Types of Soil Pollution

Soil pollution is a current global concern and one of the most common challenges that all countries are facing. Furthermore, the issue is compounded in eastern countries. Preventing this condition is vital, and various control measures must be adopted. We can choose the precise steps by understanding the type of soil pollution. Here’s a guide on types of soil covering an explanation of all essential types. 

Types of Soil Pollution 

As technology is developing at the fastest speed ever, urban activities are increasing. Some such activities result in adverse effects on natural resources such as soil, air and water. When it comes to soil pollution caused by urban activities, these include the following three types.

• Soil Pollution caused by industries

• Soil pollution caused by agriculture

• Soil pollution caused by radioactivity

Industrial soil Pollution

As the term indicates, this type of soil pollution takes place mostly due to industrial activities. The dumping activities of rubber, metal, fuel, chemicals and related industries have a vital role in soil pollution. Every country has a giant industrial sector. As a result, soil pollution seems unstoppable.  Here are some other urban activities that cause industrial soil pollution.

• Mining
• Dumping of abandoned vehicles
• Dumping fuel residues
• Use of plastic

This type of soil pollution harms the soil by littering it with impurities, creating a centre of attraction for parasites and bacteria. In some instances, this can damage the vegetation of soil too. Moreover, this type of pollution can be controlled by implementing measures of residue dumping activities. 

Agriculture soil pollution

As the world developed, the agriculture sector and technology also expanded on a large scale. Now, chemicals and machinery are used in industries utilising harmful substances, including pesticides, weedicides, and herbicides. Moreover, these activities are done to increase the crop yield more efficiently. 

Agriculture soil pollution harms the soil quality by diminishing the fertility of the soil and causing soil erosion. To neutralise agricultural soil pollution, we have to reduce the implementation of harmful chemicals and opt for organic methods. Afforestation can also work as a solution in an indirect manner. It helps to reduce soil erosion. 

Radioactive soil pollution

This type of soil pollution can be referred to as the dangerous and most toxic among all. Here, radioactive residues are dumped in the soil. Moreover, this type of soil has no vegetation, fertility, and purities. This soil pollution is caused by activities such as nuclear tests, fossil fuel burning or dumping, etc. Furthermore.

Other types of soil pollution

• Acid rain soil pollution – Here, acid rain is responsible for the occurrence of pollution. This soil pollution has an indirect relation with water pollution. The polluted water often gets toxic. After it is vaporised, acid rain is observed. This type of soil pollution makes the soil toxic and diminishes soil fertility and vegetation.
• Soil pollution is caused by other types of pollution – Air pollution causes acid rain and results in soil pollution. Similarly, air pollution affects the plants and degrades their speed of growth by making harmful salts travel to them.   
• Biological agents – Living organisms cause this type of soil pollution. Here, the soil is polluted due to the littering of soil from the excreta of humans, animals and birds.

Conclusion

Soil pollution is impure soil caused by the invasion of pollutants in soil. We looked at different types of soil pollution. Most common among them are industrial soil pollution and agricultural soil pollution. Agricultural soil pollution is caused by the implementation of chemicals to yield crops. Industrial soil pollution is caused by industries. Dumping of residue and chemicals are some examples. For more understanding, we covered the other minor types of soil pollution as well.