What is land pollution?

When we first think of pollution we often think of trash by the side of the road. This type of
pollution is called land pollution. Land pollution is anything that damages or contaminates
the land

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution is a form of land pollution in which the soil’s upper layer is harmed. Overuse of
chemical fertilizers, soil degradation caused by running water, and other pest control
measures contribute to the loss of agricultural land, forest cover, and grazing pastures,
among other things.

Causes of Land Pollution

There are many causes of land pollution from the trash we throw away in our homes to
waste produced at giant factories. Sometimes chemicals from the trash can contaminate the
soil and eventually the groundwater we need for drinking.

• Garbage - The average person in the India produces around 0.57 Kgs of trash every
day! That's a lot of trash. Some of this trash gets recycled, but much of it ends up in a
landfill or on the ground.

• Mining - Mining can directly destroy the land, producing large holes in the ground and
causing erosion. It can also release toxic chemicals into the air and soil.

• Farming - We all need farms to eat, but agriculture has destroyed many ecosystems
and animal habitats. Farming also produces a lot of pollution in the form of chemicals
such as pesticides and herbicides. Animal waste from livestock can also pollute the
soil and, eventually, the water supply.

• Factories - Many factories produce a significant amount of garbage and waste. Some
of this waste is in the form of damaging chemicals. There are regulations in some
 countries to prevent harmful chemicals from getting dumped directly onto the land,
but this is not the case in many countries.

• Urbanization – Intensive urbanization will exacerbate poverty by preventing local

municipalities from providing services to all residents. Increased air pollution from
concentrated energy usage has a direct effect on human health. Lead levels in urban
air are elevated as a result of automobile emissions.

• Nuclear Waste – The soil is also contaminated by radioactive waste from nuclear
research stations and nuclear power plants, as well as radioactive fallout from
nuclear explosions. Since radioactive materials have a long half-life, they can survive
in the soil for long periods of time.

What are Landfills?

Landfills are areas where garbage is placed in the land. Modern landfills in developed
countries are designed to keep harmful chemicals from polluting the water. Some of the
newest landfills even try to capture methane gas from escaping and use it do produce
energy. In the United States there are a lot of laws and regulations to try and keep landfills
from harming the environment.

Land Pollution Effects

Effects on the Environment

Land pollution can be one of the most visible types of pollution. You see trash outside of
buildings or on the side of the road. You may see a large landfill or dump. This type of land
pollution not only can hurt animals and their habitats, but also is ugly and destroys the
beauty of nature.

Other types of land pollution like mining, farming, and factories can allow for harmful
chemicals to enter into the soil and water. These chemicals can cause animals and plants to
die, disrupting the food chain. Landfills release the greenhouse gas methane, which may
lead to global warming.

Climate Change – Land contamination, such as that caused by mining, farming, and factories,
may allow harmful chemicals to enter the soil and water. These chemicals have the potential
to kill animals and plants, destroying the food chain. Landfills emit methane, a greenhouse
gas that contributes to global warming. Chemicals such as arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead,
and ammonia, among others, can contaminate water and land-based flora. Animals and
humans are poisoned by it.

Pollution can cause mudslides, poison soils and rivers, and even destroy plants and animals.
Pollution causes damage to humans on a daily basis

Acid Rain – Forests, especially those at higher elevations, are also harmed by acid rain and
fog. Acid deposits deplete vital nutrients like calcium and allow aluminum to be released into
the soil, making it difficult for trees to absorb water. Acids also damage the leaves and
needles of trees.

Deterioration of fields – A chain reaction occurs as a result of soil contamination. It alters soil
biodiversity, decreases soil organic matter, and reduces soil’s filtering ability. It also
contaminates water contained in the soil and groundwater, resulting in nutrient imbalances
in the soil.

Effects on Health

Different kinds of land pollution have been known to have adverse effects on the health of
animals and humans. The harmful chemicals that can get into the soil and water can cause
cancers, deformities, and skin problems

Land pollution can harm the human body in a variety of ways. Toxic waste and contaminants
can be ingested by people. Disposal of hazardous radioactive wastes also contributes to land
contamination. Chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even brain
damage are all long-term health consequences.
Respiratory health problems – Air pollution can irritate your airways, causing shortness of
breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, and chest pain. Lung cancer, heart attacks,
strokes, and, in the worst-case scenario, premature death are all risks associated with air
pollution exposure.

Solutions to Land Pollution

To reduce land emissions, reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is essential to practice reforestation
and afforestation. Organic fertilizers, an integrated pest control method, and crop rotation
can all be used by farmers.

One of the most important ways to help minimize landfill waste, protect natural resources,
preserve wildlife, reduce noise, reduce energy use, and slow global warming is to
incorporate recycling habits into your everyday life.

Reforestation avoids river and lake silting by reducing surface erosion and preserving the
fertile topsoil. It prevents the soil surface from sealing and cuts down on the amount of
rainwater that runs off.

What is biodegradable?

Trash that is made of organic substances will eventually decay and become a part of the
environment. This type of trash is called biodegradable. Different types of materials take
different amounts of time to decay.

Paper can decompose in around a month, but it takes a plastic bag over 20 years to
decompose. Scientists predict that it could take a glass bottle about 1 million years to
biodegrade and that some materials, like Thermocol, will never biodegrade.

There are biodegradable plastics also. When compared to petroleum-based plastics like
polyethene (used for making carrybags), biodegradable plastics produce significantly less
waste. As biodegradable plastics degrade, they decompose into nontoxic, harmless
components. Just 32% of the greenhouse gases released by petroleum-based plastics are
produced by them.

What can you do to help?

Here are 4 things people can do to reduce land pollution:

1. Recycle - When you recycle you add less land pollution.

2. Produce less trash - Some ways to reduce trash include not using a napkin or paper
towel unless you absolutely need one, drinking water from a cup rather than a plastic
bottle, and being sure to properly dispose of harmful trash like batteries and
computer equipment.
3. Pick up trash - Don't be a litter bug! Also, you can help out by picking up trash when
you see it lying around. Kids make sure to ask your parents for help before you pick
up strange trash.
4. Composting - Get with your parents or school and start a compost heap. Composting
is when you collect organic waste and store it so it breaks down to where it can be
used for fertilizer.
5. Use Biodegradable items – Try to use biodegradable items and reduce usage non-
biodegradable items like plastics. For example, avoid using one time use plastic
bottles. While using disposable plates during travel or parties try to use arecanut
plates instead of disposable plastic plates.