SOIL POLLUTION

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 presence of toxic chemicals
(pollutants or contaminants) in soil, in high enough
concentrations to pose a risk to human health and/or the
ecosystem.
 SOIL POLLUTION
 In the case of contaminants which occur naturally in soil, even
when their levels are not high enough to pose a risk, soil
pollution is still said to occur if the levels of the contaminants
in soil exceed the levels that should naturally be present.
 The main reason why the soil becomes contaminated is due to
the presence of manmade waste. The waste produced from
nature itself such as dead plants, carcasses of animals and
rotten fruits and vegetables only adds to the fertility of the soil.
However, our waste products are full of chemicals that are not
originally found in nature and lead to soil pollution.
Main Causes of Soil Pollution

1: Industrial Activity
Industrial activity has been the biggest contributor to the problem in
the last century, especially since the amount of mining and
manufacturing has increased. Most industries are dependent on
extracting minerals from the Earth. Whether it is iron ore or coal,
the by products are contaminated and they are not disposed off in a
manner that can be considered safe. As a result, the industrial waste
lingers in the soil surface for a long time and makes it unsuitable for
use.
Main Causes of Soil Pollution

2: Agricultural Activities
Chemical utilization has gone up tremendously since technology
provided us with modern pesticides and fertilizers. They are full of
chemicals that are not produced in nature and cannot be broken
down by it. As a result, they seep into the ground after they mix
with water and slowly reduce the fertility of the soil. Other
chemicals damage the composition of the soil and make it easier to
erode by water and air. Plants absorb many of these pesticides and
when they decompose, they cause soil pollution since they become
a part of the land.
Main Causes of Soil Pollution
3: Waste Disposal
Finally, a growing cause for concern is how we dispose of our
waste. While industrial waste is sure to cause contamination, there
is another way in which we are adding to the pollution. Every
human produces a certain amount of personal waste products by
way or urine and feces.
While much of it moves into the sewer the system, there is also a
large amount that is dumped directly into landfills in the form of
diapers. Even the sewer system ends at the landfill, where the
biological waste pollutes the soil and water. This is because our
bodies are full of toxins and chemicals which are now seeping into
the land and causing pollution of soil.
Main Causes of Soil Pollution
4: Accidental Oil Spills
Oil leaks can happen during storage and transport of chemicals. This can be seen
at most of the fuel stations. The chemicals present in the fuel deteriorates the
quality of soil and make them unsuitable for cultivation. These chemicals can
enter into the groundwater through soil and make the water undrinkable.
5: Acid Rain
Acid rain is caused when pollutants present in the air mixes up with the rain and
fall back on the ground. The polluted water could dissolve away some of the
important nutrients found in soil and change the structure of the soil.

