what is soil pollution?

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The degradation or contamination of soil by dumping harmful waste materials in the soil or using excessive insecticides is called soil pollution.

Soil Pollution:

• Soil pollution is the contamination of soil with harmful substances that can adversely affect the quality of the soil and the health of those living on it.

• Soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment.

• This type of contamination typically arises from the rupture of underground storage tanks, application of pesticides, percolation of contaminated surface water to subsurface strata, oil and fuel dumping, leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of industrial wastes to the soil.

• The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead and other heavy metals. This occurrence of this phenomenon is correlated with the degree of industrialization and intensities of chemical usage.

Soil contamination or soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals, or improper disposal of waste. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene), solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals.The concern over soil contamination stems primarily from health risks, from direct contact with the contaminated soil, vapors from the contaminants, and from secondary contamination of water supplies within and underlying the soil. Soil contamination can be caused by:

• Application of pesticides and fertilizers
• Mining
• Oil and fuel dumping
• Disposal of coal ash
• Leaching from landfills
• Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil
• Discharging urine and faeces in the open