What is soil pollution

While civilization has advanced considerably in science, it’s still a stretch scientifically to say that something man made is not ‘natural’- how would we define what is and isn’t? This demarcation is therefore fuzzy between normal ‘waste’ and actual ‘pollution’ in any given set of cycles. It’s more about how concentrated it is, and where it winds up compared to that soil’s ability to absorb it back into its natural uptake processes- and what role humans played in moving it around or dumping it somewhere. So waste such as banana peels or bat guano, ash from fires or even much human sewage need not become ‘pollution’. But some of the concentrated chemicals we have created are so far removed from their places of origin and place in the normal cycles that they are not easily re-absorbed into the soil, often causing great harm. These, we call contaminants or soil pollution. What are soil contaminants? In urban areas, soil contamination is largely caused by human activity. The type of soil will also play a role in its distribution. Certain contaminants may reach groundwater sources more easily in sand than in clay or loamy soils. Contaminants may also be retained at a site, which could pose on-site risk of exposure. Main Cause of Soil Pollution – Humans The leading causes of soil pollution are ultimately rooted in human indifference or deliberate damage. Consumers litter non-biodegradable objects like Xenobiotics Cause Soil Contamination So, therefore, what we call soil polluti...

Global negotiators have agreed to create a draft treaty to address plastic pollution, a major environmental issue caused by human waste. This is an important first step in tackling the problem. land pollution, the The waste materials that cause land The Until the mid-20th century, solid wastes were generally collected and placed on top of the ground in uncontrolled “open dumps,” which often became breeding grounds for A modern technique for land disposal of solid waste involves construction and daily operation and control of so-called Hazardous waste differs from MSW and C&D debris in both form and behaviour. Its disposal requires special attention because it can cause serious illnesses or injuries and can pose immediate and significant threats to environmental quality. The main Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Before modern techniques for disposing of hazardous wastes were legislated and put into practice, the wastes were generally disposed of or stored in surface piles, lagoons, ponds, or unlined landfills. Thousands of those waste sites still exist, now old and abandoned. Also, the illegal but frequent practice of “midnight dumping” of hazardous wastes, as well as accidental spills, has contaminated thousands of industrial land

The world’s soils, which provide 95% of humanity’s food, are “under great pressure”, according to Soils are also the largest active store of carbon, after the oceans, and therefore crucial in fighting the climate crisis. But the report said industrial pollution, mining, farming and poor waste management are poisoning soils, with the “polluter pays” principle absent in many countries. Pollutants include metals, cyanides, DDT and other pesticides, and long-lasting organic chemicals such as PCBs, the report said, making food and water unsafe, cutting the productivity of fields and harming wildlife. However, it said most releases of pollutants that end up in soils are not easily quantified and therefore the true damage remains highly uncertain. The global production of industrial chemicals each year has doubled since 2000 to 2.3bn tonnes, the report said, and is projected to nearly double again by 2030, meaning soil pollution is expected to increase further. The UN also warns of emerging contaminants including pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials that lead to drug-resistant bacteria, and plastics. “Global soils are under great pressure,” said Qu Dongyu, head of the UN food and agriculture organisation. “This thin crust of the Earth’s surface, the soil, supports all terrestrial life and is involved in many key ecosystem services that are essential to the environment and to human health and wellbeing.” Inger Andersen, head of the UN environment programme (Unep), said: “Soil pollution...

Key messages • Hotspots for human exposure to soil pollution are contaminated sites, certain agricultural and urban soils, and land that has previously been flooded. • A large number of contaminated sites in Europe still have not been registered, characterised, monitored or remediated, thus posing significant risk to human health. • There is evidence that pollutants are accumulating in soil above critical thresholds set to protect soil health. Figure 20. Summary analysis: soil pollution and health The infographic above summarises the overall findings on soil pollution. Two dimensions are assessed: • whether the recent trend in pollution is positive, negative or uncertain • the current 'distance to target', based on an assessment of the current trends or status and whether or not the EU is on track to achieve the defined zero pollution targets for 2030 and/or other relevant policy targets. The assessment is based on a combination of (1) available indicators and data, and (2) expert judgement. Introduction Healthy soils are critical for supporting human health. They are essential for food, biomass and fibre production, the production of certain medicines, and retaining and filtering water. Healthy soils also play a key role in carbon and nutrient cycles. Soil pollution affects soil fertility; this jeopardises food security, which is essential for human survival. It also poses risks to human health — both indirectly through the consumption of contaminated food and drinking wa...