18-04-2014, 11:42 AM
SOIL POLLUTION & IT’S REMEDIES
SOIL POLLUTION.pptx (Size: 1.46 MB / Downloads: 31)
What is Soil..?
Soil is the thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the Earth's rocky surface.
Soil is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by chemical and mechanical processes that include weathering and erosion.
SOIL POLLUTION
It is defined as the build-up in soils of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or disease causing agents, which have adverse effects on plant growth and animal health.
Soil pollution is also caused by means other than the direct addition of xenobiotic (man-made) chemicals such as agricultural runoff waters, industrial waste materials, acidic precipitates, and radioactive fallout.
Causes of Soil Pollution
Seepage from a landfill.
Discharge of industrial waste into the soil.
Percolation of contaminated water into the soil.
Rupture of underground storage tanks.
Excess application of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer.
Solid waste seepage.
Deforestation and Soil erosion.
Agricultural Soil Pollution
Plants on which we depend for food are under attack from insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, rodents and other animals, and must compete with weeds for nutrients.
To kill unwanted populations living in or on their crops, farmers use pesticides.
The remnants of such pesticides used on pests may get adsorbed by the soil particles and contaminate root crops grown in that soil.
The consumption of such crops causes the pesticides remnants to enter human biological systems, affecting them adversely.
Industrial Soil Pollution
Large quantity of solid wastes like unused and rejected chemicals (like sludge, press mud, saw dust, bottles, plastic materials etc.), unwanted industrial wastes generated during manufacturing processes are dumped over on the surface of soil by almost all industries with difference in the degree.
Larger the production base, larger is the generation of wastes.
Traditionally, these materials have been dumped around the factory site or around the entire city. Rarely, they are put to recycling or safe conversion.
Methods to control Soil Pollution
Weeds soak up minerals in the soil. Reducing weed growth helps reduce soil pollution. One of the more common methods of reducing weed growth is covering the soil with numerous layers of wet newspapers or a plastic sheet for several weeks before cultivation. This prevents light from reaching the weeds, which kills them.
Designated pits should be used for the dumping of soil wastes. These wastes should be treated chemically and biologically to make them less toxic and hazardous.