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The causes of soil pollution increase the concentration of contaminants in the soil.
- There are some natural concentrations of contaminants in the soil but they should not exceed that level.
- Contaminants such as metals, salts, inorganic ions, etc.
- Soil plays an important role in the growth of plants.
- Soil pollution can have severe consequences that can even lead to detrimental plant growth.
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Key terms: Soil pollution, concentration, contamination, natural, inorganic ions, Xenobiotics
What is Soil Pollution?
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Soil pollution is the contamination in the soil that can deteriorate the growth of plants. The soil contamination is caused due to the presence of chemicals and other alterations in natural soil.
- With the increase in industrialization, there is a higher chance of soil contamination.
- Some of the most common chemicals that lead to soil pollution are petroleum, hydrocarbons, etc.
- Xenobiotics are substances that are not naturally found in nature but are synthesised by human beings. Some of these xenobiotics are carcinogenic.
Read More: Effects of air pollution on environment
Causes of soil pollution
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The causes of soil pollution are as follows:
Industrial pollutants
Industrial pollutants are the most common causes of soil pollution. With the increase in industrialization, the chances of soil pollution increase. The chemicals are released from the industries and spread in the soil without any treatment.
- Industrial activities emit large amounts of arsenic fluoride and sulphur dioxide.
- This can lead to soil acidity and thus can impact the vegetation.
- There can be accidental spillage during transport and storage and soil pollution.
- Mining industries also play an important role in soil pollution, this involves processing the raw material, and heavy metals, and also it can emit toxic substances.
- Ore smelting is also a common source of contamination in the area that is developed.
- The coal ash generated in the process has hazardous waste for the soil.
Agricultural Activities
The widely increased agricultural activity can be a source of soil pollution.
- The use of various fertilisers in agriculture to improve the yield of vegetation can run off and cause soil pollution.
- Soil erosion is also an important cause of soil pollution. Soil erosion can be blamed for the rapid deforestation due to urbanisation.
- Pesticides are the substances that are used by farmers to protect their plants from pests.
- These can be chemical substances, antimicrobials, disinfectants, and also biological agents.
- Although their uses protect the plants, they can mix with the soil to reduce their fertility and contaminate the soil.
Construction activities
Construction activities can cause soil contamination.
- The toxic emissions from the vehicle and if there is dumpage of chemical waste without treatment.
- The waste developed through construction is even stored in landfills.
- They can further leak into groundwater and also generate polluted vapors.
- This is the reason, construction sites are considered as a trigger for soil pollution.
- Any chemical substance that reaches the construction site will contaminate the soil.
Also Read: Air pollution control
Measures taken to prevent soil pollution
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Several measures can be taken to prevent soil pollution. Some of them are as mentioned below:
- Transportation of polluted soil to a location that is uninhabited. This process is also called excavation.
- The usage of microorganisms and plants is known as bioremediation so that the soil can be decontaminated.
- The use of fungi (mycoremediation) can be used for the accumulation of heavy metal contaminants.
- Cleanup or environmental remediation needs to be done that can help in the analyses of soil chemicals.
- Soil aeration can also be done at the site of contamination.
Also Read: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Effect on human health
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The contamination in the soil can affect human health in both direct and indirect ways. The contamination can come in contact with the human directly. They can also get vaporised and then inhaled, they can also infiltrate into the groundwaters that can reach people at their homes through pipelines. Some of the other exposures to soil contamination can take place through:
- Ingestion of dust or soil directly
- Skin contact with the soil
- Vapours that contain soil contamination.
- Inhaling the clouds of dust.
The consequences of this exposure can cause a threat to humans and will depend on the type of pollutant. Pesticides and heavy metals can lead to cardiovascular diseases, and inflammations and change the biological clock.
Chronic exposure to benzene can lead to leukaemia. There can be damage in the kidney on exposure to mercury and cyclodienes.
