LAND POLLUTION

Chung, Cinco, Ereneta, Garcia, Mercado, Prieto, Taylo

DEFINITION: WHAT IS LAND POLLUTION?

 The result of man’s misuse of the soil

 The degradation of the health and quality of the
land surface
 The addition of undesirable matter to the land,
matter that damages terrestrial organisms that
depend on the land.
CAUSES OF LAND POLLUTION

1. Agriculture 2. Mining and Quarrying

 Accumulation of  Use of explosives to

animal manures blow up mines
 Excessive input of  Use of machineries
chemical fertilizers which emit toxic
 Illicit dumping of byproducts that leak
tainted crops on land to the ground
 Overgrazing
CAUSES OF LAND POLLUTION

3. Sewage Sludge

 Improper or
inadequate sanitation
system causes sludge
to leak at surrounding
soil
HEALTH EFFECTS
 Diseases transmit from direct contact with polluted soil or from
contact with other resources, such as water that has made direct
contact with polluted soil.
 Children are more susceptible simple because they usually have
more frequent contact with the soil as compared to adults.
 Diseases causes by land pollution include: cancer, neurological
problems, and tissue damage and irritation.
 Indirectly affects the respiratory system. The polluted dust and/or
particles can enter the lungs.
 Skin problems are frequently linked to land pollution.
 One of the leading causes for birth defects. Pregnant women living
in unhealthy and dirty environment can incur breathing problems and
a number of diseases, which may affect the health of the baby as
well.
 HEALTH EFFECTS: CHEMICAL POISONING
 Organ damage and bioaccumulation
Main Soil Potential Specific Sources
Pollutant
Lead (Pb) • Lead paint
•Mining
•Foundry activities
•Vehicle exhaust (historical
exhaust since lead is not used in
gasoline anymore)
•Construction activities
•Agriculture activities (pesticide
with lead such as lead arsenate
that was banned but has been
historically used)
Some Common Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the Polluted Soil
• Affect the nervous system and
memory, growth and development, as
well as cognitive development (lower
Iqs)
• Learning difficulties
•Autism in genetically predisposed
people
•Growth reduction and weight loss
•Impair pituitary-thyroid endocrine
system
•Favor osteoporosis at old age
 HEALTH EFFECTS: CHEMICAL POISONING
Main Soil pollutant Potential Specific Sources
Mercury (Hg) Mining
Incineration of coal
Alkali and metal processing
Medical and other waste
Volcanoes and geologic
deposits (natural sources)
Accumulation in plants and
vegetables grown on polluted
soils
Some Common Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the Polluted Soil
Itching, burning, pain
Damage to brain kidney and lungs
Pink disease (acrodynia) – skin
discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips,
toes), while red cheeks and nose in
affected chlidren
Desquamation (peeling off in layers of
dead skin)
High blood pressure and
hypersalivation
tachycardia
Loss of hair, teeth, nails, photofobia,
kidney disfunction, memory
impairment, insomnia - in children

Main Soil pollutant Potential Specific Sources
Arsenic (As) Mining
Coal-fired power plants
Lumber facilities (used as
CCA – chromate copper
arsenate in pressure treated
wood)
Electronic Industry
Foundry activities
Agriculture (Pesticides -
including some of those
currently used)
Natural accumulation under
specific conditions
Some Common
Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the Polluted
Soil
If ingested –the most specific
effects relates to skin pattern
changes and cancer
(including liver, kidney,
bladder, prostate and lung
cancer); also at lower doses
the digestive system may be
affected with symptoms such
as: nausea vomiting, stomach
irritation, diarrhea, damage
of blood vessels
If inhaled – skin changes;
irritation of throat and lungs,
circulatory problems, nervous
system disorders
 Some Common
Main Soil pollutant Potential Specific Sources Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the
Polluted Soil
Other metals (Mn, Mining Depend on metals –
Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, etc.) Foundry activities please follow individual
Construction activities links
PAHs (polyaromatic Coal burning Harm to skin, body fluids,
hydrocarbons) Vehicle emissions and autoimmune system
Accumulation in plants and vegetables Eye irritation, nausea,
grown on polluted soils vomiting, diahrea
Cigarette smoke Cataracts
Wildfires Kidney and liver damage
Agricultural burning Cancer (skin, lung,
Wood burning bladder, gastrointestinal)
Asphalt roads (construction activities)
Industrial plants (e.g., coal tar, bitumen,
coal-gasification)
Accumulation in plants and vegetables
grown on polluted soils
Construction activities
Herbicides/Insectici Agricultural activities Large range of effects
des Gardening from skin rashes to death
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

Animals Soil
 Toxic litter can be eaten by wildlife, both in the
water and on land
 Items such as batteries, light
bulbs and televisions leach toxic
Pests increase as the edible garbage become

breeding grounds resulting in an increase of chemicals like mercury into the
their population and communicable diseases. ground.
These diseases can be transferred to other
animals.  Sources like smokestacks and
 Pesticides have unintended effects on plants fertilizers can coat large plots of
and animals inadvertently exposed during
application. A common agricultural pesticide,
land with toxins. These chemicals
atrazine has different effects with respect to enter the soil, either attached to
which animal receives exposure. For example, soil particles or trapped in air
reptile eggs were not found to be affected,
likely due to their thick, leathery shell. pockets. They then contaminate
Conversely, quail were found to have reduced local plant and animal life, as
food consumption and inhibited reproductive well as nearby water systems.
capabilities.
 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Water
 Chemicals that enter the soil can easily spread
to water systems.
 Groundwater absorbs chemicals from the soil. It
is often used to supply local communities with
drinking water, and to support local
agriculture. Nearby rivers can sweep chemicals
downstream toward oceans or lakes, which
affects fish and other wildlife.
 As pollution is introduced into major bodies of
water it begins to saturate the water with
phosphates and nitrates, especially when
human waste is introduced. This over-saturation
causes an exponential growth in algae and
other plants, which can ultimately block the
sun's rays from reaching deep into the water.
Plants
 Toxic chemicals can seep into
the ground and contaminate
local affect every part of the
ecosystem---both plants and
animals. If plants are exposed
to harmful pollution, their
fruits may become tainted,
thus placing animals who feed
on these plants in danger of
being poisoned.
WAYS TO PREVENT/MINIMIZE THE PROBLEM

 Reduce, reuse, recycle

 Buy biodegradable products
 Avoid the use of pesticides
 Don’t litter
 Use reusable containers
 Try to use organic products (products that are
biodegradable and environment-friendly)
 Have a proper waste management system
 Make use of scratch paper
 Avoid the use of plastic shopping bags – use reusable
bags instead
SOURCES
 http://library.thinkquest.org?C0111040/Popups/pop_table_land1.
Websites htm
used:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/159831-health-effects-from-soil-
pollution/
 http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/causes-and-effects-of-land-
pollution-4470.html
 http://www.livestrong.com/article/176005-the-effects-of-soil-
pollution-on-humans/
 http://www.ehow.com/list_6453037_effects-land-pollution-
health.html
 http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/
 http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/examples/
 http://www.livestrong.com/article/140586-how-does-land-
pollution-affect-environment/#ixzz1leKRbEvf
 http://www.ehow.com/list_6497593_effects-land-pollution-
environment.html#ixzz1leJfRqC9