Soil Pollution

• Soil Pollution refers to all forms of pollution affecting any type of soil: agricultural, forestry, urban, etc. It is a disruptive element for many biological resources and ecosystems.
• When do we say that the soil is polluted?

  > When it contains an abnormal concentration of chemical compounds (such as pesticides, petroleum) potentially dangerous to human health, plants or animals.
• Causes/Sources of Soil Pollution

  1. Garbage (landfill) - household wastes
  2. Factories - toxic wastes & chemical wastes
  3. Farming - insecticides, pesticides, clearing land area
  4. Mining - Dust, broken rock pieces, sludge and waste mineral water, toxins
• Effects on Environment

  • Contamination of groundwater, loss of topsoil, and increased risk of wildfires (because of the dry conditions created by the pollutants in the soil.)
• Effects on Wildlife

  • As land pollution and soil erosion progress, animals are forced to shift habitats and adapt to new conditions. As a result, some species are at risk of extinction.
• Effect on Human Health

  • Breathing disorders, birth defects, skin diseases, and cancer.