√ Definition of Soil Pollution, Causes and Ways to Overcome It

Definition of Soil Pollution, Causes and Ways to Overcome It – On this occasion will discuss about Soil Pollution. Which in this discussion explains starting from the notion of soil pollution, its causes, impacts and how to deal with it briefly and clearly. For more details, let's see the review About Knowledge the following.

Definition of Soil Pollution, Causes and Ways to Overcome It

Soil pollution is a condition in which the quality of the soil is disrupted due to the influence of chemicals entering it. The cause of soil pollution is due to the presence of garbage and waste due to human activities. Either solid waste or liquid waste. So that the impact of soil pollution causes a lot of harm to humans and the environment.

There are various types of soil that are easily or prone to contamination. Soil pollution occurs all around us. Soil becomes infertile and decreases in quality. The view becomes unsightly because of the large amount of trash and waste. Not to mention the smell it creates is clearly disturbing the people around it.

The cause of soil pollution is caused by various types of waste, either liquid waste or solid waste. Organic waste or inorganic waste as well as industrial, household or agricultural waste. As a result of soil pollution can have many negative effects and impacts on the environment.

Now, this time we will discuss what soil pollution means and its causes, effects, pollutants and ways to deal with soil pollution.

Definition of Soil Pollution

The definition of soil pollution is a condition where man-made chemicals enter and change the natural soil environment. This causes a decrease in the quality of the soil, which becomes damaged and polluted due to the influence of these chemicals.

Generally, soil contamination occurs due to leakage of liquid waste or industrial chemicals. The main cause of soil pollution is waste and garbage, both from households, agriculture or the industrial sector.

The impact of soil pollution can also have an effect on humans, animals, plants and the environment. Soil becomes infertile, agricultural productivity decreases, plants wither and have an impact on human health as well.

Causes of Soil Pollution

What are the causes of soil pollution? Soil pollution is caused by various types of waste that are disposed of. The following are the types of causes of soil pollution and their explanations.

Liquid waste

Liquid waste is one of the biggest factors causing soil pollution. Usually liquid waste is produced from industrial and factory disposal, in the form of hazardous chemicals that can contaminate the soil. Liquid waste easily seeps into the soil and destroys its contents from within.

Solid waste

In addition to liquid waste, solid waste can also contaminate the soil. Many types of solid waste come from industrial waste, it can also be sludge or unused material. Unused solid waste also has a content that is harmful to the soil.

Organic Waste

The definition of organic waste is a type of waste that can be broken down again by microorganisms in the soil so that it is not too dangerous. Even so, this waste can still contaminate the soil. Examples of organic waste such as oil, paint, plant waste and so on.

Inorganic Waste

In contrast to organic waste, inorganic waste is a type of waste that cannot be decomposed by microorganisms in the soil. Examples of inorganic waste are drink bottles, plastic, used cans and so on. Inorganic waste can also make the soil polluted.

Industrial waste

Basically most of the waste comes from industrial waste. Industrial waste can consist of liquid or solid waste and organic or inorganic waste as discussed above. Industrial waste also comes from various sectors, from factories, companies, restaurants, hotels, tourism, government and so on.

Agricultural Waste

Agricultural waste is waste generated from the agricultural sector. For example, waste from the use of fertilizers or pesticides. Agricultural waste has a big contribution to causing soil pollution around rice fields, including damage to crop yields and also crop yields that are no longer optimal.

Household waste

Household waste is a type of waste that is around us, which is generated from homes. Included as household waste is the waste resulting from everyday human life. This waste can cause soil pollution and also water pollution.

Natural disasters

The occurrence of natural disasters can also be a factor causing soil pollution, be it earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides or volcanic eruptions. Soil will become polluted because the structure of the soil has been mixed with other substances.

Forest fires

Forest fires can also cause soil pollution. Forests that have been burned are usually difficult to replant because of the content of important substances in the soil that have died and been damaged by fire. In addition, forest fires can also cause air pollution.

