What Are Some of the Dangers of Soil Pollution?
Soil pollution refers to the contamination caused by a concentration of toxic compounds, salts, radioactive materials, chemicals, heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, mercury and zinc), herbicides, oils, pesticides, tars, dioxins and PCBs. Soil pollution is caused by multiple factors like increasing urbanization, increasing agriculture, domestic waste, agriculture activities and industrial activities. All these human activities lead to waste generation which leads to soil pollution when the waste is not managed properly.
Dangers to Health
Soil pollution can lead to numerous health problems. People exposed to polluted soil report increased occurrence of nausea, migraines, fatigue, skin disorders and miscarriages. Long-term exposure to polluted soil could lead to leukemia, cancer, reproductive disorders, liver and kidney damage and nervous systems disorders. Children exposed to polluted soil show a weak immune system and report developmental problems.
Dangers to Agriculture
Soil pollution causes dangers through agricultural produce. Crops grown in polluted soil absorb the toxic chemicals. These chemicals are passed on to people or animals that consume the polluted crops. It may also destroy whole crops, causing famine. With the addition of contaminants to the soil, beneficial microorganisms may either be killed or will move off. This affects the fertility of the land, leading to reduced crop yields. It could mean reduction in nitrogen fixation, which harms the legume crops, and loss of soil fertility with increased erosions.
Dangers to Water Sources
The contaminants causing soil pollution seep into the land and reach the natural underground water reservoir causing contamination of water sources. This contaminated water, when used for agriculture or human consumption, poses a danger to well-being. Increased contamination of the soil could lead to underground landfill gases which may explode, causing widespread destruction.
Dangers to Animals and Birds
Microorganisms living in polluted soil absorb the contaminants. Birds and animals feeding on these contaminated organisms face multiple dangers. Birds like the brown pelican, bald eagle and peregrine falcon are now endangered due to soil pollution. Their consumption of insects and worms contaminated with DDT led to thin eggshells. These eggs could not support the incubating unborn and broke. This led to a fall in their population.
Dangers to Wildlife
Water runoff from polluted soil brings the contamination into water sources like rivers and ponds. These harmful components pollute the water causing havoc in the delicate ecosystem. Aquatic plants and animals suffer from diseases and may even face death. Polluted soil affects forest cover, too, which deprives the wild fauna of habitat.
Tags: polluted soil, polluted soil, could lead, Dangers Soil, Dangers Soil Pollution, exposed polluted