SOIL POLLUTION

Types, sources ,effects and control measures

 Soil pollution
Definition
The contamination of soil by human and natural
activities which may cause harmful effects on
living beings.
 Composition of soil
Mineral matter (inorganic) 45%
Organic matter-5%
Soil water -25%
Soil air-25%
 Types
1. Industrial wastes
2.Urban wastes (both commercial and domestic
wastes)
3.Agricultural practices (huge quantities of fertilizers,
pesticides, herbicides, agro-technology)
4.Radioactive pollutants (produced by nuclear
testing laborites, industries)
5.Biological agents (human, animal and birds
waste(excreta)
 Causes or sources
Industrial wastes, such as harmful gases and
chemicals, agricultural pesticides, fertilizers and
insecticides are the most important causes of soil
pollution.
Ignorance towards soil management and related
systems.
Unfavorable and harmful irrigation practices.
Improper septic system and management and
maintenance of the same.
 Leakages from sanitary sewage.
Acid rains, when fumes released from industries get
mixed with rains.
Fuel leakages from automobiles, that get washed
away due to rain and seep into the nearby soil.
Unhealthy waste management techniques, which are
characterized by release of sewage into the large
dumping grounds and nearby streams or rivers.
 Effects
Decrease in soil fertility and therefore decrease in
the soil yield.
Plants also would not thrive in such a soil, which
would further result in soil erosion.
Disturbance in the balance of flora and fauna
residing in the soil.
Increase in salinity of the soil, which therefore makes
it unfit for vegetation, thus making it useless and
barren.
 Generally crops cannot grow and flourish in a
polluted soil. Yet if some crops manage to grow, then
those would be poisonous enough to cause serious
health problems in people consuming them.
Foul smell due to industrial chemicals and gases
might result in headaches, fatigue, nausea, etc. in
many people.
Soil pollutants would bring in alteration in the soil
structure, which would lead to death of many
essential organisms in it.
This would also affect the larger predators and
compel them to move to other places, once they lose
their food supply.
Control measures of soil pollution
1.Control of soil erosion-controlled by a variety of
forestry and farm practices.
Eg: planted trees
2.Proper dumping of unwanted materials- controlled
tipping is followed for solid waste method.
3.Production of natural fertilizers-chemical fertilizers
should be avoided.
Eg: manure and biogas.
4. Proper hygienic condition- people trained reg. the
sanitary habits.
Eg: lavatories should be equipped with quick and
effective disposal methods.
5.Public awareness-informal and formal public
awareness programs
Eg: Mass media, educational institutions.etc
6.Recycling and reuse of wastes-minimize soil pollution
Eg: industrial wastes should be properly treated.
7.Ban on toxic chemicals-imposed on chemicals and
pesticides like DDT,BHC etc.