Soil Pollution
Impacts of Soil Pollution and Human Health
Soil can be defined as the top most covering of the earth surface. Primarily, the weathering and gradual breaking down of different types of rocks form the better part of the earth's soils. Soil is comprised of different inorganic as well as organic components. Some of the main importance of the soil are closely intertwined with the physical, chemical, biological and biochemical properties or rather characteristics of the the specific soil type. The main importance or uses of soil include;
Provision of structural support of plants,
A source of nutrients and minerals to plants
Rich source of ore that provide different metals
Some soil type are used in the construction industry, eg sand soil
Specific soil types of soils are used in pottery and the making of different earthenware
Soil act as a major carbon sink, storing more Carbon dioxide ( Carbon IV Oxide) than the Amazon and Congo forests combined.
Soil shelters a large array of small vertebrates, invertebrates as well as microorganisms.
Soil pollution
Soil pollution is generally defined as the addition of inorganic and organic foreign particulate matter that disrupts the usual physical, chemical and biological composition of the soil. Most of the particles termed as pollutants interfer with role the soil plays as a crucial part of the ecosystem, that is increase toxicity, reduce fertility, reduce aeration within the soil, as well as reduce the water retention of the soil.
Some of the main pollutants include;
(a). Poor agricultural practices, for instance monocropping,
(b). Improper disposal of solid waste
(c ). Leaching from mismanaged land fills and mining sites.
(d). Improper dispose of hazardous chemicals as well as radioactive materials
(e). Damping of waste from industries and households, particularly non-biodegradeable solid and liquid waste
Effects of Soil Pollution to Human Health
One of the core importance of soil particularly to human life is its role as the main source of water, minerals and nutrients to different plants (flora), animals (fauna) and microorganisms. Plants being the primary producers within the hierarchy of the food chain, the role played by the soil cannot be overlooked. Predominantly the soils provision of structural support to plants hence enabling them maximize the uptake of sunlight is core in improving the thriving and hence biodiversity of fauna and flora.
The contamination of soil wIth heavy metal ions, for instance (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn6), nickel (Ni) are biologically toxic. The heavy metal ions adverse effect the uptake of essential mineral and nutrient by plants. Moreover, the high concentration of the these ions within the plants circulation systems have been documented to cause an array of cancers not only to human but also animals once ingested. The recent high prevalence of different kinds of cancers can partially be associated with the consumption of different heavy metal ion absorbed by the plants.
Control Measures
The enactment of proper waste disposal measure is one of the key mitigation strategies that ensure toxic components from household or industrial effluent are safely disposed. Moreover, the adoption of organic farming practices is crucial in reducing the amount of inorganic chemicals used as pest control or soil fertilizers. Organic farming is a method of farming that does not employ synthetic or inorganic farming chemicals and fertilizers.
Extensive sensitization of the adverse effects of soil pollution particularly to farmers in crucial in ensuring soil conservation is upheld
Comments
Post a Comment