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values of one or more substances such as lead that exceeded the standards
that are recommended for safety (Palansooriya et al., 2020).
Sustainable soil management for all soils is recognized as an important
goal for society by FAO, and guidelines and principles have been developed (FAO, 2015, 2017). The guidelines include as follows: (i) minimize
soil erosion; (ii) enhance soil organic matter content; (iii) foster soil nutrient balance and cycles; (iv) minimize soil salinization and alkalinization;
(v) minimize soil contamination; (vi) minimize soil acidification; (vii) preserve and enhance soil biodiversity; (viii) minimize soil sealing; (ix) prevent
and mitigate soil compaction; (x) Improve soil water management. Soil biodiversity and soil organic matter content are related because carbon, nutrients, and energy to support microorganisms and soil fauna are provided by
the soil organic matter.
The principles in the soil charter recognize soil as a key resource that
provides ecosystem services for food security. Sustainable soil management is based on knowledge of the physical, chemical, and biological state
of the soil, and education about soils is beneficial. Global biodiversity of soil
organisms is an important resource that needs to be sustained (FAO, 2015).
6.4 Soil Health Affects Human Health
Soil health has an impact on human health. The state of physical, mental, and
social well-being is important for good human health (Brevik et al., 2020). The
goal to create social and physical environments that contribute positively to
good human health for all includes high-quality soil health that functions as
a vital living ecosystem for growing plants that are beneficial to animal and
human health. One example of soil health impacting human health is hypothyroidism/multinodular goiter because of soil deficiency in iodine. Another
example is metal concentrations in foods that exceed the acceptable limits
based on food safety (Brevik et al., 2020). Brevik et al. (2020) contains extensive tables on (i) properties of soils that may affect human health, such as
zinc deficiency; (ii) persistent organic pollutants identified by the Stockholm
Convention, such as chlordane; and (iii) human pathogens found in soil, such
as Salmonella. Metals in soils are a global problem because of soil contamination associated with military activities, mining, industrial operations, and
irrigation of crops with wastewater. The metals find their way into foods and
are ingested, and inhalation of dust with metals is of concern. Pesticides are
a major concern in many locations because about 25 million people working
in agriculture are affected by pesticides each year (Brevik et al., 2020).
Phytoremediation is one of the better methods to improve soil health where
pesticide-contaminated soil is found (Tarla et al., 2020). Micro- and macroorganisms in soil affect plant growth and health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal