are an attractive solution for metallic and dye pollutants, principally based on the
process of simple magnetic separation (Kumar Reddy and Lee 2012).
The importance of recuperation of resources from waste water is increasing
globally and, attracted the interest of most of the researchers. Still, as far the
contained nutrients are concerned, there has been relatively limited transfer of
important research finding into practical operational outcomes. Desalination is
another logical option which is used widely in a world where there is scarcity of
fresh water and in many cities, which are situated near the ocean.
1.3.3 Toxicology of Soil Pollution and Its Treatment
Soil is a precious resource. Our ecosystem requires clean and healthy soil for healthy
crop production. Anything that we consume as a food comes directly or indirectly
from our soil. But due to unrestrained industrial activities and unregulated government policies toward waste disposal of societies, our soil is being polluted at a rapid
rate. Following subsections explain in detail the harmful effects of soil pollution on
environment along with some methods to treat this polluted soil.
1.3.3.1 Impact of Soil Pollution
Anthropogenic activities such as industrial activity, chemicals used in agriculture
and improper disposal of waste are the main reason for soil pollution. Soil pollution
disturbs the ecological balance and causes hazardous health effects in human beings.
Moreover, crops cannot grow and flourish in a contaminated soil, however if grow,
they might have absorbed toxic chemicals and cause severe health issues in humans
consuming them. Sometimes, the increased salinity of the soil causes soil pollution
which becomes harmful for vegetation. It modifies the soil structure causing deaths
of various valuable organisms (e.g., Pheretima posthuma). Furthermore, also reducing the ability of the soil to support life, thus affect the larger predators like birds and
force them to move in the search of food. There is an occurrence of higher incidences
of migraine, nausea, fatigue, skin diseases and even miscarriages in humans living
near polluted lands (Pierzynski et al. 2000).
Depending on the types of pollutants and their concentration present in the soil,
several long-term effects of soil pollution are reproductive disorders, cancer, leukemia, liver and kidney damage, and failure of central nervous system. These health
problems could be because of direct poisoning by the contaminated land
(e.g. children playing on land filled with toxic waste) or by indirect poisoning
(like consuming crops grown on polluted land, drinking water infected by the
leaching of chemicals from the contaminated land to the water supply, etc.) (Mishra
et al. 2016).
Health effects will be different depending on what kind of pollutant is in the soil.
It can range from developmental problems, such as in children exposed to lead, to
cancer from chromium and some chemicals found in fertilizer, whether those
chemicals are still used or have been banned but are still found in the soil. Some
soil contaminants increase the risk of leukemia, while others can lead to kidney
14
S. Negi et al.
process of simple magnetic separation (Kumar Reddy and Lee 2012).
The importance of recuperation of resources from waste water is increasing
globally and, attracted the interest of most of the researchers. Still, as far the
contained nutrients are concerned, there has been relatively limited transfer of
important research finding into practical operational outcomes. Desalination is
another logical option which is used widely in a world where there is scarcity of
fresh water and in many cities, which are situated near the ocean.
1.3.3 Toxicology of Soil Pollution and Its Treatment
Soil is a precious resource. Our ecosystem requires clean and healthy soil for healthy
crop production. Anything that we consume as a food comes directly or indirectly
from our soil. But due to unrestrained industrial activities and unregulated government policies toward waste disposal of societies, our soil is being polluted at a rapid
rate. Following subsections explain in detail the harmful effects of soil pollution on
environment along with some methods to treat this polluted soil.
1.3.3.1 Impact of Soil Pollution
Anthropogenic activities such as industrial activity, chemicals used in agriculture
and improper disposal of waste are the main reason for soil pollution. Soil pollution
disturbs the ecological balance and causes hazardous health effects in human beings.
Moreover, crops cannot grow and flourish in a contaminated soil, however if grow,
they might have absorbed toxic chemicals and cause severe health issues in humans
consuming them. Sometimes, the increased salinity of the soil causes soil pollution
which becomes harmful for vegetation. It modifies the soil structure causing deaths
of various valuable organisms (e.g., Pheretima posthuma). Furthermore, also reducing the ability of the soil to support life, thus affect the larger predators like birds and
force them to move in the search of food. There is an occurrence of higher incidences
of migraine, nausea, fatigue, skin diseases and even miscarriages in humans living
near polluted lands (Pierzynski et al. 2000).
Depending on the types of pollutants and their concentration present in the soil,
several long-term effects of soil pollution are reproductive disorders, cancer, leukemia, liver and kidney damage, and failure of central nervous system. These health
problems could be because of direct poisoning by the contaminated land
(e.g. children playing on land filled with toxic waste) or by indirect poisoning
(like consuming crops grown on polluted land, drinking water infected by the
leaching of chemicals from the contaminated land to the water supply, etc.) (Mishra
et al. 2016).
Health effects will be different depending on what kind of pollutant is in the soil.
It can range from developmental problems, such as in children exposed to lead, to
cancer from chromium and some chemicals found in fertilizer, whether those
chemicals are still used or have been banned but are still found in the soil. Some
soil contaminants increase the risk of leukemia, while others can lead to kidney
14
S. Negi et al.