Soil Pollution
Soil is essential for all living organisms. It is a store house of minerals, reservoir of water and a conserver of soil fertility. The plant that feed us grow in soil and keeping it healthy is essential for maintaining beautiful planate. However, like all other forms of nature, soil also suffers from pollution. The pollution of soil is common thing in these days, and it happens due to the presence of manmade element. So many causes are responsible for soil pollution.
The main reason of the soil pollution is due to the presence of manmade waste. The wastes produced by nature itself like dead plants, dead animals and rotten fruits and vegetables only add to the fertility of soil. If our waste products are full of chemicals they lead to soil pollution.
Soil pollution may be defined as the presence in the soil of one or more contaminants in such quantities. Mature soil provides the basis for the development of some of the major ecosystems of the world which run the great productivity cycles. Man utilizes the soil in large scale agricultural units to provide food for the growing population. With the increase of population there is increasing demand of food. For more food production more fertilizers are to be used. To save plants from pests, rats and parasitic fungi different pesticides e.g. DDT are being used. These substances get mixed with soil and cause soil pollution.
Read Also: What is Air Pollution? Sources, Effects, Control measures
Sources
The various sources for soil pollution are given below. Of these sources, construction sites are the important source of soil pollution in the urban areas. In general any chemical handled at construction sites may pollute the soil.
Most industries are depending on extracting minerals from the earth. Whether it is iron ore or coal, the by products are contaminated and they are not disposed to in a manner which can be considered safe.
In agriculture chemical utilization has gone up tremendously since technology provide as with modern pesticides and fertilizers. They are fully chemicals that are not produced in nature and cannot be broken down by it. As a result they go down in the soil mix with water and slowly reduce the fertility of the soil.
Waste disposal is also a major source of soil pollution. While industrial waste is sure to cause contamination, there is another way in which we are adding to the pollution. Human being produces certain amount of waste product by way of urine and faces. It moves into the sewer the system, there is also a large amount that is dumped directly into landfills in the form of diapers. Our body is full of toxins and chemicals which are now seeping into the land and causing pollution of soil.
Oil leaks at the time of storage and transport of chemicals. This can be mostly seen at most of the fuel station. The chemical present in the fuel deteriorates the quality of soil.
Acid rain is the source of soil pollution. When pollutants present in the air mixes up with the rain fall back on the ground. Then the soil becomes impure,
Quality Parameters
It is impossible to select universal soil parameters for sustainable soil. A significant role in the selection of parameters is played by their variability in time, related ta parameter stability. The biological soil parameters are not as plentiful as it is in the case of physical and chemical parameters. There are a great number of enzymes itn soil, depending on the diversity of soil organisms and the conditions of organic substances transformation. They are important in catalyzing several important reactions necessary for the life processes of micro-organisms in the soils and the stabilization of soil structure, the decomposition of organic wastes, organic matter formation and nutrient cycling. Soil quality cannot be judged directly, it must be determined from the changes of its parameters. Soil quality is significantly affected by physical, chemical, biological and biochemical properties sensitive to change in environment and land management. Soil parameter is usually determined only in relation to specific topsoil. Certain physical and chemical parameters in subsod cannot be neglected, since they guarantee soil functions.
Effects
Soil pollution may affect all of us as well as plants and animals. However, children are usually more susceptible. Because kids are more sensitive to various pollutants and they may come in close contact with soil.
1. Growth of plants- The ecological balance of any system gets affected due to the widespread contamination of the soil. Most of the plants are unable to adapt when the chemistry of the soil changes. Fungi and bacteria are found in the soil that binds it together being to decline.
2. Soil fertility decrease- The toxic chemical present in the soil can decrease the soil fertility. The contaminated soil is than use in the production of vegetables which lacks quality nutrients and may contain some poisonous substance.
3. Toxic dust- The emission of toxic and foul gaseous from landfills pollutes the environment and cause serious effect on the health.
4. Soil contamination-Contaminated soil affects the health of plants that depend on them.
5. Vietnam war- The dioxin, used during the Vietnam War, is considered to be the most toxic component of the herbicide used to defoliate large areas in war zone. Dioxin is extremely toxic to mammals, causing liver disorders, never damage and even it is carcinogen. It also damages the ecosystem.
Control Measures
Soil pollution is the reduction in the productivity of soil due to the presence of soil pollutants. Soil pollutants have an adverse effect on the physical chemical and biological properties of the soil and reduce its productivity. Pesticides, fertilizers, organic manure, chemicals, clothes leather goods, paper, bottle, plastic bottle and carcasses all are contribute the cause of soil pollution. Many factors which control the soil pollution are given below.
1. Dumping of unwanted materials- The excess wastes by man and animals pose a disposal problem. Open dumping is the most commonly practiced technique. For controlled tipping is followed for solid waste disposal. The surface so obtained is used for housing and sports field.
2. Recycling of waste materials- For minimize the soil pollution, the waste like paper, plastic, metals, glass, petroleum products and industrial effluents etc should be recycled and reused.
3. Use of natural fertilizers- Bio-pesticides should be used in place of toxic chemical pesticides. Organic fertilizers should be used in place of synthesized chemical fertilizers. Organic waste in animal dung may be used to prepare compost manure instead of throwing them wastefully and polluting the soil.
4. Ban of toxic chemicals- Ban should be imposed on chemicals and pesticides like DDT, BHC etc which are fatal to plants and animals. Nuclear explosions and improper disposal of radioactive wastes should be banned.
5. Public awareness- Public awareness programs should be organized imparted to educate people for health hazards by environmental education. Ex. Educational institute and mass media.
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