The causes of soil
pollution are classified into the following categories.
1) Municipal Solid Waste:
This class
includes non-hazardous garbage, trash, and rubbish from homes, institutions,
markets, etc.
2) Construction and Demolition waste:
It
includes wood, wallboard, concrete rubble, asphalt, metal objects, and other
inert materials produced during construction activity.
3) Hazardous Waste:
It includes dangerous and harmful substances generated as liquid, solid, or sludge by various petroleum refineries, paper mills, chemical manufacturing companies, smelters, and many other industries.
4) Accidental Oil Spills:
Oil leaks can happen
during the storage and transport of chemicals. This can be seen at most of the
fuel stations. The chemicals present in the fuel deteriorate the quality of
soil and make them unsuitable for cultivation. These chemicals can enter into
groundwater through the soil and make the water undrinkable.
5) Agricultural Activities:
Modern agricultural practices pollute the soil to a large extent. Huge quantities of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and weedicides are added to soil to increase crop yield. The use of excess fertilizers to increase crop yields makes the soil either acidic or alkaline and pollutes it. Other chemicals damage the composition of the soil and make it easier to erode by water and air. Plants absorb many of the pesticides and when they decompose, they cause soil pollution since they become a part of the land.
6) Industrial Activities:
Industrial activity has
been the biggest contributor to the problem in the last century, especially
since the amount of mining and manufacturing has increased. Most industries are
dependent on extracting minerals from the earth. Whether it is iron ore or
coal, the by-products are contaminated and they are not disposed of in a manner
that can be considered safe. As a result, the industrial waste lingers in the
soil surface for a long time and makes it unsuitable for use.
Large quantity of solid
wastes like unused and rejected chemicals(like sludge, press mud, sawdust,
bottles, plastic materials, etc), unwanted industrial wastes generated during
manufacturing processes are dumped over on the surface of the soil by almost
all industries with a difference in the degree.
The larger the production base, the larger is the generation of wastes. Traditionally, these materials have been dumped around the city and causing soil pollution.
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| Soil pollution due to solid waste dumping |
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