Sources of Soil Pollution
A wrapper from a fast food restaurant blows across the street. Over time, this wrapper flips and turns until it stops next to a building. Over time, dirt and plant matter accumulate to bury this piece of trash. Another piece of trash impacts the environment. Soil pollution occurs from trash thrown onto the ground and exposure from landfills. Acid rain and the application of herbicides and pesticides on lawn and crops can also cause soil pollution. Let's look at the major sources of soil pollution.
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Significance
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The pollution of soil has lasting effects that reach far beyond the patch of grass in front of your home. Beneath your home lies an underground water supply called groundwater. Groundwater supplies are replenished with each rain event. As a result, pollution at the surface level percolates through the layers of soil to this underground water supply. Soil pollution damages crops as well as limits growth potential of edible food crops.
Acid Rain
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Acid rain has become a standard part of our water cycle. The water cycle begins with collection of water droplets off the ocean into clouds. The clouds then move over land, dumping the load of droplets in the form of rain, snow or sleet. Once the cloud releases these droplets, outdoor air quality becomes an issue. Droplets traveling through heavily polluted air capture the acid particles. These entrapped particles are released into the soil when the droplets hit the ground as rain or snow.
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Industrial Pollution
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In a perfect world, every industry would act responsibly and never pollute the environment if it could be avoided. In reality, incidences of soil pollution occur every day. Industrial runoff finds its way into stream beds and rivers contaminating the soil along the banks. Many industries contribute to the pollution in the air as well. Chemical, electrical and machine factories generate pollution, as do food, paper and agricultural sources. Some industries dump harmful waste products that contain chemicals such as radioactive materials, ammonia, acids and other harsh chemicals.
Herbicides & Pesticides
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Weed killers (herbicides) and pesticides to kill insects seeps into the soil. This affects the soil at a biological level, killing organisms that live in the soil as well as insects and pests. Natural bacteria in the soil carry nutrients to the roots of plants. Topical applications of herbicides and pesticides upset this balance. In addition, rain can cause runoff that transports both herbicides and pesticides to local streams and rivers. This pollutes the water source and the soil near the water source.
Waste Disposal Sites
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Landfills and dumps contaminate soil by the very nature of their operations. As waste decomposes, it seeps into the soil and contaminates groundwater supplies. Runoff pollutes the soil in areas surrounding the landfill. Other sources that directly affect soil include excavations and mines. In many cases, heavy chemicals used during mine excavation get entrapped in the soil. This form of residue can contaminate the soil long into the future.
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References
- Photo Credit D3designs: Morguefile
