Soil pollution by Komal Bhardwaj
- 2. Topic: Soil Pollution Subject: EVS Submitted To: Asst. Prof. Kavita Submitted By: Komal Bhardwaj (1322/19) B.Pharm 1st year (2nd Sem) SDPGIPS, Rohtak
- 3. • All the terrestrial organisms including humans interact directly with the surface layer of land i.e., soil as it provides us the basic necessities of life, food, shelter and clothing. • The vital source, soil, is only about 15 cm deep on the land surface throughout. • Apart from natural causes we, the human population contribute to the degradation of our land surface mainly by three ways: by using it (agricultural and developmental activities); by taking things out of it (mining and deforestation); by putting things into it waste disposal).
- 4. The major fallout of our over indulgence with our land areas are as follows: 1. Loss of Biodiversity : • Natural flora and fauna are destroyed due to cutting of vast areas of forests as land is required to fulfill the agricultural and developmental needs, desires and greed of ever growing population of humans. • According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) it is estimated that by the year 2050 up to 50,000 plant species will become extinct or threatened. • Presently about 4,500 animal species and 20,000 plant species are considered by the scientists to be threatened.
- 5. 2. Soil Erosion • It is the process of loosening, detachment and removal of soil components especially the topsoil particles. • Soil erosion is caused by wind blows and water flows. But these forces can damage only if the land surface becomes devoid of vegetation cover. • Excessive loss of topsoil 187 reduces soil fertility and results in deposition of eroded soil in the riverbeds i.e., silting of water bodies.
- 6. 3. Acidity and Alkalinity • Increase in the acidic or alkaline content of the soil reduces its fertility and is not good for certain types of crops. • Minerals like calcium carbonate and alkaline compounds tend to get deposited in the soil if the climate is dry or rainfall is low. This increases the alkalinity of soil. • Unmindful use of land and wrong agricultural practices are the main human generated reasons for such state of soil.
- 7. 4. Land Pollution by Waste Deposition • We can call our land area as an ultimate garbage can as waste generated mainly by human activities is dumped in it as well as buried in it. • As in other Asian countries, in India most of the solid waste is land filled. • All types of waste is dumped in the landfills and when water seeps through them it gets contaminated and in turn pollutes the surrounding areas. • This contamination of soil and ground water through landfills is known as leaching. • The uncovered, untreated and unsegregated solid wastes are also left in open dumps. • The rainwater run-off from such dumpsites contaminates nearby land and water bodies.
- 9. Thank you