Sources of Soil Pollution

Abstract

Soil, though often overlooked, is a critical component of the earth and is essential for human existence. Soil pollution has deteriorated large areas of agricultural land around the globe. Human health is at risk due to the high concentration of pollutants found in soils and food produced in polluted lands. Soil pollution may arise from a wide range of sources that can be discrete point sources, or diffuse sources. It is usually due to domestic, municipal, industrial, mining, and agricultural wastes as well as agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. Each source has specific characteristics, briefly presented below. The most dangerous categories of soil pollutants are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyl, pesticides, heavy metals, and radionuclides. New soil pollutants, such as veterinary medicines, have emerged with industrialization and globalization. This chapter deals with sources of soil pollution, pollutants generated from these sources and their possible adverse effects on the environment.