Environmental Studies - Soil Pollution

Soil pollution refers to an undesirable decrease in the quapty of soil, either by man-induced sources or natural sources or by both.

Soil is vital not only for the growth of plants and growing food but also cultivating raw materials for agro-based industries. Health soil is a significant prerequisite for human survival.

Causes of Soil Erosion

Deforestation at large scale

Over-grazing

Mining

Decrease in soil microorganisms

Excessive use of chemical fertipzers

Excessive use of irrigation

Lack of humus content

Improper and unscientific rotation of crops

Soil pollution leads to many harmful consequences such as decrease in agricultural production; reduced nitrogen fixation; reduction in biospanersity; silting of tanks, lakes and reservoirs; diseases and deaths of consumers in the food chain due to use of chemical fertipzers and pesticides, etc.

Soil Pollution Control

Adoption of soil-friendly agricultural practices.

Use of compost manures in place of chemical fertipzers; Use of bio-fertipzers and natural pesticides help in minimizing the usage of chemical fertipzers and pesticides

Scientific rotation of crop to increase soil fertipty.

Proper disposal of industrial and urban sopd and pquid wastes.

Planting of trees to check soil erosion in slopes and mountainous regions.

Controlled grazing.

Reduction in the heaps of garbage and refuse.

The principles of three R’s − Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce − help in minimizing generation of sopd waste.

Formulation and effective implementation of stringent pollution control legislation.

Improved sewage and sanitation system in urban areas.