Soil Pollution

Soil pollution refers to an undesirable decrease in the quality 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 fertilizers

· 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 biodiversity; silting of tanks, lakes and reservoirs; diseases and deaths of consumers in the food chain due to use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, etc.

Soil Pollution Control

· Adoption of soil-friendly agricultural practices.

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

· Scientific rotation of crop to increase soil fertility.

· Proper disposal of industrial and urban solid and liquid 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 solid waste.

· Formulation and effective implementation of stringent pollution control legislation.

· Improved sewage and sanitation system in urban areas.