Soil Pollution

DR. RAKSHA
VAIDYA
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Overuse of fertilizer can also cause plants to develop shallow root systems, which reduces their stability and ability to obtain
water during dry conditions. Too much fertilizer can decrease the soil fertility, seriously affect the quality of crops, and the
health of the human body as a result of chemical residues.
Industrial Effects
Dangerous chemicals entering underground water.

Ecological Imbalance.

Release of pollutant gases.

Increased salinity

Reduced vegetation
 Soil degradation :-Soil degradation
causes include agricultural, industrial,
and commercial pollution; loss of
arable land due to urban expansion,
overgrazing, and unsustainable
agricultural practices; and long-term
climatic changes.

The type of soil degradation refers to the nature of the degradation process
(displacement of soil material by water and wind; in-situ deterioration by
physical, chemical and biological processes).
Urbanization Soil Pollution
Urban activities generate large quantities of city wastes including several non- biodegradable
materials ( such as plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic wastes, glass bottles, glass pieces,
stone/cement pieces.)

If it uncontrolled they cause soil pollution.

The emission of toxic and foul gases from landfills pollutes the environment and causes serious
effects on health of some peoples. The unpleasant smell causes inconvenience to other people.
The unpleasant smell causes inconvenience to other people.
Urbanization Effects
1. Pollution of drinking water sources.
2. Public health problems
3. Clogging of drains
4. Waste management problems.
5. Inundation of areas
6. Foul smell and release of gases
7. Spread out diseases by pathogenic organisms.
The major effects of soil pollution
Salinization: is increase the dissolvable salts content of soil.
Salinization occurs due to acid rain, agriculture operation and industrial activities.
Due to salinization the soil becomes unsuitable for plant growth and human use.
Ground water in saline soil have more salts than normal soil and make the water unsuitable for
plant growth , for animal and for human use.

What is soil salinization and how does it occur?

Salinization occurs when dissolved salts in water tables rise to
the soil surface and accumulate as water evaporates. Often rise
in a water table is due to the replacement of deep-rooted
vegetation, such as trees, with shallower rooted vegetation, such as
grasses.
Methods to control soil pollution
Reducing chemical fertilizer and pesticide use.
Recycling :-Recycling paper, plastics and other materials reduces the volume of refuse in
landfills.
Reusing :- Reusing of materials such as plastic bottles By reducing the use of plastics, glass
etc.
Re forestation , planting trees or re – forestation helps prevent soil erosion and pollution.

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Methods to control soil pollution
Use traditional methods to reduce growing of pests and weeds.
Designated pits should be used for the dumping of soil wastes. These wastes should be treated
chemically and biologically to make them less toxic and hazardous.
Minimizing emission from motor vehicles and industries (to control acid rains).
What is soil degradation?
Soil degradation is the decline in soil condition caused by its improper use or poor management,
usually for agricultural, industrial or urban purposes. It is a serious environmental problem.

What are the effects of soil degradation?

Soil degradation can have disastrous effects around the world such as landslides and floods, an
increase in pollution, desertification and a decline in global food production. One of the
biggest threats to our future food security is land degradation and the associated loss in soil
productivity.
What is soil degradation process?
Soil degradation is the physical, chemical and biological decline in soil quality. It
can be the loss of organic matter, decline in soil fertility, and structural condition, erosion,
adverse changes in salinity, acidity or alkalinity, and the effects of toxic chemicals,
pollutants or excessive flooding.

What factors cause soil degradation?

Natural hazards which can lead to soil degradation include land topography and climatic
factors such as steep slopes, frequent floods and tornadoes, blowing of high velocity wind, rains
of high intensity and drought conditions in dry regions. The most prominent degradation feature
worldwide is erosion by water.
What is the main causes of soil degradation?

Soil degradation causes include agricultural, industrial, and commercial pollution; loss of arable land
due to urban expansion, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices; and long-term climatic
changes.

How can we prevent soil degradation?

How to Prevent Soil Erosion
1.Stopping Soil Erosion via Sustainable Farming Practices. ...
2.Protecting the Soil by Planting Windbreaks. ...
3.Stone Walls to Prevent Soil Erosion. ...
4.Reforestation Helps Protect Soils. ...
5.Conservation Tillage and Soil Erosion.
What is soil erosion and degradation?
Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil; it is a form of soil degradation. This
natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice (glaciers),
snow, air (wind), plants, animals, and humans. ... Soil erosion could also cause sinkholes.

What is responsible for most soil degradation?

