damage, liver problems and changes in the central nervous system (Owa 2014;
Evans et al. 2018). The short-term effects of soil pollutants are nausea, headaches,
fatigue and skin diseases. The causes of soil pollution are many; Fig. 1.7 depicts
some of the major causes of soil pollution in pictorial form.
1.3.3.2 Remediations/Treatment of Soil Pollution
There are several ways to acquire soil back to its pristine state or to eliminate the
polluted soil so, that the land can be utilized again for agriculture.
• It can be controlled by a variety of forestry and farm practices e.g., planting trees
on barren slopes. Contour cultivation and strip cropping may be applied instead of
shifting cultivation.
• In the long-term, soil erosion can be arrested by avoiding deforestation and
substituting chemical manures by animal wastes.
• Proper dumping of unwanted materials: Open dumping is the most commonly
practiced technique.
• Manufacture of natural fertilizers: Biopesticides and organic fertilizers should be
used in place of toxic pesticides and synthesized chemical fertilizers. E.g., organic
wastes in animal dung may be utilized to prepare compost manure.
• Proper hygiene: People should be educated about sanitary habits.
• Public awareness: People should be educated by informal and formal public
awareness programs on health hazards by environmental education. E.g., mass
media, educational institutions and voluntary agencies can achieve this.
• Recycling and reuse of wastes: The wastes like paper, metals, plastics, organics,
glasses, petroleum products, industrial effluents, etc. should be recycled and
reused. Industrial wastes should be properly treated at source. Integrated waste
treatment methods should be adopted.
Fig. 1.7 Causes of soil pollution
1 Environmental Pollution, Its Causes and Impact on Ecosystem
15
Evans et al. 2018). The short-term effects of soil pollutants are nausea, headaches,
fatigue and skin diseases. The causes of soil pollution are many; Fig. 1.7 depicts
some of the major causes of soil pollution in pictorial form.
1.3.3.2 Remediations/Treatment of Soil Pollution
There are several ways to acquire soil back to its pristine state or to eliminate the
polluted soil so, that the land can be utilized again for agriculture.
• It can be controlled by a variety of forestry and farm practices e.g., planting trees
on barren slopes. Contour cultivation and strip cropping may be applied instead of
shifting cultivation.
• In the long-term, soil erosion can be arrested by avoiding deforestation and
substituting chemical manures by animal wastes.
• Proper dumping of unwanted materials: Open dumping is the most commonly
practiced technique.
• Manufacture of natural fertilizers: Biopesticides and organic fertilizers should be
used in place of toxic pesticides and synthesized chemical fertilizers. E.g., organic
wastes in animal dung may be utilized to prepare compost manure.
• Proper hygiene: People should be educated about sanitary habits.
• Public awareness: People should be educated by informal and formal public
awareness programs on health hazards by environmental education. E.g., mass
media, educational institutions and voluntary agencies can achieve this.
• Recycling and reuse of wastes: The wastes like paper, metals, plastics, organics,
glasses, petroleum products, industrial effluents, etc. should be recycled and
reused. Industrial wastes should be properly treated at source. Integrated waste
treatment methods should be adopted.
Fig. 1.7 Causes of soil pollution
1 Environmental Pollution, Its Causes and Impact on Ecosystem
15