Land Pollution
What is Land Pollution?
Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surface through human activities such as poor agricultural practices, mineral exploitation, industrial waste dumping, and indiscriminate disposal of urban wastes. It includes visible waste and litter as well as pollution of the soil itself. When we talk about air or water pollution, the reactions garnered are stronger because we can actually see the effects caused by the pollutants. We may not be able to see the effects with clarity, but the land is so polluted; we are unable to calculate the damages incurred. Land pollution has become one of the most serious conflicts we face.
What Causes 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; eventually, the groundwater we need for drinking becomes contaminated as well.
How Can We Help?
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Land Pollution Facts
- - The average person in the United States produces around 4.5 pounds of trash every day
- - Recycling a ton of paper spares 17 trees
- - Recycling half the world's paper would free up 20 million acres of forest land
- - Over 80% of items in landfills can be recycled
- - Land pollution causes loss of 24 billion tons of top soil every year
| Land Pollutant | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Soil Pollution | Litter is waste material dumped in public places such as streets, parks, picnic areas, at bus stops and near shops. Chemicals in herbicide and pesticides contribute as well. |
| Waste Disposal | The accumulation of waste threatens the health of people in residential areas. Waste decays, encourages household pests, and ruin the environment. |
| Mining | Mining destroys land by producing large holes in the ground and causing erosion. It can also release toxic chemicals into the air and soil. |
| Farming | Farming also produces a lot of pollution in the form of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. Animal waste from livestock can also pollute both the soil and 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 it is not enough. |
| Deforestation and Soil Erosion | Land that is once converted into a dry or barren land can never be made fertile again. Land conversion, meaning the alteration or modification of land, is another major cause.Also there is a constant waste of land. Unused available land over the years turn barren; thus, in search of more land, potent land is hunted and its indigenous state is compromised with. |
| Nuclear Waste | Nuclear plants can produce huge amounts of energy through nuclear fission and fusion. The leftover radioactive materials contain harmful, toxic chemicals that can even affect human health, yet they are dumped beneath the earth to avoid any casualties. |
