DCN 6013

GEOENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING
Soil Pollution in China
Lecturer: En. Mohd Zamri Bin Jamaludin

Group Member No. Matric

Suzane Binti Endion 17DAS17F1072
Nor Haslinda Binti Che Ayub 17DAS17F1028
 DEFINITION OF SOIL POLLUTION
Soil pollution refers to anything that causes contamination of soil and degrades the soil quality. It
occurs when the pollutants causing the pollution reduce the quality of the soil and convert the
soil inhabitable for microorganisms and macro organisms living in the soil.
Soil contamination or soil pollution can occur either because of human activities or because of
natural processes. However, mostly it is due to human activities. The soil contamination can
occur due to the presence of chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, ammonia, petroleum
hydrocarbons, lead, nitrate, mercury, naphthalene, etc in an excess amount.
The primary cause of soil pollution is a lack of awareness in general people. Thus, due to many
different human activities such as overuse of pesticides the soil will lose its fertility. Moreover, the
presence of excess chemicals will increase the alkalinity or acidity of soil thus degrading the soil
quality. This will in turn cause soil erosion. This soil erosion refers to soil pollution.
1. Find the soil pollution case related to
geoenvironmental engineering

i. What types of area in this case?

 China is the most populated country in the world, but has relatively
little fertile land, and even less water. Maintaining the quality of its
agricultural land is of paramount importance if China wants to feed
its very large and growing population. Yet, China is one of the
countries with the largest amount of polluted soil. This paper looks at
the causes and distribution of soil pollution in China.
 1. Find the soil pollution case related to
geoenvironmental engineering
 For enterprises in China, the law sets out various obligations. Manufacturing and operating companies and
land use rights holders must take effective measures to prevent and reduce soil pollution and bear liability
for soil pollution they cause. If any survey, monitoring or inspection indicates potential pollution of
construction land, the land use right holder will be required to investigate the status of soil pollution. If the
investigation reveals pollution in excess of relevant standards, the party responsible for the pollution and
the land use right holder must complete and file a risk assessment report on the soil pollution. Based on
their review of the risk assessment report, the authorities may include the plot in a list of construction land
subject to soil pollution risk management and control and restoration, in which case the party responsible
for the soil pollution must take measures to manage and control soil pollution risks. If restoration is
required, the polluter must prepare a restoration plan, which also covers prevention and cleaning up of
polluted groundwater. Once completed, the polluter must engage an independent entity to evaluate the
results of its risk management and control and restoration measures. Moreover, enterprises in certain
highly polluting industries will be listed by government authorities as entities subject to substantial
supervision and must carry out advanced investigations of soil pollution where there is a change in the use
of, or transfer of, land used for production.
1. Find the soil pollution case related to
geoenvironmental engineering
ii. What type’s contaminant occurs in the site?
 It first looks at the amount of organic and inorganic soil pollutants and their
geographic distribution. It then looks at the causes of soil pollution, making the
distinction between agricultural activities, industrial activities, and urbanization.
Pollution from agricultural activities stems primarily from the excessive amounts of
pesticides and fertilizers used on farmland, and is mainly located in the south, where
most of the food is produced. Pollution from industrial activities is due to airborne
industrial pollutants that fall on to the land, and is mainly located in the west of the
country, where most manufacturing activities take place. Pollution from urbanization
is mainly due to the very large amount of solid, liquid and gaseous waste generated
in a small area with insufficient treatment facilities, and exhaust fumes from vehicles,
and is located around the largest cities, or roads. The result is that one fifth of
China’s farmland is polluted, and an area the size of Taiwan is so polluted that
farming should not be allowed there at all.
1. Find the soil pollution case related to
geoenvironmental engineering
iii. Who is affected in this case?
Harmful Effect on Human Health
 It will increase the exposure to toxic and harmful chemicals thus increasing health threats to people
living nearby and on the degraded land. Living, working or playing in the contaminated soil can lead
to respiratory diseases, skin diseases, and other diseases. Moreover, it can cause other health
problems.
Water Sources Contamination
 The surface run-off after raining will carry the polluted soil and enter into different water resource. Thus,
it can cause underground water contamination thereby causing water pollution. This water after
contamination is not fit for human as well as animal use due to the presence of toxic chemicals.
Negative Impact on Ecosystem and Biodiversity
 Soil pollution can cause an imbalance of the ecosystem of the soil. The soil is an important habitat
and is the house of different type of microorganisms, animals, reptiles, mammals, birds, and insects.
Thus, soil pollution can negatively impact the lives of the living organisms and can result in the gradual
death of many organisms. It can cause health threats to animals grazing in the contaminated soil or
microorganisms residing in the soil.
 1. Find the soil pollution case related to
geoenvironmental engineering

iv. Describe what the suitable environment law to be enforce in the case.

(Designation of agricultural land soil pollution policy areas) Article 3

1. In case, judging from the kinds and quantities of specific harmful
substances contained in the agricultural land soil and agricultural
crops and others grown in the agricultural lands in certain areas of
each prefecture, the agricultural lands are understood to be used
for the production of agricultural crops and livestock which are
feared to be harmful to human health or the obstacle to the
growth of agricultural crops and others in the said lands or where
the fear thereof is understood to be conspicuous and the
conditions fit that of the Cabinet Order, the governors of the
prefectures can designate the said areas as agricultural land soil
pollution policy areas (Hereinafter refered to as ‘Policy Areas')
1. Find the soil pollution case related to
geoenvironmental engineering

vi. Proposed suitable treatment for the contaminant in this case.

 Use of correct farming techniques
 Recycling of waste before disposal
 Use of organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
 Community education and awareness
Soil pollution from
indurstrial
Soil pollution from
agriculture

Waste from
household
ARTICLE