soluble satts in higher quantity, which SOIL POLLUTION IV. Causes or Sources of Soil Pollution : Soil pollutants can be present in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms. Soil pollution can be caused by many factors, as follows : 1. Industrial activities: Industrial facilities release chemicals into the soil in liquid and solid form. These chemicals can raise the soil’s acidity & impact the soil fauna & vegetation. Industrial wastes discharged in the form of flyash. rubbish, pulp etc. also cause land pollution. With advancement of industry & technology, such pollutants from industries are increasing in an and creating, more & more problems. a 2. Agricultural, practices : 9 Measures adopted for intensive farming have a an increasing effect in changing the basic characters of our Jand. Water used for irrigation in. accumulate on soil surface leading-+to increase in alkalinity. Use of - chemical fertilizers in huge quantity add chemical soil pollutants in land as compounds of nitrate, phosphate, sulphate etc.SOIL POLLUTION | Pesticides & herbicides used for farm practices are mostly non-degradable & do not break down into harmless materials for many years. They remain in soil for a longer period. Heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, As etc)-containing pesticides, chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT, eldrin etc) get accumulated in soil & cause land polllution. 3. Improper waste disposal: oe Improperly disposed household garbage such. as organic-matter,—_— plastics etc can break down and release harmful substa ices into the Soll, which can slowly seep into the soil.” j x 4. Acid rain: ; ‘Air pollution rand consequently acid rain leads’ to precipitation of. *.H,SO, & HNO3"on land surface. This lowers the soil-pH, alters the ‘soil chemistry, impact the nutrient availability to the. vegetation and, “potentially releases.toxic substances. :SOIL POLLUTION 5. Deforestation : Deforestation & soil pollution are interlinked. Deforestation leads to soil erosion because trees' roots bind the soil particles & so their removal loosen the particles leading to landslides or sloped land. This, in turn, leads to increased runoff & reduced percolation of water. Forests contribute to soil health by adding organic matter and essential nutrients. Deforestation disrupts this cycle, leads to” nutrient depletion & reduces soit fertility—--. ———- Tree shade reduces surface soil temperature, which in turn reduces _ 2 evaporation, thereby promoting retentation of water ir in-soil, Deforestation. disturbs this function. yb orts 6. Mining activities: ~ > Mining processes, such as extraction, processing &waste - _ disposal contribute to soil pollution by chemicals & heavy - metals. Such contaminants can infiltrate the soil, affecting its =< quality and potentially harming ecosystems and human health.~ 40. Radioactive materials : SOIL POLLUTION 7. Accidental oil spills: Accidental oil spills due to human erratic activity on agricultural land or grasslands are also one cause of soil pollution. 8. Foundry activities : Foundry activities, such as metal casting & processing, can significantly contribute to soil pollution, primarily through the dispersion of metallic contaminants like heavy metals (Zn, ni etc), which can enter the soil during various stagés of foundry oper: improper disposal can lead to soil contamination._ 9. Construction activities : E . Construction: activities release a huge ainoiint of hazardous & non-’ hazardous construction & demolition wastes, which negatively impact poe environment through contamination of soil & water, Radioactive materials from atmospheric fallout in nuclear explosions, radioactive materials emitted by: nuclear implosions & radioactive © ~_wastes from laboratories, hospitals, ed & power. Plante aD “ ~ contribute to soil pollution. *SOIL POLLUTION V.. Effects of Soil Pollution : 1. Human health : When people are exposed to soil pallution through contaminated food, water, or dust, or by direct skin contact, it poses risks to human health, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders etc. | 2. Food production & quality: - . Soil pollution can reduce crop yield and make | food unsafe to- eat . 3. Ecosystems: -). - Bork Pe ie ~ Soil pollution é: ¢an‘harm the diversity-of. ‘soil organisms and plant species. Non-degradable pesticides retained in the soil increase the » resistance power of many insects, while eliminate some beneficial: organisms, thus creating ecological i imbalance. 4, Water ‘pollution : = When soil pollutants reach our: rwat resources with run off during heavy rain ~ >, & flood, , these pollute water, Thesea are-also responsible fi for ground water - pollution” see :SOIL POLLUTION 5. Land degradation : : When soil is contaminated by chemicals, pesticides, weedicides, and other man- made compounds, its natural composition is changed, fertility is lowered and thus quality is degraded exerting a negative impact. It converts the soil inhabitable for micro- and macroorganisms living in the soil. 6.. Soil formation : 7 Various chemical pollutants inhibit the process of soil formation. 7. Effect from mining activities : Oil spill eran tae soil fe absorbing water 1 & then, plants 4 are killed: Oil at can decrease the amount of. ‘Phosphorus i in soil and i increase the:SOIL POLLUTION VI. Control of Soil Pollution : 1. Proper solid waste disposa Controlled dumping is a better way to dispose of solid waste than open dumping. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Hazardous Wastes, Industrial Wastes, Agricultural Wastes, Bio-medical Wastes management can be done by adopting proper methods. Industrial wastes can be rendered less hazardous by treating physically, chemically and biologically. The insoluble biodegradable materials can be degraded under controlled conditions. Acidic.and alkaline wastes should be first neutralized before being disposed: Areas for storage-of hazardous——— waste are to investigated such as deep well injection (for liquid waste) ~ and more secure landfills to protect our soil from damaging effect. Applying bio-fertilizers and manures like cowdung can reduce chemical ° » fertilizers & pesticide use, and thereby minimize soil pollution. In gardens & fields, we can make-use of organic fertilizers and biopesticides; because firstly they are usually made of natural substances, secondly are bio- degradable and thirdly do little harm to the natural balance in the-soil:: Bad management practices like poorly managed animal feeding ; overgrazing, ploughing, and improper, excessive use” ers & pesticides are to addressed. ’SOIL POLLUTION 3. Reusing, recycling and recovery of materials : Materials such as glass containers, plastic bags, paper, cloth etc. can be reused at domestic levels rather than being disposed, thus reducing solid waste pollution. This decreases the volume of refuse and helps in the conservation of natural resources. For example, the recovery of one tone of paper cans save 17 trees. The 3 R’s principle: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle help in minimization of waste production. 4, Forestry practices : Deforestation or the cutting down of trees are the main cause of soil erosion” & loss of fertility, which leads to soil pollution. So, Reforestation is‘an effective solution to prevent it. Restoring forest and grass cover as well as- planting trees‘on barren slopes is the best way t to check wastelands, soil . erosion . and floods, 5. Mining practices : - . Mining can create large amounts Of waste that contain particularly heavy metals, which contaminate soil. Preperly managing mining waste can-help pbrevent or minimize soil pollution. This includes enacting legislation to 7 ensure soil governance ¢ and enforcing mechanisms to prevent pollution.SOIL POLLUTION 6. Legislation : There is no specific legislation which deals in regulation of land pollution or which gives it a specific scope or shape. Land pollution is, in general, touched upon by The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which comprehensively deals with all aspects of environmental problems covering soil pollution.