Kiera Jefferson
Soil pollution, or soil contamination, is caused by the presence of xenobiotics (human-made) chemicals or other alterations in the soil. In Bangladesh, soil pollution is a pressing issue, with the soil in major cities like Dhaka largely losing its fertile capacity and becoming lifeless due to a lack of nutrients and friendly microbes. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers, rising salinity, use of topsoil in brick kilns, industrial pollution, and deforestation are among the leading causes of soil degradation in the country. With about 30,000 manufacturing factories operating in Bangladesh and utilizing at least 40 different types of chemicals, the existing environmental legislation struggles to keep up with the pace and severity of soil pollution. As a result, Bangladesh has become one of the most polluted countries in the world, with its rivers and soil quality suffering the consequences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil pollution in Bengali | দূষণ |
| Soil pollution definition | An undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities |
| Soil pollution causes | Industrial pollution, sewage waste, agricultural fertilizers, deforestation, use of topsoil in brick kilns, rising salinity, petroleum lead air pollution, deposits of electronic and medical waste, excessive use of chemical fertilizers |
| Soil pollution effects | Loss of fertility, lack of nutrients, reduced organic matter, presence of heavy metals, impact on agriculture, environment, and public health |
| Soil pollution solutions | Phase out the use of bricks by 2025, implement and enforce environmental legislations |
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What You'll Learn
- Soil pollution is caused by human activities and industrial waste
- Soil contamination is a subset of land degradation
- Soil pollution is caused by xenobiotics (human-made) chemicals
- Soil pollution is linked to water and air pollution
- Soil pollution is a direct result of the overuse of chemical fertilisers
Soil pollution is caused by human activities and industrial waste
Soil pollution, or দূষণ in Bengali, is a critical issue in Bangladesh. It is caused by human activities and industrial waste, which have led to the deterioration of soil health and posed risks to the country's agriculture, environment, and public health.
Bangladesh is one of the most polluted countries globally, with its rivers and soil suffering from the harmful effects of contamination. A study by the Bangladesh Soil Resource Development Institute found that declining soil fertility is due to a lack of organic matter and a reduction in essential nutrients. This has resulted in the soil largely losing its fertile capacity and becoming lifeless, especially in big cities like Dhaka.
Human activities, such as industrialization, sewage waste, and agricultural practices, are significant contributors to soil pollution in Bangladesh. The country is home to 30,000 manufacturing factories, which utilize various chemicals in their operations. Industrial pollution, including emissions and waste disposal, releases harmful substances that eventually find their way into the ground soil. Additionally, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, rising salinity, and the use of topsoil in brick kilns further degrade the soil quality.
The presence of heavy metals and pollutants in the soil is a pressing concern. Studies have detected cobalt and chromium at dangerously high levels, along with other heavy metals. These contaminants are detrimental to the soil's health and pose risks to the environment and human well-being. The entry of these harmful substances into the food cycle poses a significant threat to public health.
The existing environmental legislations in Bangladesh have been inadequate to effectively curb soil pollution. The lack of proper implementation of these laws has exacerbated the situation, allowing industrial and human activities to continue degrading the soil. It is crucial to address this issue and implement sustainable practices to preserve soil fertility and protect the health and well-being of the country's citizens.
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Soil contamination is a subset of land degradation
Soil pollution, or soil contamination, is a subset of land degradation. Degradation of land occurs naturally but is accelerated by human activities. Degradation can occur through water erosion, wind erosion, loss of organic matter, fertility decline, and soil acidity, among other causes.
Soil contamination is caused by the presence of xenobiotics (human-made) chemicals and other alterations. Human activities such as industrial and mining activities can introduce toxic pollutants and heavy metals into the soil, making it unfit for agricultural or ecological purposes. Insidious pollution of the soil is the main cause of the extinction of plant species in the UK.
In Bangladesh, there are 30,000 manufacturing factories operating, using at least 40 different types of chemicals in their operations. In 2019, about 234,000 people died in Bangladesh due to environmental pollution and related causes, making it one of the most affected countries in the world.
Soil degradation has far-reaching negative consequences, including landslides, flooding, desertification, water contamination, and a drop in food production worldwide. It is essential to address the detrimental effects of soil degradation through sustainable land management approaches, such as conservation agriculture, precision fertilization methods, afforestation, and pollution control measures.
The term for pollution in Bengali is "দূষণ" (dooṣaṇa).
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Soil pollution is caused by xenobiotics (human-made) chemicals
The Bengali word for pollution is দূষণ ("dooṣaṇa"). Soil contamination or soil pollution is a subset of land degradation. Soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotics, or human-made chemicals, and other alterations.
