Meghan Hodges
Soil is an essential component of the Earth's surface, supporting all terrestrial life and regulating key ecosystem services that are vital to the environment and human health and well-being. However, human activities are increasingly polluting soils, posing significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. Soil pollution is caused by various factors, including the agricultural use of pesticides, industrial and urban pollution, and deforestation, leading to adverse effects on soil fertility, food security, and human health. The contamination of soil with heavy metals, toxic organic chemicals, and plastic waste poses direct and indirect health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and the consumption of contaminated food and water. As a result, addressing soil pollution is crucial to safeguard the environment and ensure human health and sustainability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil pollution | Contamination of soil at higher than normal concentrations by waste materials of human origin |
| Pollutants | Heavy metals, toxic organic chemicals, biological pathogens, plastic waste, pesticides, manure, antibiotics, hormones, radioactive materials, arsenic, fossil fuels, sewage, solid waste, etc. |
| Sources of pollutants | Industrial activities, coal burning, motor vehicle emissions, waste incineration, sewage, solid waste dumping, agricultural activities, etc. |
| Effects of soil pollution | Reduced biodiversity, reduced crop yields, contaminated food and drinking water, increased risk of diseases, etc. |
| Soil erosion | Loss of topsoil, increased pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging of waterways, flooding, desertification, loss of biodiversity, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Agricultural and urban pollution
Soil pollution is defined as the contamination of soil by waste materials of human origin, which have adverse effects on human and ecosystem health. Healthy soil is foundational to human health, as it is needed to grow crops, provide food, and sustain populations. It also supports diverse ecosystems and critical ecological services such as pollination, water filtration, and carbon sequestration.
Agricultural pollution is a significant contributor to soil pollution. The use of pesticides in agriculture is a classical route of exposure, with repeated pesticide application lowering soil biodiversity and resilience, and leading to contaminated food and feed. It is estimated that 25 million agricultural workers per year are affected by pesticide poisoning, and pesticides have been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and asthma. Pesticides can also contaminate waterways, as they wash into streams and rivers, causing water pollution.
The transition to agriculture from natural vegetation, such as forests and grasslands, can also increase soil erosion beyond the soil's ability to maintain itself. This leads to increased pollution and sedimentation in waterways, clogging these waterways and causing declines in fish populations. In addition, the use of fertilizers in agriculture can result in excess nutrients, leading to ecosystem eutrophication and reduced biodiversity. Unused nitrogen from fertilizers can also leach out of the soil, entering waterways and ultimately drinking water.
Urban pollution is another contributor to soil pollution. Soils in urban areas, such as parks and home gardens, can act as repositories for contaminants. Urban pollution can occur through industrial production, mining operations, and waste management facilities, where hazardous materials may be used or stored, leading to emissions to air, water, and soil. Urban soils can be contaminated with heavy metals, and other toxic pollutants, which can pose significant risks to human health, particularly to children who may play in these areas.
Overall, agricultural and urban pollution are significant contributors to soil pollution, which has adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and food security.
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Pesticides and fertilisers
Pesticides are chemical compounds used to control pests and weeds in agriculture, urban landscapes, and forestry. They are often considered a quick and inexpensive solution, but their misuse or overuse can result in soil contamination. Pesticides can reach the soil through deposition after being sprayed on foliage, rainfall or irrigation, or direct application. They can persist in the soil for long periods, affecting soil organisms and reducing biodiversity. Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are some of the most toxic classes of pesticides, with the potential to harm beneficial insects, birds, fish, and non-target plants. Pesticide residues have been found in soil, air, and water, with studies detecting them in more than 90% of water and fish samples from river basins. The long-term effects of pesticide exposure on human health are not yet fully understood, but they are known to accumulate in the food chain and pose risks to those working in agriculture.
Fertilisers are another essential tool for agriculture, providing crops with the necessary nutrients for growth. However, the excessive use of chemical fertilisers can lead to soil pollution. Inorganic fertilisers, when applied in disproportionate amounts, can negatively impact soil health, microflora, and other organisms. They can also influence groundwater, air quality, and human and animal health. To promote sustainable agriculture, the use of natural fertilisers, such as biofertilisers, vermicompost, and green manure, is encouraged.
The inappropriate disposal of pesticides and fertilisers, as well as the use of illegal or counterfeit products, further contributes to soil pollution. Empty pesticide containers, for example, can leave residual quantities of the chemical, posing a hazard if not properly managed. Additionally, agricultural plastic products, such as irrigation tubing and mulching films, can become a source of pollution if not collected and removed from fields after use.
The awareness of the risks associated with hazardous chemical compounds, including pesticides and fertilisers, has led to international conventions such as the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention, which aim to regulate their use and trade. Reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers, adopting sustainable alternatives, and improving waste management practices are crucial steps towards preserving soil health and mitigating their polluting effects.