Agriculture is probably the most significant activity that accelerates soil erosion because of the amount of
land that is farmed and how much farming practices disturb the ground . Fine soil is blown away by wind.
The soil that is most likely to erode is the nutrient-rich topsoil, which degrades the farmland.
How does soil degradation affect humans?
As a result of erosion over the past 40 years, 30 percent of the world's arable land has become
unproductive. ... Erosion increases the amount of dust carried by wind, which not only acts as an
abrasive and air pollutant but also carries about 20 human infectious disease organisms, including
anthrax and tuberculosis

How does soil degradation affect the environment?

The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It has led to increased pollution and
sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging these waterways and causing declines in fish and other
species. And degraded lands are also often less able to hold onto water, which can worsen flooding.
1. Which of the following serves as an indicator of atmospheric pollution?
a) fern
b) liverworts
c) hornworts
d) epiphytic lichens
Answer: (d)

2. In 1984, the Bhopal gas tragedy took place because methyl isocyanate.
a. reacted with ammonia
b. reacted with water
c. reacted with DDT
d. reacted with CO2
Answer: (b)
3. Negative soil pollution is
a. reduction in soil productivity due to erosion and overuse
b. reduction in soil productivity due to addition of pesticides and industrial wastes
c. converting fertile land into harden land by dumping ash, sludge and garbage
d. None of the above
Answer: (a)

4. Air pollution that occurs in sunlight is

a. reducing smog
b. acid rain
c. oxidizing smog
d. fog
Answer: (c)
5. The layer of atmosphere between 10km to 50km above the sea level is called as
a. troposphere
b. thermosphere
c. stratosphere
d. mesosphere
Answer: (c)

6. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in cold water can go up to

a.14 ppm
b.8 ppm
c.10 ppm
d.16 ppm
Answer: (c)
7. The quantity of DDT at each trophic level in the food chain
a. decreases
b. remains the same
c. increases
d. changes
Answer: (c)

8. Formation of London smog takes place in

a. winter during day time
b. summer during day time
c. summer during morning time
d. winter during morning time
Answer: (d)
9. Brewery and sugar factory waste alter the quality of a water body by increasing
a. temperature
b. turbidity
c. pH
d. COD and BOD
Answer: (d)

10. In a coal-fired power plant electrostatic precipitators are installed to control the emission of
a. SO2
b. NO2
c. SPM
d. CO
Answer: (c)
11.DDT is a major contributor to Pollution because
a. It kills useful microorganisms
b. It destroys valuable species of worms
c. It is non biodegradable
d. It interferes with pesticides
Answer: (c)

12.The chemicals released due to unsustainable agricultural practises and

cause Soil Pollution are
a. Pathogens
b. Chemical fertilizers
c. Strontium-90
d. Weedicides
Answer: (b)
13.Slash and burn agriculture, which is not a healthy technique of farming and depletes soil of
the important nutrients, is a part of which of the following?
a. Striping farming
b. Intercrop farming
c. Jhum cultivation
d. None of the above
Answer: (c)
 

14.In a coal fired power plant Electrostatic precipitators are installed to control the emission of
a. SO2
b. NO2
c. SPM
d. CO
Answer: (c)
15.How are PAHs related to Soil Pollution?
a. They are carcinogenic organic compounds
b. They are fertilizer wastes
c. They are inorganic wastes from industries
d. They are harmful metals that pollute the soil
Answer: (a)
 
16.Soil pollution due to PAHs can be sourced to
a. vehicle emissions
b. cigarette smoke
c. extraction of shale oil
d. All of the above
Answer: (d)
17.Benzene and Methylbenzene the major Soil Pollutants mostly from the Petroleum
Industries are
a. Heavy organic pollutants
b. Inorganic pollutants
c. Carcinogenic pollutants
d. None of the above
Answer: (c)
 
18. Which of these pollutants is a Herbicide?
a. PHPs
b. Amides
c. Chlorinated hydrocarbons
d. Copper Sulphate
Answer: (b)
19.Which of the following serves as an indicator of Atmospheric Pollution
a. Fern
b. Liverworts
c. Hornworts
d. Epiphytic lichens
Answer: (d)
 
20.Why is area treatment important for Soil?
(a) To reduces the impact of raindrops on the soil
(b) To maximize surface run-off
(c) Not treating the upper catchment and proceeds towards an outlet
(d) Not storing surplus rainwater
Answer: (a)
21. In which temperature soil develops slowly?
a) Summer
b) Wind
c) Rainy
d) Cold

