ABSTRACT
Out of the 10 major soil threats, one of the most critical is soil pollution. Certain chemical elements are potentially harmful substances when present above the threshold limits, and heavy metals, radionuclides, organic compounds (xenobiotic molecules, antibiotics and persistent organic molecules) and some organic wastes (untreated wastewater and biosolids) can increase the risk to human, animal and plant health by spreading infectious diseases. A wide range of sources has led to a local or diffuse type of soil pollution, but those occurring because of anthropogenic activities have become a significant problem at a global level. Shallow underground water has also been contaminated by the long accumulation of materials and particles in the soil. Desertification is another effect of soil pollution, as it reduces plant growth and development, resulting in a loss of vegetation. Physical, chemical and microbiological properties of soil are critically affected by the long-term use of chemical fertilizers and untreated heavy metals. In addition, contaminated sewage sludge affects soil flora and fauna and ultimately human growth. Using sewage sludge according to European Commission limits and treating sludge before use in the field can reduce soil pollution up to certain limits. Increasingly, expensive physical methods of remediation such as chemical inactivation and landfill sequestration are being replaced by biologically based methods such as bioremediation and phytoremediation. To maintain soil health and for preventing soil pollution, various methodologies like reducing waste, recycling and reusing goods and employing sustainable waste storage and environmentally friendly industrial processes can be practiced in day-to-day life.
