How does soil pollution affect the environment?
When soil is contaminated with these substances, it can hurt the native environment. Many of these substances are just as toxic to plants as they are to humans. In addition, since soil is the “earth’s kidney,” contaminants can trickle through the soil and get to our water supply.
How does soil affect water quality?
The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It has led to increased pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging these waterways and causing declines in fish and other species. And degraded lands are also often less able to hold onto water, which can worsen flooding.
How does soil erosion cause water pollution?
Severe soil erosion which leads to excessive silt export to waters or reservoirs result in disturbances of life in water bodies as well as reduced quality of the environmental (Zhai, 2010. (2010).
How does soil pollution affect soil productivity?
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.
What are the main effects of soil pollution?
Soil pollution can have a number of harmful effects on ecosystems and human, plants and animal health. Soil pollution can also cause neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system, headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash.
How can we prevent and control soil pollution?
- Get a better understanding of the soil environment quality baseline.
- Develop necessary legislation on soil pollution control.
- Proper management of agricultural land and the practice of organic farming.
- Proper Solid Waste Treatment.
- Ensure proper investigation of reclaimed land.
- Strictly control the pollution of new soil.
What are the causes and effects of soil pollution?
The primary cause of soil pollution is a lack of awareness in general people. Thus, due to many different human activities such as overuse of pesticides the soil will lose its fertility. Moreover, the presence of excess chemicals will increase the alkalinity or acidity of soil thus degrading the soil quality.
What are the causes of pollution in environment?
21.3. Causes of environmental pollution
- Urbanization and industrialization. Since the era of industrial revolution, man has continued to introduce hazardous materials into the environment at an alarming rate.
- Mining and exploration.
- Agricultural activities.
- Burning of fossil fuels.
- Particulate matter.
- Plastics.