Impact of Soil Pollution

There are several impacts and consequences of soil pollution that can be detrimental. The negative impact of soil pollution is harmful to humans, living things and also the surrounding environment.

Soil Becomes Infertile

One of the main impacts of soil pollution is the decrease in soil quality. As a result the land becomes infertile. This is certainly detrimental, because fertile land can be used for growing plants, agricultural purposes or other things.

Cause Disease Outbreaks

Soil pollution has a negative impact on human health. There are many chemical substances in soil pollution that cause disease, for example lead substances that cause brain damage, benzene substances that have an impact on leukemia, mercury substances have an impact on kidney disorders and etc.

Many Plants Wither and Die

Soil pollution has an impact on plant growth and development. Plants will not be able to thrive in polluted or infertile soil. Plants that initially thrive, will gradually wither, even die.

Damaging Aesthetics

The existence of soil pollution will have a negative impact in the form of damage to the landscape and aesthetics. Piles of garbage and waste on the ground are certainly unsightly and very bad in terms of aesthetics. The area around the occurrence of pollution certainly experiences this impact.

Ecosystem Damage

The impact of soil pollution can also damage terrestrial ecosystems. This is due to disturbed soil quality, which can damage the existing food chain structure. As a result, the balance of the ecosystem around the area of ​​soil contamination is disturbed as well.

Agricultural Yields Decreased

The agricultural sector also suffers from soil pollution. Changes in plant metabolism will have an impact on decreasing agricultural yields. Plants will not be able to grow optimally so that agricultural land also becomes infertile. As a result, productivity in the agricultural sector also declined.

Erosion

Erosion is the event of removing solids due to the transport of wind, water or ice, characteristics of rain and other materials. Soil contamination can also cause erosion.

Gives Off Bad Odor

Soil contamination also causes an unpleasant odor. This smell is due to the presence of garbage, sewage or other chemicals that contaminate the soil. As a result, people around the location will smell an unpleasant odor which of course will disturb people who are active near that location.

Soil Salinity Increases

The negative impact of soil pollution can cause soil salinity to increase. Soils with increased salinity make the land unfit for vegetation so that the land will be left barren and useless.

Examples of Soil Pollution

What are some examples of soil pollution? Here are some examples of soil pollution around us in the form of substances that are usually the source of soil pollution.

• Bio-pollutants, derived from the results of human and animal excretion.
• Radioactive pollutants, derived from human activities such as nitrogen, uranium, thorium and so on.
• Urban waste, originating from households and urban areas such as plastic, domestic waste and other waste materials.
• Agricultural and plantation waste, such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, lime, compost and so on.
• Industrial waste, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, nickel and so on.

Ways to Overcome Soil Pollution

There are several ways to deal with soil pollution. This method of handling can be distinguished from prevention or overcoming after soil pollution has occurred. Here are some ways to deal with soil pollution.

1. Soil Remediation

Soil remediation is carried out to clean the soil surface that is being polluted by waste or other chemicals. There are two ways to clean up contaminated soil surfaces, namely through in-situ remediation and ex-situ remediation.

In-situ or on-site cleaning is cleaning on site. This cleaning is cheaper and easier. Its activities consist of cleaning, venting (injection) and bioremediation processes.

Ex-situ or off-site cleanup involves excavating the contaminated soil and then transporting it to a safe area. After that in a safe area, the land is cleaned of contaminants. This off-site cleaning is much more expensive and also more complicated.

1. Bioremediation

Bioremediation is a way to clean up soil contamination by using microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. The aim of bioremediation is to break down or degrade pollutant substances into less toxic or non-toxic materials, such as carbon dioxide and water.

So that's a reference regarding soil pollution, starting from the definition of soil pollution, causes of soil pollution, impacts soil pollution, soil pollutants and ways to deal with soil pollution, are discussed with a complete explanation.

Thus a brief review about Definition of Soil Pollution, Causes and Ways to Overcome It. Hopefully it can be useful and add knowledge to all of us. Thank You.