Answer: d
Explanation: Climate and time play an important role in the development of soils. In extremely
dry or cold climates, soils develop very slowly, while in humid and warm climates soil develop
more rapidly due to favorable climatic conditions.
22. Under ideal climatic conditions how many cms of soil is developed?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

Answer: a
Explanation: Under ideal climatic conditions, soft parent material may develop into 1 cm of soil
within 15 years. Under poor climatic conditions, hard parent material may require hundreds of
years to develop into the soil.
23. What is called for the matured soils which are arranged in a series of zones?
a) Soil zones
b) Soil layers
c) Soil horizons
d) Soil benches

Answer: c
Explanation: Mature soils are arranged in a series of zones called soil horizons. Each horizon has a
distinct texture and composition that varies with the different types of soil. This soil horizon helps to
discriminate different types of soils.
24. What is soil profile?
a) A cross sectional view of the horizons in a soil
b) A front view of the horizons in a soil
c) A cross sectional view of the horizons in rocks
d) A front view of the horizons in rocks

Answer: a

Explanation: A cross-sectional view of the horizon in a soil is called a soil profile. This soil profile can
able to identify the special characteristics present in the soils and this can be used as a referral while
studying a soil pollution causing by different soils.
25. How many horizons are there in soils?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

Answer: d

Explanation: There are four horizons in soils. The top layer is known as O-horizon. The uppermost layer
of soil called as the A-horizon. The B-horizon called the subsoil, it contains less organic material. The
area below the subsoil is called as the C-horizon.
26. A–horizon soil consists of partially decomposed organic matter.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a

Explanation: The uppermost layer of the soil, called the A-horizon. It consists of partially decomposed
organic matter and some inorganic mineral particles. This layer consists of a large amount of bacteria,
fungi and other small insects, which form complex food webs in the soil.
27. Which horizon helps to determine the pH of the soil?
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) O

Answer: c

Explanation: The chemical composition of the C-horizon helps to determine the pH of the soil and
also influences the soil’s rate of water absorption and it also C-horizon helps in the process of
retention of water.
28. What is called for the mixture of all the contents of soil?
a) Erosion
b) Sublimation
c) Degradation
d) Loams

Answer: d

Explanation: Soil varies in their content of clay, silt, sand and gravel. The relative amounts of the
different sizes and types of mineral particles determine the soil texture. Soils with an approximately
equal mixture of clay, sand, slit and humus are called loams.
29. Why area treatment is important for soil?
a) To reduces the impact of raindrops on the soil
b) To maximize surface run-off
c) Not treating the upper catchment and proceeds towards an outlet
d) Not storing surplus rainwater

Answer: a

Explanation: Area treatment in soil reduces the impact of raindrops on the soil. The treatment
measures are to develop vegetation cover on non-arable land. It effects in minimum disturbance
and displacement of soil particles.
30. What is called for the movement of surface litter and topsoil from one place to another?
a) Soil submerge
b) Soil degradation
c) Soil erosion
d) Soil pollution

Answer: c

Explanation: Soil erosion is a natural process, it is often caused by wind and flowing water. It is greatly
accelerated by human activities such as farming, construction, over grazing by livestock and burning of
grass cover and deforestation.
31. Why continuous contour trenches are used?
a) To decrease the infiltration of air
b) To enhance the infiltration of air
c) To decrease the infiltration of water
d) To enhance the infiltration of water

Answer: d

Explanation: Continuous contour trenches can be used to enhance the infiltration of water. It also
used to reduce the run-off and check soil erosion. In areas with steep slopes where bunds are not
possible, continuous contour benches are used for the same purpose.
32. What is used to convert wastelands into agricultural lands?
a) Check dams
b) Water purifier
c) Rain harvesters
d) Gradonies

Answer: d

Explanation: Gradonies can be used to convert wastelands into agricultural lands. In this, narrow
trenches with buds on the downstream side are built along contours in the upper reaches of the
catchment to collect run-off and to conserve moisture from the trees.
33. Organic agriculture advocates avoiding the use of_____________________
a) Organic manure
b) Stored water
c) Modern technologies in harvesting
d) Chemical fertilizers

Answer: d

Explanation: Organic agriculture advocates avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This
chemical fertilizers cause soil pollution and it also harms the health of organisms including humans
which depend on plants for food.
34. Integrated pest management reduces the excess use of fertilizers.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a

Explanation: One of the ways to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides is by integrated pest
management. This is a technique that uses a complete understanding of all the ecological
aspects of a crop and the particular pests to which it is susceptible.