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Radioactive contamination
One of the well-known instances of radioactive contamination is the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, which led to the displacement of 110,000 people. Other areas affected by radioactive contamination include Chernobyl in Ukraine, the Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado, and the Bikini Atoll. The effects of such contamination can be long-lasting and have severe consequences for the environment and human health.
The hazards associated with radioactive contamination of the soil are assessed from two main perspectives: the anthropocentric (sanitary-hygienic) principle and the ecocentric (biospheric, environmental) approach. The anthropocentric principle focuses on the degree of radioactive contamination of agricultural crops and ensuring their conformity with radiological standards. On the other hand, the ecocentric approach considers the impact of irradiation on soil biota and living terrestrial organisms, aiming to uphold radiation standards and permissible radiation doses.
To address radioactive contamination, various techniques are employed, such as burying and covering contaminated areas with concrete, soil, or rock. While these methods prevent the further spread of contamination, they do not eliminate the presence of radioactive materials. Decontamination efforts often result in the generation of radioactive waste, which poses its own challenges in terms of disposal and long-term storage.
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Plastic waste
Another source of plastic contamination in agricultural soils is mulching, which involves covering the soil with plastic sheets to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. The plastic types commonly used for mulching, such as LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE, do not degrade rapidly in the soil, leading to the accumulation of plastic residues on the surface and subsurface of farmlands. These plastics can break down into smaller particles over time due to various factors, including climate conditions, agrochemicals, and environmental pollution.
Plastic pollution in the soil can have detrimental effects on soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning. Chlorinated plastic, for example, can release harmful chemicals that seep into groundwater and surrounding water sources, potentially impacting the species that drink the water. Additionally, microplastics in the soil can affect soil fauna, leading to a decrease in species that maintain land fertility, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny organisms.
The presence of plastic waste in the soil also poses risks to human health. As plastics break down, they can gain new chemical properties, increasing the risk of toxic effects on organisms. These toxic substances can leach into the soil and water, potentially entering the human body through the consumption of contaminated food and water or inhalation of plastic particles in the air. The impact of plastic pollution on human health is not yet fully understood, but it is a growing concern that requires further research and global efforts to reduce plastic production and improve waste management.
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Soil erosion
There are several types of soil erosion, including sheet erosion, rill erosion, gully erosion, and bank erosion. Sheet erosion involves the removal of soil in thin, uniform layers by raindrop impact and shallow surface water flow. Rill erosion results in small, well-defined channels, typically smaller than gully erosion channels. Gully erosion refers to the washing away of soil through deep grooves or channels across unprotected land, including human-made drainage lines. Bank erosion occurs when natural rivers and streams, as well as man-made drainage channels, are progressively undercut, scoured, and slumped by the intense movement of water.
Human activities, such as agriculture and land clearing, have intensified soil erosion. When natural vegetation is replaced by agricultural fields, topsoil is exposed and can dry out, making it more susceptible to erosion by wind and water. The use of certain agricultural plants, such as coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybean, and wheat, can also worsen soil erosion. Overgrazing can reduce ground cover, enabling erosion and compaction of the land by wind and rain. Additionally, the overuse of pesticides and other chemicals can change soil composition and disrupt the balance of microorganisms, stimulating the growth of harmful bacteria.
The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It leads to increased pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging waterways and causing declines in fish and other species. Degraded lands are also less able to absorb water, worsening flooding. Soil erosion has significant economic costs, with the United States losing about $37.6 billion in productivity each year due to soil erosion.
To mitigate soil erosion, it is crucial to rehabilitate damaged land, halt further degradation, and implement erosion-preventative measures in land management policies. Techniques such as terraced farming, intercropping, agroforestry, and alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted crops can help prevent erosion and improve soil health.
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Frequently asked questions
Soil pollution can have both direct and indirect effects on human health. Direct effects occur through exposure to contaminated soil, while indirect effects occur through the consumption of contaminated food and drinking water. Soil may contain heavy metals, chemicals, or pathogens that have the potential to negatively impact human health. Soil pollution can also reduce crop yields and make foods unsuitable for human consumption, thereby affecting food security.
Soil pollution is caused by human activities such as the agricultural use of pesticides, industrial or urban pollution, and deforestation. Excess nutrients from fertiliser and manure application, deposition of air pollutants, and the release of radionuclides from medical waste, nuclear power disasters, or nuclear weapons testing also contribute to soil pollution.
Soil pollution affects soil fertility and biodiversity, reducing its ability to yield food and support ecosystems. It also contributes to water pollution as pollutants wash into rivers and waterways, damaging freshwater and marine habitats. Additionally, soil pollution can increase flooding and lead to the desertification of fertile land.
