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How to Control Soil PollutionBy an eHow Contributor

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Soil pollution is the addition of toxic and harmful chemicals, salts, microorganisms and radioactiveelements to the soil layer. These substances decrease soil fertility by reducing its mineral content.They also adversely affect plant and animal growth. Soil pollution is a big problem, but steps arebeing taken to control it.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions 1. Red ucing U s age of Ch em ical s

o 1 P esticides and fungicides are essential for plant growth but their overuse has led to soil pollution.Bio-fertilization and manures should be used instead of their chemical alternatives. Biofertilization isa process in which certain microorganisms are used to increase the fertility and growth capacity of soil. The process reduces the need for pesticides and fungicides. Manure, meanwhile, is alwaysconsidered preferable to pesticides. In its organic form, manure has few negative effects on theecological system.

o 2 R ecycling is another way to reduce and control soil pollution. R ecycling paper, plastics and other materials reduces the volume of refuse in landfills, another common cause of soil pollution.

o 3 D e-forestation, the cutting down of trees, causes erosion, pollution and the loss of fertility in thetopsoil. P lanting trees--or re-forestation--helps prevent soil erosion and pollution.

o 4 W eeds soak up minerals in the soil. R educing weed growth helps reduce soil pollution. One of themore common methods of reducing weed growth is covering the soil with numerous layers of wetnewspapers or a plastic sheet for several weeks before cultivation. This prevents light from reachingthe weeds, which kills them.

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o 5 D esignated pits should be used for the dumping of soil wastes. These wastes should be treatedchemically and biologically to make them less toxic and hazardous. Biological treatment involves theuse of anaerobic microorganisms, such as methanogens and acetogens, which help break down thesoil wastes into a less toxic and biodegradable form.

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Prevention of Soil Pollution

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Soil pollution can be prevented by the following methods:

1. Improved agricultural techniques and reduction of chemical fertilizer andpesticide : Improved agricultural methods might help to reduce the washing of

fertilisers into water -ways. Crop rotation or mixed cropping can improve thefertility of the land. Applying bio-fertilizers and manures can reduce chemicalfertilizer and pesticide use. Biological methods of pest control can also reducethe use of pesticides and thereby minimize soil pollution.

2. Proper solid waste management : This is very important method for theprevention of soil pollution. An efficient system of disposal should be developedto deal with domestic solid waste. Industrial wastes can be treated physically,chemically and biologically until they are less hazardous. Acidic and alkalinewastes should be first neutralized; the insoluble material if biodegradable shouldbe allowed to degrade under controlled conditions before being disposed. Solidwastes should be pre treated and recycles and only minimum quantity of such

wastes should be discharged. 3. Creating laws : P roper legislation should be passed and strictly enforced for the

prevention of soil pollution. Stringent laws should be imposed on defaulters. 4. Reforestation : R eforestation and plantation of grasses helps a lot in the

prevention of soil pollution. In afforestation, native species should be profferedover exotic species. Control of land loss and soil erosion can be attemptedthrough restoring forest and grass cover to check wastelands, soil erosion andfloods.

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5 . Recycling : R ecycling is another method for the prevention of soil pollution.R ecycling paper, plastics and other materials reduces the volume of refuse inlandfills, another common cause of soil pollution.

6. Educating people : P ublic awareness and involvement to combat the weeds likeP arthenium and Eupatorium.