SOIL POLLUTION This invisible affliction appears when the concentration of

pollutants on the surface becomes so high that it harms land biodiversity and
endangers health, particularly through food. Activities such as stock breeding and
intensive farming use chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers that pollute the land, just as
happens with heavy metals and other natural and man-made chemical substances.
Soil pollution is a global threat that is particularly serious in regions like Europe,
Eurasia, Asia and North Africa, as indicated by the Food and Agricultural
Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The FAO also affirms that both intense and
even moderate degradation is already affecting one third of the world's soil. Moreover,
recovery is so slow that it would take 1,000 years to create a 1 centimetre layer of
arable soil. Phenomena such as erosion, loss of organic carbon, increased salt
content, compacting, acidification and chemical pollution are the major causes of
current soil degradation. Moreover, the FAO distinguishes between two types of soil
pollution: Specific pollution: accounted for by particular causes, occurring in
small areas the reasons for which can be easily identified. Land pollution
such as this is normally found in cities, old factory sites, around roadways,
illegal dumps and sewage treatment stations. Widespread
pollution: covers extensive areas and has several causes the reasons for
which are difficult to identify. Cases such as these involve the spreading of
pollutants by air-ground-water systems and seriously affect human health
and the environment. The root cause of soil pollution is often one of the
following: 1. Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides) 2. Excessive
industrial activity 3. Poor management or inefficient disposal of waste The
challenges faced in soil remediation (decontamination of soil) are closely
related to the extent of soil pollution. The greater the contamination, the
greater the requirement for resources for remediation. What are the
Processes that Cause Soil Pollution? Soil pollution can be broadly
classified into two categories – Naturally caused soil pollution anthropogenic soil
pollution (caused by human activity)Natural Pollution of Soil In some extremely rare
processes, some pollutants are naturally accumulated in soils. This can occur due to
the differential deposition of soil by the atmosphere. Another manner in which this type
of soil pollution can occur is via the transportation of soil pollutants with precipitation
water.

An example of natural soil pollution is the accumulation of compounds containing the

perchlorate anion (ClO4–) in some dry, arid ecosystems. It is important to note that
some contaminants can be naturally produced in the soil under the effect of certain
environmental conditions. For example, perchlorates can be formed in soils containing
chlorine and certain metals during a thunderstorm. Anthropogenic Soil Pollution
Almost all cases of soil pollution are anthropogenic in nature. A variety of
human activities can lead to the contamination of soil. Some such processes are
listed below. 1. The demolition of old buildings can involve the contamination
of nearby soil with asbestos. 2. Usage of lead-based paint during construction
activities can also pollute the soil with hazardous concentrations of lead. 3.
Spillage of petrol and diesel during transportation can contaminate soils with
the hydrocarbons found in petroleum. 4. Activities associated with metal
casting factories (foundries) often cause the dispersion of metallic
contaminants into the nearby soils. 5. Underground mining activities can cause
the contamination of land with heavy metals. 6. Improper disposal of highly
toxic industrial/chemical waste can severely pollute the soil. For example, the
storage of toxic wastes in landfills can result in the seepage of the waste into
the soil. This waste can go on to pollute groundwater as well. 7. Chemical
pesticides contain several hazardous substances. Excessive and inefficient use
of chemical pesticides can result in severe soil pollution. 8. Sewage produced in
urbanized areas can also contaminate soil (if not disposed of correctly). These
wastes may also contain several carcinogenic substances. 9. Other forms of
waste that can pollute soil include nuclear waste, e-waste, and coal ash.
CONSEQUENCES The toxic substances that are deposited on the earth's
surface harm our health and well-being and affect food, water and air
quality. The most important effects of soil pollution according to IPBES and
the FAO are indicated below: 1. DAMAGE TO HEALTH Soil pollutants enter
our body through the food chain, causing illnesses to appear. Moreover, the
spread of antibiotics in the environment increases the pathogens' resistance
to these drugs. 2. POOR HARVEST Soil pollution agents jeopardise world
food security by reducing the amount and quality of harvests. 3. CLIMATE
CHANGE In the first decade of the 21st century, soil degradation released
between 3.6 and 4.4 billion tonnes of CO into the atmosphere. 4. WATER
2

