This blog contains Information about Land Pollution. In the start we will define and explain land pollution. Then we will study about some Types of Land Pollution. Then we will read about the main causes of Land Pollution. We will also study about the Effects of Land Pollution in detail. In the end, we will learn about the Preventive Measures for Land Pollution. This blog contains Causes, Effects and Prevention of Land Pollution.
What is Land Pollution?
Degradation of earth’s land surfaces both above and below the ground is called as land pollution. It is because solid and liquid waste in accumulated in ground water and on surface, this results in land pollution. Land pollution is a serious threat to humans and animals on Earth.
It is also called as soil contamination and soil pollution, because it directly effect the soil. Soil covers the earth surface and has ability to absorb liquid pollutants and then these liquid pollutants penetrate into the lower ground level and reach the groundwater causing groundwater pollution.
If we talk about pollution, then it is addition of any foreign substance into the natural environment. In case of land pollution, different unsuitable wastes covers the land and disturbs the natural environment of the soil, humans and other living organisms on land.
Land pollution can be in the form of liquid or solid waste or in the form of soil degradation due to chemicals. Almost all types of land pollution are caused by Anthropogenic activities so we should work hard on the prevention of land pollution. This blog contains Types, Causes, Effects and Prevention of Land Pollution.
Types of Land Pollution:
Following are some common types of Land Pollution:
Mining:
Mining is the process of extraction of valuable geological materials and minerals from the surface of the Earth so these processes cause removal of the top soil and land degradation that results in severe erosion.
Agriculture:
As we know that agriculture is very important for a country with fertile soil and efficient irrigation systems. Agriculture uses harmful pesticides and fertilizers that cause land pollution and ground water pollution at great extent.
Industrial Waste:
Industrial wastes comprises of all the solid, liquid and gaseous wastes that are discharged from the industries during industrial processes. These wastes may be harmful chemicals pollution our water resources and nearby fertile land.
Soil pollution:
Soil pollution includes all the activities that cause infertility and desertification of soil. Or it can turn out to reduce the quality of crops grown in the soil. It can be because of deforestation, intensive farming, and many other such problems.
Illegal Dumping:
There are no restrictions for dumping of wastes in many developing countries including Pakistan so most of the time illegal dumping is applied to dump wastes. This cause desertification, barrenness of land etc.
Urbanization:
Urbanization means a large number of population living in a same area. As much is the population, the level of pollution is also increased. Urbanization means the waste production is higher than before.
These are few common types of Land pollution.
Causes of Land Pollution:
Following are the main causes of Land Pollution:
Inefficient Disposal of Plastic Waste:
Plastic is widely used in every product and most of it are single-use plastics so these plastic bottles and wrappers are thrown on the roads, in surface water resources, in the streets etc. we can see them everywhere. This inefficient disposal of plastic waste is causing microplastics to enter in our water, land, and air. This is one of the main cause of Land pollution.
Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides:
As we know that, we use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to improve our yield in our farmlands. These fertilizers and pesticides are increasing the yield effectively, but eliminating the natural ability of fertile soil by making it artificial. This is also causing penetration of these chemicals into the groundwater causing groundwater pollution. In this way, the freshwater is being polluted every day and is not able to drink.
Deforestation:
Forests are holding the Earth in safe hands and protecting it as well. But unfortunately we are cutting the forests on exponential rates for commercial and industrial purposes. This is causing degradation of land, loss of habitat for biodiversity, loss of water holding capacity of land and the increase of Air pollution. We are cutting our biggest air purifiers and disturbing the Earth’s systems.
Overgrazing:
It means excessive grazing by the animals that results in deterioration of soil and plant community so Overgrazing cause the destruction of the roots of plants and grasses that they are not able to grow again. This cause the infertility of the soil and disturbs its natural ability to grow plants. It is a serious threat to fertile soil. This can make a land barren and eliminate its fertility forever.
Transportation:
Transportation is causing most of the air pollution on Earth. It comprises about 44% of the air pollution all over the world. These transports travel on land and first pollute the natural air of land. This is a great threat because it is contributing directly into global warming and climate change. This is causing bad effects on humans, animals and other living organisms living on Earth.
These are few causes of Land Pollution.
Effects of Land Pollution:
Contamination of Ground Water:
Land pollution releases microplastic, pesticides, synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Through fertile soil these chemicals are added into the groundwater and cause severe contamination. This contamination makes it unsuitable for use and drink. In this way, a lot of pure water is converted into wastewater every year and then expensive wastewater treatments are required to treat this water.
Climate Change:
Land emissions include transportation, landfill emissions, microplastics, and other fuel burning processes so all these emissions are contributing in climate change at a great level. They are increasing the temperature of the cities and there is increase in average temperature on global level. Climate change is driving many harmful effects such as sea level rise, global warming, heatwaves etc.
Desertification:
The land is under constant expose to synthetic chemicals for agriculture so these chemicals are destroying the nutrient-rich land and transforming it into desert or barren land. These activities are taking soil fertility away forever. Many farmlands round the globe are already converted into deserts due to chemical use. We should try to avoid fertilizers and pesticides.
Health Effects:
The releases from industrial, agricultural and transport, is deteriorating the health of living things on Earth. Most of the people die now a days because of respiratory issues such as asthma, lung disease, pneumonia etc. This all is effecting the quality of life of humans and animals living on Earth so if these pollutions do not stop, the human will not be able to live on earth.
Specie Extinction and Wildfire:
We are destroying natural habitats or many species by damaging the forests, wetlands, wildlife sanctuaries and many other habitats so this is causing the endangerment and extinction of many beautiful and rare species of plants and animals. Wildfire is the natural fire that is ignite into the forest due to high temperature and global warming. This phenomenon is increasing due to increase in temperature every year. It destroys the forests.
Prevention of Land Pollution:
Avoid every type of wastes. Use 4R strategy.
Afforestation and Reforestation
Eliminate disposal of chemicals into water.
Use public transport.
Protect forests and wetlands.
Do not turn forested land into agricultural land.
Use natural and organic fertilizers.
Avoid overgrazing on the same land.
Do not throw plastic waste openly.
By following all these preventive measures we can prevent Land Pollution. This blog contains Types, Causes, Effects and Prevention of Land Pollution.
Conclusion:
Land Pollution is a rising problem of today’s world. It is the degradation or pollution of above the Earth’s surface and below the Earth’s surface. Land pollution is increasing day by day with exponential rates. Its causes includes the inefficient disposal of wastes, deforestation, over grazing, transportation etc. While its effects are severe. The effects of Land pollution includes Desertification, Specie Extinction, Health Effects, Climate Change, Contamination of Ground water etc. We can prevent land pollution by applying 4R strategy, Afforestation, Reforestation, prefer Public Transport, improve waste disposal etc. so we should keep working on the prevention of land pollution before its too late. This blog contains Types, Causes, Effects and Prevention of Land Pollution.
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