POLLUTION

Define the Word Pollution/What is pollution?

To pollute is to contaminate, make dirty or impure.

WHAT IS SOIL POLLUTANTS?

1. Excess use of farm chemicals

• Excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides end up killing useful organisms in the soil e.g. earth worms.

2. Acid rain

• Sulphur dioxide in the air mixes with rain water to form acid rain.
• Acid rain kills small animals in the soil
• It also affects germination

3. Waste from industries

•  Chemical wastes make soil to support life

4. Floods carry waste and soluble chemicals from different sources. They end up polluting the soil.
5. Human waste – untreated human and domestic refuse could contain chemicals that affect micro-organisms.
6. Oil spillage – blocks air into the
7. Plastic wastes – they are not decomposable (non- biodegradable)
8. Human activities g. mining, burning vegetation

• Oil spillage interferes with air circulation in the soil.
• Farm chemicals interfere with the soil structure and microorganisms.
• Plastic affects root development.
• Lower crop yields and quality
• Destroys habitat for soil animals
• Cause starvation to animals because plants are primary producers

SOIL CONSERVATION

This is conservation of the soil so that it can maintain fertility

It is conserved through

• Reduced use of excessive farm chemicals
• Recycling plastics instead of dumping them in the soil.
• Avoiding the burning of vegetation.
• Planting cover crops and other proper ways of land cultivation e.g. contour farming.
• Construction of gabions and terraces.
• Afforestation and re-afforestation
• Mulching
• Controlled grazing or proper stocking rate
• Avoid dumping of industrial waste on soil