Environmental pollution

AIR.WATER. SOIL. LIGHT. NOISE (Part 2)

Soil Properties
Definition
• soil pollution is defined as the change in
physical, chemical and biological conditions of
the soil through man’s intervention resulting
in degradation in quality
• 2 components: solid waste and soil pollution
• 2 types: natural causes and manmade causes
• natural: landslides, flooding, hurricanes etc.
• man-made= wastes: urbanisation, industrial
wastes, mining, agricultural, domestic,
garbage and radioactive
Definition
2 components:
 solid waste and soil pollution
2 types: natural causes and manmade causes
 natural: landslides, flooding, hurricanes etc.
 man-made= wastes: industrial wastes, mining, agricultural,
domestic, garbage etc.
contaminants in soils depends on several physical and
chemical processes:
 reduction/oxidation (redox), absorption,
 precipitation and desorption
Whether a soil absorbs or releases a pollutant depends on:
 types of mineral present, amount of organic material
present
 soil ph level (acidity), redox potential and moisture
Land: Solid Waste Issues
landfill and municipal waste
contamination of soil due to landfills and municipal waste water
industrial and hazardous waste
discharge of toxic, flammable, non- biodegradable substances
erosion, mining and quarrying waste
non-renewable substances and valuable minerals are extracted from
earth that change the composition of soil
pesticides and agricultural waste
chemical fertilizers like pesticides
domestic or household solid waste
food wastes, paper, glass, plastic materials, cans and metal cylinders
chemical, nuclear and radioactive waste
nuclear power plants, nuclear testing, and explosion results to
variable amount of radioactive materials to soil
Land: Soil Pollution Issues
Chemical Contamination
Plastics, toxins in wastes and other chemicals seep into the ground
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Contaminate the Ground
POPs in pesticides, insecticides etc., takes a long time
POPs by-products are also produced by burning coal, peat, wood, hospital waste,
hazardous waste, municipal waste and from car emissions
Impact on Biodiversity
adverse effect on the food-chain, that affect the fora, fauna and human life
adverse effect and threat to marine life due to bioaccumulation
damage soil fertility affect plant growth and the food source of the ecosystem
Spread of Invasive Species
soil pollution will affect native plants while invasive weeds can propagate
Loss of Soil Fertility
excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides kills beneficial soil microorganisms
adverse impact on the energy and nutrient cycle of the ecosystem
Soil Degradation
deforestation, irrigation, land conversion, quarrying, mining … erosion etc.
 Main Soil Potential Specific Sources
pollutant
Mercury (Hg)  mining
 incineration of coal
 alkali and metal
processing
 medical and other waste
 volcanoes and geologic
deposits (natural sources)
 accumulation in plants
and vegetables grown on
polluted soils
Some Common Symptoms/Effects
of Poisoning with the Polluted Soil
• Itching, burning, pain
• damage to brain kidney and lungs
• pink disease (acrodynia) – skin
discoloration (pink cheeks,
fingertips, toes), while red cheeks
and nose in affected children
• desquamation (peeling off in
layers of dead skin)
• high blood pressure and
hypersalivation
• tachycardia
• loss of hair, teeth, nails,
photofobia
• kidney dysfunction
• memory impairment
• insomnia - in children
 Some Common Symptoms/Effects
Main Soil pollutant Potential Specific Sources of Poisoning with the Polluted Soil

Arsenic (As)  Mining  If ingested –the most specific

 Coal-fired power plants effects relates to skin pattern
 Lumber facilities (used changes
as CCA – chromate  cancer (including liver, kidney,
copper arsenate in bladder, prostate and lung
pressure treated wood) cancer)
 Electronic Industry  also at lower doses the
 Foundry activities digestive system may be
 Agriculture (Pesticides - affected with symptoms such
including some of those as: nausea vomiting, stomach
currently used) irritation, diarrhea, damage of
 Natural accumulation blood vessels
under specific  If inhaled – skin changes;
conditions  irritation of throat and lungs,
circulatory problems
 nervous system disorders
 Some Common
Main Soil pollutant Potential Specific Sources Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the
Polluted Soil
Other metals (Mn,  Mining • Depend on metals
Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, etc.)  Foundry activities
 Construction activities
PAHs (polyaromatic  coal burning and vehicle emissions • harm to skin, body
hydrocarbos)  accumulation in plants and fluids, and autoimmune
vegetables grown on polluted soils system
 cigarette smoke and wood burning • eye irritation
 wildfires, agricultural burning • nausea and vomiting
 asphalt roads (construction • diarrhea
activities) • cataracts
 industrial plants (e.g., coal tar, • kidney and liver damage
bitumen, coal-gasification) • cancer (skin, lung,
 accumulation in plants and bladder,
vegetables grown on polluted soils gastrointestinal)
 construction activities
Herbicides and  Agricultural activities • large range of effects
Insecticides Gardening • skin rashes
• death
THINK TANK…
THINK TANK…
Action Plan

http://www.sustainability.umd.edu/content/campus/recycling_what.php