When we think of land pollution, we see images of smoggy cities or plastic bags on the streets. So, what is land pollution? It refers to the deterioration of the earth’s land surface and ground level; it sums up the definition of pollution.
It occurs when trash, compost and other toxins go into the land; most of them end up in sewage or, worst case, in the ocean. Another example of soil pollution would be when we litter the earth’s surface; some of the toxins go down in the rainwater, which is one of the sources of land pollution.
Land Pollution Causes
Soil pollution is a form of land pollution in which human activities harm the soil’s upper layer. Various factors contribute to what causes pollution and how it affects the land. One of them is the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that contribute to the types of soil pollution. Let’s have a look at it in detail.
Related article: Air Quality and Environmental Health
1. Agricultural Activities
Agriculture is the foundation for both everyday life as well as the economy as a whole. Its pollution occurs when pesticides, herbicides, bactericides, and fertilizers are the only option for better crop production, but in return, they contribute to earth pollution.
2. Mining
Mining is a process of extracting minerals and other materials from the ground. These are used to produce gasoline for automobiles, generate electricity or other metals and gold. Mining harms the ecosystem by destroying habitats and polluting surface water, groundwater and soil. However, solar and wind energy are some of the ways to reduce land pollution.
3. Urbanization
While urbanization is not itself land pollution but a contribution and is one of the many sources of land pollution.To accommodate the increasing human population, construction activities will occur, which results in many waste materials such as wood, plastic or metals that further contributes to earth pollution.
4. Nuclear Waste
Nuclear plants can produce a large amount of energy through nuclear fission and fusion. Radioactive fallouts from explosions or radioactive waste from nuclear research stations are different types of soil pollution. These materials have a long life and can survive in the soil for a more extended period, causing land pollution.
Land Pollution Effects
1. Respiratory Problems
Land pollution causes and effects go hand and hand; the reasons will affect human health, and humans are the ones causing land pollution. Air pollution can irritate your airways, causing shortness of breath, coughing or leading to serious issues like asthma.
2. Soil Pollution
Land pollution leads to soil pollution and causes agricultural harm. Overusing chemical fertilizers not only affects the soil but pollutes groundwater as well. The groundwater pollution can, in turn, contaminate nutrients present in the soil.
3. Climate Change
In the bigger picture, landfills are one of the sources of land pollution which directly or indirectly affects climate patterns. Land contamination caused by mining, industries or factories may allow harmful chemicals to enter the soil, water and even air. These chemicals can kill animals and plants, which destroys the food chain. The irregular pattern of food chain and contamination by mining can cause acid rains, droughts and heat waves.
4. Drinking-Water Problem
Drinking water is highly affected by land pollution. Since groundwater contamination occurs due to soil pollution, most people still use well as their primary water source in drinking and household activities.
How to Prevent Land Pollution
We often ask ourselves how to protect the environment from pollution? Well, there are simple yet many ways to reduce land pollution.
1. Limit Use of Chemical Fertilizer and Pesticides
Farmers should be encouraged to use alternative methods that will not cause soil pollution and can help crop production. Switching to biochar or fertilizers instead of chemicals is one of the ways to reduce land pollution.
2. Reforestation
Reforestation involves replanting trees and plants. Where a wildfire or industrialization is going on, you can plant as many trees you can to help recover the environment, ecosystem, and ultimately prevent earth pollution.
3. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse
The three R’s of the environment where you can recycle your materials instead of throwing them away which can contribute to land pollution. With growing awareness there are plenty of ways you can reuse your materials in many efficient ways to reduce land pollution.
Land pollution is an issue that humanity have faced over the years, and it can be reduced if we take a stand against it. There are several causes of land pollution but many ways to prevent it. Take a pledge to find ways to reduce land pollution and make our earth a healthy place to live in.