6: Deforestation
 Effects of Soil Pollution
Effect on Health of Humans:
Considering how soil is the reason we are able to sustain ourselves, the
contamination of it has major consequences on our health. Crops and plants
grown on polluted soil absorb much of the pollution and then pass these on
to us. This could explain the sudden surge in small and terminal illnesses.
Long term exposure to such soil can affect the genetic make-up of the body,
causing congenital illnesses and chronic health problems that cannot be
cured easily. In fact, it can sicken the livestock to a considerable extent and
cause food poisoning over a long period of time. The soil pollution can even
lead to widespread famines if the plants are unable to grow in it.
Effects of Soil Pollution
Effect on Growth of Plants:
The ecological balance of any system gets affected due to the
widespread contamination of the soil. Most plants are unable to adapt
when the chemistry of the soil changes so radically in a short period of
time. Fungi and bacteria found in the soil that bind it together begin to
decline, which creates an additional problem of soil erosion.
The fertility slowly diminishes, making land unsuitable for agriculture
and any local vegetation to survive. The soil pollution causes large tracts
of land to become hazardous to health. Unlike deserts, which are suitable
for its native vegetation, such land cannot support most forms of life.
Effects of Soil Pollution
Decreased Soil Fertility:
The toxic chemicals present in the soil can decrease soil fertility and
therefore decrease in the soil yield. The contaminated soil is then used to
produce fruits and vegetables which lacks quality nutrients and may
contain some poisonous substance to cause serious health problems in
people consuming them.
Toxic Dust:
The emission of toxic and foul gases from landfills pollutes the
environment and causes serious effects on health of some people. The
unpleasant smell causes inconvenience to other people.
Effects of Soil Pollution
Changes in Soil Structure:
The death of many soil organisms (e.g. earthworms) in the soil can lead
to alteration in soil structure. Apart from that, it could also force other
predators to move to other places in search of food.
A number of ways have been suggested to curb the current rate of
pollution. Such attempts at cleaning up the environment require plenty of
time and resources to be pitched in. Industries have been given
regulations for the disposal of hazardous waste, which aims at
minimizing the area that becomes polluted. Organic methods of farming
are being supported, which do not use chemical laden pesticides and
fertilizers. Use of plants that can remove the pollutants from the soil is
being encouraged. However, the road ahead is quite long and the
prevention of soil pollution will take many more years.
HOW TO PREVENT SOIL POLLUTION?
A) Biological method
(i) Crop related (ii) Forestry related
i. Crop related
Crop rotation: It implies frequent succession of crop on the same portion
of land in a given time-frame. Crop mixes such as wheat, mustard, Arhar,
Groundnut, maize cowpea etc., can be grown. Thus, after a harvest of one
crop there is another growing up or covering the soil so that the soil is
never bare or exposed.
Planting along the contours: Leguminous plants, cowpea and cereal crops
can be grown in a particular way to check soil erosion. This helps farmers
get maximum profit with least investment and increases the fertility of the
soil.
HOW TO PREVENT SOIL POLLUTION?
Strip cropping: This reduces the velocity of water flow and prevents erosion.
Steep farming: This prevents erosion by reducing sludge. This leads to the
use of hilly land for cultivation.
Crop Residues: By laying a thin layer of 10-15 cm of crop residues in
farming, erosion and vaporization can be prevented. With this method, Rabi
crop can be increased up to 30 percent. After a crop we should leave the
stubble in the field. Then untimely rains and wind don’t destroy much.
Protector Belt: By planting trees and bush in the right angle, depending on
the direction of wind along the fields, the erosion caused by wind can be
stopped.
Use of fertilizers: Use of dung manure, clarinet or compost, green manure
and other organic composts reduce soil erosion.
HOW TO PREVENT SOIL POLLUTION?
(ii) Forest implantation method:
Forests are very helpful in preventing soil erosion. There are two functions
under this- .
 First, develop forests in new areas for increasing the soil fertility and
formation. This reduces the erosion of rain water and air.
 Second, new forestry should be adopted where there is excessive
pollution of forests, excessive animal feed and surface degradation.
Resources Of Soil

 Is soil a natural resource? Soil consists of air, water, minerals, and organic
material and is one of the world's most important natural resources. Most life
on earth as a direct or indirect source of food depends on soil. Plants absorb
all nutrients from the soil and for humans, soil gives feed.
 What are soil resources examples?
It consists of particles of rock, sand and clay as well as organic material such as
plant residues, soil-dwelling animals and organisms such as bacteria and fungi,
along with the air and water in soil pores
Resources Of minerals

 Mineral resources can be divided into two major categories - Metallic and
Nonmetallic. Metallic resources are things like Gold, Silver, Tin, Copper, Lead,
Zinc, Iron, Nickel, Chromium, and Aluminum. Nonmetallic resources are
things like sand, gravel, gypsum, halite, Uranium, dimension stone.
 Minerals in general have been categorized into three classes' fuel, metallic
and non-metallic. Fuel minerals like coal, oil and natural gas have been given
prime importance as they account for nearly 87% of the value of mineral
production whereas metallic and non-metallic constitutes 6 to 7%.
Principles Of metal Extraction

 What are the three principal steps in metal extraction?

(i) Concentration of the ore.
(ii) Extraction of the metal from the concentrated ore
(iii) Purification of the impure metal.
 The process of extracting the metals from their ores and refining them is called metallurgy.
 General Principles of Extraction of Metals
1. Crushing and pulverization.
2. Concentration or dressing of the ore.
3. Calcination or roasting of the ore.
4. Reduction of metal oxides to free metal.
5. Purification and refining of metal.
Metal Contamination

 What is metal contamination?