and AIR pollution Soil degradation affects the quality of air and water,
particularly in developing countries. 5. DESERTIFICATION The number of
inhabitants in the most arid areas of the earth could account for 45 % of the
world's population in 2050, while world wetland areas have decreased in
size by 87 % over the last three centuries. 6. ECONOMIC impact Global
economic losses caused by soil degradation are expected to exceed 10 %
of the world's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
SOLUTIONS Soil degradation is a complex problem that requires governments,
institutions, communities and individuals to take joint measures. The
following are just some of the things we can do to improve its health: 1.
Eat sustainable foodstuffs, properly recycle batteries, produce
homemade compost and dispose of drugs in the places authorised for this
purpose. 2. Encourage a more eco-friendly model for industry, farming
and stock breeding, among other economic activities. 3. Improve
urban planning and transport planning and waste water treatment. 4.
Improve the management of mining waste, restore the landscape and
conserve topsoil. 5. Involve local communities and indigenous
peoples in the design, implementation and assessment of sustainable land
and soil management.
Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, turf, and other
vegetation. In addition to killing insects or weeds, pesticides can
be toxic to a host of other organisms including birds, fish, beneficial
insects, and non-target plants.

Photochemical smog, also known as summer smog, is a type of smog

that is produced when UV light originating from the sun interacts with
the oxides of nitrogen present in the atmosphere. This type of smog
usually manifests as a brown haze and is most commonly seen in
highly populated cities that are placed in relatively warm climates.
Furthermore, photochemical smog is most prominently visible during
the mornings and afternoons. Photochemical form is formed by a
complex series of chemical reactions involving sunlight, oxides of
nitrogen, and volatile organic compounds that are present in the
atmosphere as a result of air pollution. These reactions often result in
the formation of ground level ozone and certain airborne particles.
The formation of photochemical smog is closely related to the
concentration of primary pollutants in the atmosphere. It is also
related to the concentration of secondary pollutants (in some cases).
Common examples of primary pollutants that contribute towards
photochemical smog include oxides of nitrogen such as nitric oxide,
nitrogen dioxide, and nitrous oxide and most VOCs (volatile organic
compounds). Common examples of secondary pollutants that
contribute towards the formation of photochemical smog include
aldehydes, tropospheric ozone, and peroxyacyl nitrates (often
abbreviated to PAN).
Photochemical smog has a number of negative effects on the environment
and human beings. The chemicals contained within it, when combined with
hydrocarbons, form molecules which cause eye irritation. The atmospheric
radicals interfere with the nitrogen cycle by stopping ground level ozone from
being eliminated. Ground level ozone can prove to be extremely toxic to human
beings. Other negative symptoms associated with photochemical smog include
decreased vision and shortness of breath. Photochemical smog is created by
the interaction of sunlight with certain atmospheric chemicals. Ozone is the
principal component of air pollution of this kind. Ozone in the stratosphere
protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation but it is detrimental to human
health when it is present on the ground level.
Measures The most obvious way to minimize photochemical smog levels is to
eliminate the use of fossil fuels by using non-polluting or sustainable sources of
electricity, such as nuclear power, hydropower, and wind power. Attempt to reduce
personal pollutant output. Walk or bike to places that are short distances away
instead of driving. Combine trips and fill up with gasoline after dark. Reduce
electricity usage. Burning coal is the primary source of electrical production, so
avoid excessively using electricity. Turn off lights, air conditioning and electronic
devices when not in use. Arrange to be involved in a local car pool or use public
transportation instead of driving. According to Carpool Connect,"Higher
occupancy rates also can reduce consumption of oil, thereby reducing
corresponding political and economic risks, emissions of greenhouse gases and
common pollution." Install solar panels at your household. Since solar panels
create energy from the sun, very little pollution is created except for the energy
required to manufacture the panel itself. Solar panels are a great way to save on
the electric bill and obtain free energy year-round. Petition your community to
increase public transportation. It's often cheaper to use and can cause a major
smog reduction in urban areas