Soil Pollution
Soil pollution is the contamination of soil with abnormally high levels of toxic substances.
It is a major environmental concern because it poses numerous health risks. Exposure to soil containing high concentrations of benzene, for example, increases the risk of developing leukaemia. Xenobiotics, which are substances that do not occur naturally in nature but are synthesized by humans, are among the most dangerous soil pollutants. Several xenobiotics have been identified as carcinogens.
The following are the various types of pollutants found in contaminated soil:
- Heavy Metals: Heavy metals (such as lead and mercury in abnormally high concentrations) in soils can cause them to become highly toxic to humans. These metals can come from a variety of sources, including mining, agriculture, electronic waste (e-waste), and medical waste.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: They are organic compounds with only carbon and hydrogen atoms and multiple aromatic rings in their chemical structures. Naphthalene, anthracene, and phenalene are three examples. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure has been linked to several types of cancer. These organic compounds have also been linked to cardiovascular disease in humans. Soil pollution caused by PAHs can be traced back to coke (coal) processing, vehicle emissions, cigarette smoke, and shale oil extraction.
- Industrial Waste: The discharge of industrial waste into the soil can pollute the soil.
Environmental Pollution : Effects, Types of Environmental Pollution and their Causes
The environment is defined as a physical system’s surroundings, which may interact with other systems by exchanging mass and energy. All living and nonliving things are included in the natural environment. Because the environment is the setting in which we live, it is our responsibility to keep it safe from harm. Environmental pollution is one of the most serious issues confronting human society today. The three basic areas of environmental pollution are air, water, and soil.