Simple Guide on Soil Pollution Sources

A present world threat, soil pollution is one of the common problems all countries face. Moreover, the problem is even more in eastern countries. Since it is necessary to prevent the problem, governments must implement some control measures. One can also decrease soil pollution by reducing the sources which contribute to it. Urban waste and biological agents’ usage are some of the familiar sources. Aside from it, some agricultural sources are also there. Let us discuss. 

Sources of Soil pollution

Soil pollution is the contamination of soils by releasing many poisonous substances or chemicals into the ground. These toxic contaminants include anything which affects soil, like radioactive contaminants, toxic and disease-spreading contaminants. All these affect and pollute the soil pool. There are various sources of soil pollution, which we discuss here in the article.

• Urban waste – The most significant problem every country faces is managing urban waste. These urban wastes are the most important source of soil pollution. Many authorities put this waste in the soil, affecting soil texture and reducing the fertility rate. Soil loses its nutrient cycle because of this urban waste.
• Acid rain – Air also is a mixture of many gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. When these compounds fall in the form of rain, the soil absorbs them. Nevertheless, they affect the earth by fusing its all-important nutrients and changing soil texture. You can also say that acid rain also makes soil less fertile. 
• Biological agents – These biological agents are another contributor to soil pollution. Human and animal excreta are mainly the most significant source of soil pollution. Biological contamination happens when food becomes sullied by living organic entities or the substances they produce.
• Sewer Sludge – The sewer sludge released from houses is one of the most significant sources of soil pollution. Sometimes, they are released in nearby freshwater rivers or pools and kill the other water-living organisms in water bodies.

Agricultural sources 

Agriculture sources are also involved in contributing to soil pollution. Primarily these sources include extreme usage of pesticides, fungicides, fertilisers, herbicides, etc. 

Many of these synthetic substances are non-biodegradable, while others deteriorate into harmful items to the soil. These items saturate the ground and follow up on the dirt, changing its design, organisation, and pH.

Let us talk about fertilisers as they are a significant product in the agriculture field, and they are instrumental in maintaining the availability of soil nutrients. If the soil has any nutrient deficiency, fertilisers can compensate for the nutrients in the ground. However, sometimes, extreme usage of fertilisers can lead to soil pollution.

• For example, the stone or rock phosphates mineral utilised for assembling blended composts contains some amounts of Asbestos, Cadmium, and Lead.
• These metals are non-biodegradable and, with time, aggregate to toxic levels and cause soil pollution.

Industrial sources 

If we talk about the other contributors to soil pollution, it is industrial sources. Modern sources, including these industrial sources, are additionally one of the fundamental sources of soil contamination. These industrial contaminants or pollutants include wastes discharged from fertiliser factories, sugar factories, paper factories, tanneries, distilleries, mining, petroleum, textile, and pharma factories.

• Dispensation of Industrial wastes is a severe issue for soil contamination. 
• These contaminants influence and adjust the synthetic and organic properties of soil. 
• As a result, unsafe synthetics or chemicals can go into the human food chain from the dirt or water and affect the biochemical cycle, leading to critical health problems.

Most petroleum industries cause soil pollution by releasing waste in products like petroleum hydrocarbons. 

• These include contaminants like methylbenzene or related products. 
• All these wastes are highly contagious to humans as they are carcinogenic by nature.

Some other industrial contaminants are also involved in causing soil pollution. 

• PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls), dispersants, chlorinated waste solvents, and plasticisers are some of the industrial pollutants that negatively affect the soil texture and reduce their efficiency.

Conclusion

From all the above, we learned about the sources of soil pollution. We concluded that soil pollution is impure present within the soil. There are many reasons behind this world threat. There are specific sources that result from this pollution. Generally, some industrial and agricultural processes are responsible for it. Moreover, there are naturally occurring sources, such as acid rain, floods, and sandstorms.