A change or alteration in the natural physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil because of human activities degrades the quality and productivity of the soil. This is known as soil pollution. The Main Sources of Soil Pollution are
Sources of soil pollution
- Discharges from industries such as used chemicals and fly ash are dumped into the ground polluting the soil.
- Municipal wastes, hospital wastes, and market wastes lead to soil pollution.
- Use of chemical fertilizers which contain nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus results in soil pollution as it contaminates soil with impurities.
- Disposal of biomedical wastes such as hospital wastes and domestic wastes contaminates the soil with pathogens (disease-causing bacteria) which may affect human health. Intestinal parasites cause the most serious soil pollution problems in third-world countries.
- Pesticides and weedicides which are used for controlling pests and weeds on agricultural fields may settle on soil permanently, passing these toxic materials to plants
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Types of Pollution
Excessive concentration of foreign particles or substances into the air which adversely affects the atmosphere is known as air pollution. Read more
Effects of Pollution
The presence of one or more harmful gases in the atmosphere is known as air pollution. Apart from these, solid particles like dust also pollute the air. Read more
Abatement of Pollution
Air pollution not only contains gaseous matter but also solid particles. Many devices and equipment have been designed to prevent air pollution. While choosing a device. Read more