Land Pollution Lesson

Primarily caused by industrial contamination, land pollution is a global problem. Becoming aware of the many ways that land becomes polluted, and recognizing the harmful effects of land pollution, is an important step in understanding how it can be remedied.

How Land Becomes Polluted

• One major source of land pollution is the agricultural industry. Long-term use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and herbicides threaten agricultural production and may poison the surrounding lands through agricultural runoff. This may have a profound effect on wildlife and cause contamination of nearby bodies of water. Improper disposal of farm land waste such as animal excrement is also a contributing factor, as it can accumulate and leach into nearby land.

  Human sewage is another culprit of land pollution. Poorly maintained sewage pipes and large amounts of waste accumulation in underdeveloped countries are common. However, when floods occur, such as in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, even places with proper sewage treatment procedures in place are of no help as the waste makes its way into the soil and water supply.

  Even though most landfills are carefully monitored, they are not free from poisonous chemicals. As construction and demolition debris from heavy industry is often dumped into landfills, asbestos and other harmful chemicals still make their way in. Polluted liquids may ooze out into neighboring land, which in turn may pollute local water sources.

The Effects of Polluted Land

• When factories are decommissioned, the ground beneath their structures and storage facilities is often severely polluted, requiring a lengthy and expensive cleanup before the land may be reused. These locations are referred to as "brownfield" sites. Chemicals often found in the soil of brownfield sites include heavy metals, construction debris and petrochemicals.

  A tremendous effect may occur when soil becomes polluted through the use of pesticides. For example in 2005, grain production in China decreased by 40 billion kg due to agricultural soil contamination. The State Administration of Environmental Protection in China states that 6 to 7 million hectares of Chinese farmland has been polluted with industrial and domestic sewage, which is primarily responsible for this severe decrease in grain production.

  Also important to understand is the effect of land pollution on humans. When crops are grown on polluted farmland, humans ingest them when they eat the harvested vegetables. Some pesticides contain "persistent organic pollutants" such as DDT and y-HCH (lindane), which may end up in animal tissue and breast milk. Some of the most serious pollutants may cause skin problems, birth defects and cancer.

Preventing Land Pollution

• On an individual level, there are some steps you can take to prevent land pollution. Make sure that personal litter is properly disposed of. Instead of junking old refrigerators, batteries and computers containing dangerous chemicals, take them to a hazardous waste disposal center. Recycle used packaging. Support companies that demonstrate a strong ethical approach to recycling and waste disposal. Buy organic produce to support the organic farming industry and ultimately help discourage the use of dangerous pesticides which pollute the earth's soil.