Heavy metals are importunate, so they accumulate or deposit in the ground
waters. Contamination also occurs when these metals are released into the air
through volcanic activities and from different industrial emissions which
ultimately return to the land.
 Heavy metals are common pollutants in the soil environment, namely arsenic
(As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), copper (Cu),
zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni). This type of contamination is biologically toxic, widely
distributed, and persists long-term in the soil environment.
Toxicity of Metals

 Heavy metals are toxic to the soil, plants, aquatic life, and human health if
their concentration is high in the compost. Heavy metals exhibit toxic effects
on soil biota by affecting key microbial processes and decreasing the number
and activity of soil microorganisms.
 Essential and non-essential heavy metals generally produce common toxic
effects on plants, such as low biomass accumulation, chlorosis, inhibition of
growth and photosynthesis, altered water balance and nutrient assimilation,
and senescence, which ultimately cause plant death
Cont

 Health Effects of Heavy Metals

Unfortunately, heavy metals can have serious health effects for humans. Many play a role in cancer
development or cause internal organ damage, even at low concentrations. Cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel,
and mercury are also known to affect the formation of blood cells–the metals can react with the surface of
the cells, making them less elastic and therefore less able to circulate throughout the body.
 We’ve summarized five critical heavy metals and their known health effects:
 Mercury
Mercury is known to cause brain damage in developing children, and if you’re pregnant, it can cause
birth defects or possibly a miscarriage. Methylmercury compounds are also known to cause cancer. There
is a deep concern about mercury exposure through predatory fish such as tuna, which is the second most
popular fish in the US.
An example to demonstrate the magnitude of the issue is if a 45 lb child eats one 6 oz can of white tuna
per week, the child is already exceeding the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mercury limit.
Cont.

 Lead
Lead is particularly harmful for children. It is structurally similar to calcium and can therefore
replace calcium in the growing bones of children. Once the child is grown, the lead can release
into the body and cause brain and nerve damage. Lead can also cause anaemia, reproductive
issues, and renal impairment.
People are usually exposed to lead through contaminated food or water, or in the case of
children, from ingesting objects with lead paint. Lead can be expelled at very low levels, but at
high or continuous doses, lead bioaccumulates in the body.
 Cadmium
Cadmium remains in human bodies for decades, and long-term exposure is linked to renal
dysfunction. A high concentration exposure can also lead to bone defects and lung disease,
which may eventually become lung cancer. People can be exposed to cadmium not only
through food and water, but also from tobacco in cigarettes.
Cont.

 Chromium
At low levels, chromium only causes skin irritation and ulcers. Longer-term exposure,
however, can lead to liver issues, renal tubular damage, and cancer. Similar to mercury,
chromium easily accumulates in aquatic life.
 Arsenic
Arsenic is technically considered a metalloid, but acts like a heavy metal in its toxicology.
Arsenic exposure can cause breathing problems, lung and skin cancer, decreased IQ,
nervous system issues, and even death at high levels. Arsenic easily enters groundwater and
soils from natural sources and industrial operations. Some crops can uptake arsenic after
irrigation or from the soil, an example being rice, leading to exposure through food.
Bio Accumulation Of Heavy Metals:

 What is Bioaccumulation? Bioaccumulation is essentially the buildup of

contaminants such as heavy metals or pesticides in living organisms. Aquatic
organisms are often subject to bioaccumulation because they absorb
contaminants from the water around them faster than their bodies are able to
excrete them
 Humans are also subject to bioaccumulation, either from consuming
contaminated aquatic organisms or from exposure to contaminants in our
food, air, or water. Heavy metals do not biodegrade, which means they can
last for a long time in our bodies.
Cont.

 Bioaccumulation in the food chain begins with the smallest microorganisms

and ends with humans. Heavy metals are able to bind to the surface of
microorganisms (like phytoplankton in oceans) and sometimes enter the cells
themselves.

 Once they enter the cell, heavy metals can react with chemicals released by
the microorganism to digest food, and undergo chemical transformations. (An
example is mercury becoming methylmercury, which is especially dangerous
because methylmercury is more easily absorbed by living organisms.) Insects
and zooplankton eat microorganisms, fish eat zooplankton, and eventually
humans order a tuna to eat at a restaurant!