The reaction

&
fates of pollutants
in the soil
 What is Soil
Pollution?
A destruction in the soil caused
by the presence of human
made (xenobiotics) chemicals
or other alteration in the
natural soil environment,
typically caused by industrial
activity, agricultural chemicals
What causes Soil Pollution?

Soil pollution can be caused

naturally or due to human
activity. However, it mostly
boils down to the activities of
the human that causes the
majority of soil pollution such
as heavy industries, or
 Industrial Activity
Industries are dependent on
extracting materials minerals
from earth whether it is iron, ore
or coal, the by products are
contaminated and are not
disposed of in a manner that can
be considered safe, resulting to
industrial waste lingering in the
soil surface.
Agricultural Activities

Pesticides and herbicides

contains DDT that are generally
insoluble in water and non-
biodegradable. It will not
gradually decompose and
continue to accumulate in tha
soil. Chemicals will increase
when these chemicals get
 Inorganic fertilizers

Excessive use of inorganic

fertilizers leads to acidification
of soil and conatminate the
agricultural soil.
 Waste disposal

Personal waste from humans are

produced through urine and
feces, it moves into the sewer
the system, large amount that is
dumped directly into landfills are
in the form of diapers. Even the
sewer system ends at
the landfills, where the biological
 Accidental Oil spills
Oil leaks  can happen during storage
and transport of chemicals. This can
be seen at most of the fuel stations.
The chemicals present in the fuel
deteriorates the quality of soil and
make them unsuitable for cultivation.
These chemicals can enter into the
groundwater through the soil and
make the water undrinkable.
 Acid Rain

Caused when pollutants

present in the air mix up with
the rain and fall back on the
ground. The polluted
water could dissolve away
some of the important
nutrients found in soil and
Effects of soil pollution
 Who are affected &
Humans how?
- diseases

Plants
- Deprived of
nutrients
Animals
- Ingests toxins & loses
weight
Effect on health of humans
Crops and plants are grown on polluted
soil absorb much of the pollution and
then pass these on to us,this causes the
sudden surge in small and terminal
illnesses. Long term exposure to such
soil can affect the genetic make-up of
the body, causing congenital illnesses
and chronic health problems that cannot
be cured easily. It can sicken the
livestock and cause food poisoning over
Effect on growth of plants

The ecological balance of any system gets

affected due to the widespread
contamination of the soil. Most plants are
unable to adapt the chemistry of the soil
changes in a short period of time. Fungi
and bacteria found in the soil that bind
together begin to decline creating an
additional problem of soil erosion. The
fertility slowly diminishes, making land
unsuitable for agriculture and any local
 Toxic dust

The emission of toxic and foul

gases from landfills pollutes the
environment and causes
serious effects on health.
Changes in soil structure

The death of many soil organisms

(e.g. earthworms) in the soil can
lead to alteration in soil
structure. Apart from that, it
could also force other predators
to move to other places in search
of food.
Long term diseases caused by soil
pollution
Cancer Nervous
including system
lukemia damage
- Contact w/ -Caused by
soil the prescence
contaminated of lead &
with chemicals mostly affects
like gasoline Kidney and children
Liver damage
-Caused by
chemicals
such as
mercury
Short term diseases caused by soil
pollution
• Headache
• Nausea & Vomitting
• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Lung problems
• Fatigue
• Skin rash
• Eye irritations