Information About Soil Pollution

Soil pollution can leach into rivers.

Soil pollution remains one of the gravest environmental concerns as it can contaminate our food supply and potable water resources. Even small amounts of soil pollution can cause severe health effects, and decontaminating soil is not an easy process.

Identification

Soil pollution includes anything that does not occur naturally in soil; this might be chemicals and certain minerals, or higher-than-normal concentrations of substances, according to PollutionIssues.

Types

Soil pollution falls into the category of organic or inorganic. Organic soil pollution contains carbon compounds such as fossil fuels. Inorganic pollution is everything but carbon, such as heavy metals and radiation.

Effects

Polluted soil contaminates our food supply and animals. Soil pollution can make its way into the air when organic matter decays into sulfur dioxide, and into water when chemicals leach into rivers and aquifers.

Fun Fact

The pesticide DDT, used on plants and soil for many decades, was banned in the 1970s when studies found that even small amounts collected and made their way up the food chain to humans.

Prevention/Solution

The most effective and environmentally sound way to reclaim polluted soil is to increase the amount of naturally occurring bacteria and microorganisms that decompose contaminants.

References

• Pollution Issues: Soil Pollution