Even though we frequently hear about air pollution, we really do not get a good deal of information regarding soil pollution. Just because people do not have very much information about soil pollution, doesn’t suggest that it is not just as important as any other type of pollution. It is much harder to detect because it occurs under ground and is not so easy to see. There are tests that can be run to let you know if the soil is healthy enough to be put into use.
Polluted water could seep into the soil making the soil contaminated. When this takes place the soil becomes less productive since the plants, flowers or trees don’t grow as well. Today, many of the fruits and vegetables we consume have been affected by contaminated soil. Air pollution cannot improve because the plants are unable to remove the carbon monoxide in the air because of soil pollution. Most of the soil pollution result from neglectfulness and mistakes we humans have committed. Chemicals found in storage tanks are placed below the ground, and they usually leak, allowing the chemicals to flow through the soil. This has caused plants to just quit growing and making the area uninhabitable.
Landfills is another example of just how pollutants enter the soil. Previously garbage from businesses and individuals was dumped in landfills, that did hardly any to safeguard the land. Water coming from rain or snow would carry these dangerous pollutants into the soil. The harsh chemicals spread by falling into underground rivers that carry the chemicals to many different places. Fortunately today, lots of landfills are taking action to control harmful chemicals from going underground.
Inorganic pesticides have been sprayed on the land for quite some time, which has also instigated a lot of damage to the soil. Quite a few groups have been lobbying the government for some time in order to protect the soil from harmful chemicals. Through more strict laws on certain pesticide sprays and the surge in organic farming, there’s hope that soil pollution will improve. Companies are initiating changes at the same time like using biodegradable material. The country with most severe problem is the US. This has come about with the high level of advancement, together with a virtually complete disregard for the environment.
Nevertheless, as more people find out about soil pollution, the more action is being taken to solve the problem. There are programs showing up throughout the country to deal with and work on the soil pollution problem. It is great that there are a lot of people who are being more health conscious and are concerned about the soil.