Soil Pollution

Human Effect on Soil

Written by Caleb Paik

Soil is essential in our lives. It acts as a water filter, provides habitat, contributes to biodiversity, and supplies many of the antibiotics used to fight diseases. So, why are we polluting it?

First, we need to know what soil pollution is. The Environmental Pollution Centers states that soil pollution is the presence of toxic chemicals in high concentrations that are enough to pose a threat to humans. Causes of soil pollution include:

• Biological Agents, such as bacteria and fungi, work inside of soil to introduce manures from organisms. 

• Agricultural Practices cause the soil to pollute to a great extent. For example, fertilizers add an abundant amount of nitrogen in soil, harming its nutrients.

• Radioactive Pollutants, such as radium and uranium, infiltrates soil and adds toxic chemicals. 

• Urban Waste consists of garbage and rubbish materials, overall harming the environment.

• Industrial Waste includes steel, pesticides, glass, and cement, which are all noxious to the environment.

All of these pollutants have a major effect. Soil pollution is detrimental to anyone that is susceptible, including animals, humans and plants. However, factors such as age and general health status come into play. For example, children are more vulnerable to contaminants compared to adults because they come in more contact with soil. However, old adults are more susceptible to disease due to having a weaker immune system. Overall, the effects of soil pollution has its differences depending on certain factors. 

Finally, we can now go back to our main question: Why are humans polluting soil? Although there isn’t a definite answer, humans cause soil pollution mainly because of other work. This includes mining, industry, military activities, and so much more. However, it can also be an accidental or a deliberate cause, such as an improper disposal of waste which fits into both terms. Altogether, it is obvious that pollution overall is noxious to our world, but humans continue to do it. Therefore, I hope this report will spread awareness to decrease the amount of pollution there is in our world. 

References 

• https://www.soils.org/files/science-policy/sssa-marketing-2013.pdf

• https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/