DIFFERENT KINDS OF LIQUID POLLUTANTS IN SOIL Soil pollution is a growing problem and understanding what causes it is key to preventing

it. Pollutants in the soil can have a negative impact on plant and animal life and potentially lead to contamination of groundwater. Soil pollution can be limited to surface soil or it can be spread to underground layers, depending on the type of contaminant. Hazardous liquids derived from agricultural, industrial and other activities represent the most type of soil pollutants. Agricultural Pollutants Pesticides, insecticides and herbicides are commonly used in the agriculture industry to treat crops and protect them against the threat of insect infestation or disease. These types of chemical compounds may also be used on a smaller scale to treat lawns, flower beds or gardens. According to Green Pack, the use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides can cause a reduction in soil fertility, pollution of groundwater and contamination of root crops. Liquid fertilizers that contain nitrates, phosphorous or potassium can also lead to deterioration of soil quality, potential groundwater contamination and a general degradation of the quality of crops produced.

advertisement Industrial and Manufacturing Pollutants Industry and manufacturing are also a significant source of liquid pollutants entering the soil. According to Green Pack, power plants, paper plants and companies operating in the iron, steel or chemical industries are responsible for creating hazardous liquid waste. Liquid waste produced by these entities typically enters the soil as waste-water runoff or through illegal or improper dumping. Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, copper and zinc, chromium, mercury and arsenic are often present in industrial waste. As these chemicals are absorbed into the soil, they have the potential contaminate groundwater or be consumed by wildlife, which may allow for the transfer of these compounds up the food chain. Municipal Pollutants The improper management and containment of municipal solid waste can also lead to leakage of hazardous liquids into the soil. According to the National Science Digital Library, the primary sources of municipal waste pollutants include seepage from septic tanks, landfills, sewers or sewage that enters rivers, lakes or other water sources without being processed by a treatment plant. The improper disposal of motor oil, batteries, paint and other chemicals the primary source of pollutants occurring in landfills. Nuclear Waste Liquid nuclear waste also has the potential to contribute to soil pollution. According to the American Nuclear Society, radioactive waste is typically classified according to its purpose, their heat energy

potential and their composition. Low-level waste including waste fluids can be and are disposed of in landfills, leaving open the possibility for seepage. High-level waste, such as spent fuel, is typically buried in a deeper repository, for example the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nuclear waste can remain radioactive for a few hours or a few thousand years, depending on its composition, making proper disposal of liquid waste a top priority. DEFINITION OF SOIL POLLUTION Pollution comes in many forms, and one form of pollution can often increase other forms, such as when rain washes solid waste off the surface of the ground and into water. Soil pollution is a rather insidious form of contamination because of both the range of pollutants and the amount of remediation that the pollution can sometimes require. Definition Soil pollution is the contamination of soil with harmful substances that can adversely affect the quality of the soil and the health of those living on it. Pollution can be the result of an accident or carelessness, or done on purpose through illegal dumping. Pollution is also a by-product of activities as normal as driving or maintaining a farm.

advertisement Process Soil pollution can result from contaminated water absorbing into the soil. Agricultural chemicals can coat the soil, and litter can work its way into the dirt. Pollutants in the air can settle on the ground, such as was the case in Tacoma, Washington, where the State of Washington Department of Ecology says airborne smelter pollutants fell to the ground and contaminated nearly 1,000 square miles. Polluted acid rain can end up in soil, too, and metal-contaminated dust on roads can wash into the soil as part of raininduced run-off. The Food and Fertilizer Technology Center warns that heavy-metal contamination can not only reduce crop yields due to poor soil quality, but result in the crops absorbing the metals. Effects The effects of soil pollution reach across the spectrum from water and air to vegetation, and to human health and society as well. While the specific effects depend on the pollutant, in general they include further environmental contamination as the polluted soil washes into water or is kicked up into the air, and poisoning, such as from lead-tainted soil. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that children can end up accidentally ingesting polluted soil as they play in it.

METHODS OF CONTROL OF SOIL POLLUTION

oil pollution results from the absorption of toxic substances into the ground. These compounds contaminate the soil and lead to water and air pollution. Plants absorb these pollutants and pass them along to the animals and humans who consume them. In addition, soil pollutants seep into water sources or emit toxic gases into the atmosphere as they break down. Prevent Soil Erosion Soil erosion, which leads to the depletion of nutrient-rich topsoil, harms ecosystems and leads to the contamination of underlying layers of soil. Erosion occurs through the natural process of weathering from water and wind and through human activities, such as cutting down forests and over-cultivating land. The Capital Regional District, the regional government for the southern tip of Vancouver Island, advises that people can prevent erosion by avoiding the alteration of natural processes and landscapes as urban areas expand. Vegetation is a key factor in preventing erosion, according to the CRD. People should retain native plants, especially grasses and trees. They should replace trees that are cut down. Farmers can prevent erosion by following agricultural practices that reduce erosion damage, such as minimizing tillage and rotating crops.

advertisement Manage Livestock People keep animals such as chickens, cattle, pigs and horses for both commercial and personal reasons. Livestock manure releases phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium into the soil, which become pollutants as large amounts of these nutrients move through the earth and enter water sources. The University of Michigan warns that nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous damage living organisms in aquatic ecosystems and cause human health problems as they enter drinking water supplies in high concentrations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that stabling large animals on small pieces of land increases the concentration of their wastes and allows more pollutants to seep into the soil. The U.S. EPA advises that the proper storage and disposal of livestock waste can prevent soil pollution. People should construct sturdy storage facilities that are resistant to pests such as rodents and insects, as far away from water supplies as possible. Reduce Pesticide and Fertilizer Use Farmers apply fertilizers such as livestock manure, ammonium and ammonium nitrate directly to fields in order to increase plant growth. The nitrogen in fertilizers can build up in soil and transform into nitrate in the presence of oxygen. Nitrate, a toxic substance that causes cancer, seeps into drinking water supplies, according to Virginia Tech. Pesticides prevent insects and weeds from damaging crops. According to Virginia Tech, pesticide manufacturers use 240 chemicals to create products such as atrazine and DDT. These chemicals accumulate in soil. Reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers helps prevent soil pollution. The University of Michigan advises that farmers should test soil nutrient levels before applying manure as fertilizer.