Illegal dumping of the solid wastes, polluted water absorbed by the soil, use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, dumping of minerals, oils, and radioactive wastes are the major causes of soil pollution (Cachada et al.

When materials like rocks and soil on the Earth’s surface wear down to sand and gravel or move from one location to another, erosion is the main culprit. Landforms, like canyons, often get their shape as a direct result of erosion. Given enough time, water and ice can even cut through solid rock.

Landforms created by erosion include headlands and bays, caves, arches, stacks and stumps.

Liquid water is the major agent of erosion on Earth. Rain, rivers, floods, lakes, and the ocean carry away bits of soil and sand and slowly wash away the sediment. Rainfall produces four types of soil erosion: splash erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion.

Various Sources of Soil Pollution

• Agricultural sources. Agricultural practices such as the use of non-organic products in crop and livestock production lead to soil pollution.
• Industrial sources.
• Urban waste.
• Sewer sludge.
• Mining and Smelting sources.
• Nuclear sources.
• Deforestation.
• Biological agents.

Causes of Soil Pollution

• Wrong Agricultural Practices.
• Industrial Waste.
• Urbanisation.
• Biomagnification.
• Deforestation.
• Dumping of Solid Waste.

Types of Soil Pollutants

• Biological Agents. Biological agents work inside the soil to introduce manures and digested sludge (coming from the human, bird and animal excreta) into the soil.
• Agricultural Practices.
• Radioactive Pollutants.
• Urban Waste.
• Industrial Waste.

Sources of soil pollution can broadly be divided into the following two categories:

• Man-Made Pollutants. These are the major contributors to soil pollution.
• Natural Pollutants.
• Biological Agents.
• Agricultural Practices.
• Radioactive Pollutants.
• Urban Waste.

Soil pollution affects the health of humans, plants, and animals. Crops or plants grown on such contaminated soil absorbs toxic material from the soil and will decrease the agricultural output of a land. When animals or human beings consume these crops or plants the toxic material can pass into their body.

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic substances. The root cause of soil pollution is often one of the following: Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides) Excessive industrial activity. Poor management or inefficient disposal of waste.