Soil Pollution

Soil pollution is defined as the buildup in soils of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or disease-causing agents, which have adverse effects on plant growth and animal health.

Sources of Soil Pollution

Man-Made Pollutants

• Anthropogenic (man-made) soil pollution originates in several types of processes, some deliberate (industrial) and some accidental. Human-caused soil pollution can work in conjunction with natural processes to increase the toxic contamination levels in the soil.
• Accidental spills and leaks during storage, transport or use of chemicals (e.g. leaks and spills of petrol and diesel at petrol pumps);
• Mining activities involving the crushing and processing of ....