Xenobiotics are chemical substances found within an organism that are not naturally produced or expected to be present within the organism. Xenobiotics are often resistant to degradation and can accumulate in the environment, particularly in the subsurface environment and water sources. They have become an environmental concern due to their toxicity and accumulation. Xenobiotics include synthetic organochlorides such as plastics and pesticides, and naturally occurring organic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and some fractions of crude oil and coal.
The enormous amounts of harmful compounds released into the environment result in widespread ecosystem contamination. Prominent substances found in soil include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metal ions, pesticides, fertilizers, and oil derivatives. Xenobiotics adversely affect the environment by their long-term persistence and slow or no biodegradation in ecosystems. They impose ecotoxicological effects on soil organisms, reduce microbial activity, and change the soil's physico-chemical properties.
One possible strategy to combat xenobiotic pollution is binding xenobiotic compounds to soil organic matter (SOM). This process uses naturally existing processes to neutralize environmental contaminants found in soil.
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Soil pollution is linked to water and air pollution
Soil pollution can also contribute to air pollution. Contaminated soil can release volatile compounds into the atmosphere, and the more toxic compounds the soil contains, the more it will affect air quality. For example, sulfur dioxide, emitted by burning fossil fuels, can contaminate the soil and create an acidic environment that is detrimental to microorganisms that usually improve soil health.
Human activities such as industrial processes, waste disposal, and mineral extraction have led to the contamination of both soil and water. In the case of the Karnaphuli River in Bangladesh, industrial and domestic waste has led to the deterioration of water and soil quality, impacting the health of the aquatic ecosystem and the people of Chittagong City. Similarly, the Elbe River in Europe has been identified as one of the most polluted rivers due to intensive industrial activity over centuries.
Soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution are all interconnected and have significant impacts on human health and well-being. Soil provides building materials, fuel, and fiber, and is essential for growing crops and providing food. Pollutants in the soil can enter local food sources and affect human health, leading to problems such as central nervous system depression, headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation, and skin rashes. Soil pollution can also negatively affect the metabolisms of microorganisms and arthropods, disrupting food chains and leading to increased mortality rates and even extinction.
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Soil pollution is a direct result of the overuse of chemical fertilisers
The meaning of pollution in Bengali is দূষণ. Soil contamination or soil pollution is caused by the presence of xenobiotics (human-made) chemicals or other alterations. Soil is the main source of life for all living beings and resources. It is the source of minerals, gases, liquids, solutions, and nutrients that support life. However, soil pollution is a direct result of the overuse of chemical fertilisers.
Chemical fertilisers are used in excessive and disproportionate quantities to raise crop yields. While they are the main cause of adequate crop production for the world's population, their overuse presents serious challenges, such as contaminated air, water, and soil, and degraded land. Fertilisers such as triple superphosphate contain trace elements such as cadmium and arsenic, which accumulate in plants and enter humans via food chains, causing health problems.
The overuse of chemical fertilisers can lead to soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, soil structure destruction, and bulk density increase. When crop plants are harvested, soil nutrient levels decrease over time, and these nutrients are replenished by adding fertilisers. However, if fertilisers are applied without the recommendation of soil testing, it can lead to soil contamination.
Excess nutrients from fertilisers are washed off and pollute the natural environment. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two main fertilisers that farmers add to their fields, and nearly two-thirds of the nitrogen used becomes a pollutant. High levels of nitrates can be toxic to humans and livestock, as they interfere with oxygen uptake in the circulatory system.
The excessive use of chemical fertilisers negatively impacts soil health, reducing soil biodiversity and fertility by obstructing the breakdown of soil organic matter and altering nutrient cycling. It also affects the atmosphere, as the availability of nutrients becomes a constraint on plant growth and production. To summarise, the overuse of chemical fertilisers has detrimental effects on the environment, impacting soil, air, water, and ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
Soil pollution in Bengali is দূষণ. It refers to the undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities.
Soil pollution in Bangladesh is mainly caused by industrial pollution, sewage waste, and agricultural fertilizers. Other factors include the use of chemical fertilizers, rising salinity, use of topsoil in brick kilns, deforestation, and the disposal of electronic and medical waste.
Soil pollution has led to a decline in soil fertility and a lack of necessary nutrients, directly impacting agriculture and the environment. It also poses risks to public health as harmful substances enter the food cycle.
Organic matter is essential for soil health. The presence of 5% organic matter in soil is ideal, while a minimum of 2% is required. However, recent studies indicate that the organic matter in Bangladesh's soil has decreased to less than 2%, affecting soil fertility.
Existing environmental legislations in Bangladesh are insufficient to effectively address soil pollution. However, the country has taken initiatives such as phasing out the use of bricks by 2025 to reduce soil pollution caused by brick kilns. Additionally, studies and assessments are being conducted to understand the extent and causes of soil pollution, aiming to make recommendations for pollution prevention.
