It will be fair enough if we say, we don’t eat without soil. Most of the plant depends on the soil for water, nutrient and support and animals depends on the plants according to the food chain. Sea based food and hydroponics has reduced the importance of soil but trees are the main reason for considering the soil as fundamental. Hence, we can say that soil is the vital part of the natural environment.

Soil pollution means the reduction in the productivity of soil due to the presence of soil pollutants. It causes decrease in the soil fertility, alteration of soil structure, disturbance of the balance between flora and fauna residing in the soil, contamination of the crops, and contamination of groundwater and so on. Soil pollutants includes pesticides, fertilizers, organic manure, chemicals, radioactive wastes, discarded food, clothes, plastics, papers etc. The chemicals like iron, lead, mercury, copper, cyanides, aluminum, zinc, acids and alkalis present in industrial wastes reaches to the soil directly through water and indirectly through air.

The indiscriminate and improper use of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides for so called protection of crops from pest, fungi, etc. alters the basic composition of the soil and makes it toxic. Nitrification also contribute towards water pollution when the nitrites leach out of the soil and accumulate to toxic level in water supply. Hence, intensification of agriculture production by the practice of irrigation, excessive fertilizers, pesticides etc. are the main source of pollution. Industrial activities and acid rain are other reasons for soil pollution.

Effects of soil pollution

1.       Human health: The chemicals may pass to the human body as they consume the crops grown on the polluted soil. Long term exposure to such soil may affect the genetic makeup of the body causing congenital illness and chronic health problems.

2.       Plant Growth: Most of the plants are unable to adapt when the microenvironment of soil changes. Fungi and bacteria found in the soil that bind it together begins to decline which creates the problem of soil erosion.

3.       Soil fertility decrease due to the toxic chemicals.

4.       Toxic dust and foul gases from the landfills.

5.       Changes in soil structure.

6.       Poisoning of the underground water table

Solutions for soil pollution

1. Ban on use of the plastic bags below 20 micron thickness.

2.  Undertaking awareness programs

3. Reducing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

4. Avoid deforestation

5. Recycle and reuse products

6. Encourage social and agro forestry programs

7. Safe disposals of wastes.