Soil Pollution - Stellar IAS Academy

SOIL POLLUTION

SOIL is a thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the earth’s rocky surface. Soil pollution is defined as the addition of substances to the soil, which adversely affect physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and reduces its productivity.
It is build-up of persistent toxic compounds, chemical, salts, radioactive materials, or disease causing agents in soil which have adverse effects on plant growth, human and animal health.
A soil pollutant is any factor which deteriorates the quality, texture and mineral content of the soil or which disturbs the ecological balance of the organisms in the soil.

Cause

Sources

1. Industrial waste

Industrial waste includes chemicals such as mercury, lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, cyanides, thiocyanates, chromates, acids, alkalies, organic substances etc.

2. Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals that include insecticides, fungicides, algicides, rodenticides, weedicides sprayed in order to improve productivity of agriculture, forestry and horticulture.

3.Fertilizers and manures

Chemical fertilizers are added to the soil for increasing crop yield. Excessive use of chemical fertilizer reduces the population of soil borne organism and the crumb structure of the soil, productivity of the and increases salt content of the soil.

4. Discarded materials

It includes concrete, asphalt, rungs, leather, cans, plastics, glass, discarded food, paper and carcasses.

5. Radioactive wastes

Radioactive elements from mining and nuclear power plants, find their way into water and then into the soil.

6. Other pollutants

Many air pollutants (acid rain) and water pollutants ultimately become part of the soil and the soil also receives some toxic chemicals during weathering of certain rocks.

Types of soil pollution

1. Agricultural soil pollution

2. Pollution due to industrial effluents and soil wastes

3. Pollution due to urban activities

Effect of soil pollution on

1 Agriculture