Also Read:
| Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ecology and Environment | Soil Erosion | Difference between Deforestation and Afforestation |
| Reducing Agent (Reductant) | Pollution | Critical temperature |
Things to Remember
- Soil contamination is the increase in the concentration of chemicals than the normal level.
- Xenobiotics are substances that are not naturally found in nature but are synthesised by human beings
- Soil contamination can cause detrimental effects on the plant growth.
- Soil contamination can occur to humans by direct contact or through inhaling the vapours generated.
- Chronic exposure to benzene can lead to leukaemia or damage the kidney.
- The soil contamination can be due to industrial waste, agricultural waste, etc.
- It can cause severe effects on human health depending on the exposure.
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Sample Questions
Ques: What are the effects of soil pollution on the ecosystem? (3 marks)
Ans: The ecosystem can deteriorate to a large level on exposure to soil contamination. Due to the presence of hazardous chemicals in the soil, the entire chemistry of the soil can be changed. This will lead to the alteration in the metabolism and living of the microorganism that inhabits that area. This will further lead to the effect on the food chain. The changes in the soil can affect the growth of the plants in that region leading to a decrease in the yield and reducing the overall fertility of the soil.
Ques: What is biomagnification? (3 marks)
Ans: Biomagnification is the concentration of the toxins in the organism that are above in the food chain. In this when the animals on the lower level of the food chain ingest the chemical will further concentrate as it grows higher. The increase in the concentration of chemicals is due to their persistence as they cannot be broken. The concentration will increase as they move up the trophic level. Here is no scope for internal degradation or excretion of these chemicals.
Ques: What is soil pollination? How can they be prevented? (3 marks)
Ans: Soil pollution is the contamination in the soil when there is an increase in the concentration of chemicals than the natural level. They can be caused both due to natural and human methods. Some of the major reasons are industrial and agricultural waste. In order to prevent soil pollution following steps can be done:
- Evacuation of the soil from the site to the area that is not inhabited.
- Mycoremediation can also reduce the concentration of chemicals in the soil.
- Soil aeration can also be done at the site of contamination.
- Bioremediation can be done to decontaminate the soil.
Ques: How can industrial waste cause soil pollution? (3 marks)
Ans: Industrial waste when left in the soil without treatment is one of the key sources of contamination.
- Arsenic fluoride and sulphur dioxide are released by the waste in high amounts that can increase the acidity of the soil and thus contaminate it.
- Ore smelting is another cause. The coal ashes generated contain heavy metals and hazardous chemicals that can decrease the growth of plants.
- Industrial accidents are also a major source of contamination of both toxic substances and radiation.
- It can lead to catastrophic explosions.
Ques: Explain how acid rain, landfills, and microplastic can be a source of soil pollution. (3 marks)
Ans: Acid rain: Acid rain has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions. This water when entered into the soil can lead to changes in the chemistry of the soil thus disturbing the acidity of the soil. This can further deteriorate the vegetation of that area. The microorganisms are also highly affected by acid rain.
Landfills: Landfills are used when industrial wastes or garbage are stored in the lands. The water can percolate through these landfills into the soil, and thus contaminate the soil. This is called leachate and if this reaches the soil the concentration of various chemicals increases.
MIcroplastic: Microplastic as the name suggests is very minute and is less than 5 mm in length. Plastic does not decompose for many many years. Thus can cause soil contamination.
Ques: What is green chemistry? (3 marks)
Ans: Green chemistry focuses on reducing the pollution by eliminating the chemicals from the sources itself. They did it in two ways, first by reusing the chemicals and by recovering it. Secondly by degrading to innocuous products. Some of the principles of green chemistry are:
- Maximise the atom energy
- Design safer chemicals
- Increasing the energy efficiency
- Use of renewable feedstock
- Prevent pollution by analysing in real time.
Ques: What is negative soil pollution? (1 mark)
Ans: Due to the overuse and the erosion of soil, the productivity of soil decreases with time. This is called negative soil pollution. Overgrazing and industrial development are also the causes of negative soil pollution. The erosion of soil can be caused by water and air.
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