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Soil Pollution Essay

Essay on Soil Pollution

Soil is also called Earth, ground or dirt, which is formed by the accumulation of Organic and Inorganic matter as a bedrock through several years of physical weathering. And, Soil Pollution is the imbalance in the composition of this Organic matter which naturally decomposes and Inorganic matter which may be integrated with harmful chemicals that don’t decompose easily and degrade the quality of the Soil causing Soil Pollution. In this Soil Pollution essay, we will understand the cause and effects of Soil Pollution.

Soil is a thin layer that consists of both Organic and Inorganic components. These materials cover the Earth's rocky surfaces. Also included is the organic part, which is made up of decomposed animal and plant material. While rock bits make up the inorganic portion. This section was created through the chemical and physical weathering of bedrock over a thousand years. Soils that are productive are important for agriculture in order to meet the world's food needs. As a result, the essay on Soil Pollution focuses on the reasons that cause Soil contamination as well as the negative consequences of Soil Pollution.

Short Essay on Soil Pollution

Human-made chemicals are the leading cause of Soil Pollution as it alters the natural Soil Environment. And the ingestion of chemicals is at a big-time high due to industrialization and increase in population. This Soil Pollution essay in English will emphasize on the fact that there are millions of chemicals naturally present in the Soil. But when there is an increase in the concentration of a few harmful chemicals, it becomes a threat to living beings as it leads to serious health hazards.

The main contributors to Soil Pollution are the frequent use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers with higher concentrations of chemicals then decrease the natural fertility of the Earth, uncontrolled disposal of sewage, careless industrial waste spillage like of oils and solid matter from concrete matter used in making buildings and medical waste from hospitals and pharmaceutical labs and poor waste management.

All of the aforementioned causes lead to serious health conditions at all levels of the ecosystem. The plant growth is stunted when grown on such harmful grounds, the humans who are exposed to food yielded from such an environment can experience short term consequences like fatigue, weakness, headache, skin conditions or long term problems like depression, nervous system damage and animals including aquatic life suffers a great deal from this damage as they live on the polluted water seeped from the polluted Soil.

All of this can be resolved when people are consciously reducing the disposal of such harmful wastes into the natural bodies and a proper waste management system is followed.

Long Essay on Soil Pollution

Soil like all other forms of Pollution in nature is a growing sense of dread due to its deadly consequences in all living beings in the Ecosystem. Man-made materials are the leading cause of Soil Pollution. When any matter is present in quantities larger than the needed amount, then that becomes a potent threat. In trying to grow at a greater pace they are harming the Environment. The biggest threat to this problem is the irresponsibility displayed while disposing of any waste as the disposal of chemicals are not naturally present in the Soil so this causes contamination and as the levels increase leads to Pollution. In this essay on Soil Pollution, let’s understand the causes, effects and possible solutions.

What Causes Soil Pollution?

Soil Pollution is characterized as chemicals, salts, poisonous compounds, and radioactive contaminants that stay in the Soil and have negative impacts on animal health and plant growth. Pollution of Soils can occur in a variety of ways. These are the following:

Industrial garbage is dumped on the Earth's surface.

A landfill seeps water.

Underground storage tanks are bursting.

Contaminated water seeps into the ground.

Seepage of solid waste.

Heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, and insecticides are examples of chemicals.

Soil Pollution Causes

A Soil pollutant is a factor that causes Soil to deteriorate owing to a reduction in the texture, mineral, or quality content of the Soil. This also disrupts the biological equilibrium of Soil-dependent organisms. Furthermore, Soil Pollution has negative consequences for plant growth. Soil contamination is usually produced by man-made applications such as contaminated surface water percolation, pesticides, fuel dumping, oil dumping, and so on.

Other operations include the leaching of pollutants from landfills, the direct dumping of industrial wastes into the Soil, and so on. Solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, pesticides, and various heavy metals are among the most prevalent compounds implicated. As a result, the occurrence of the phenomenon is highly correlated with the intensities and industrialisation of chemical use.

The following are some of the most common sources of Soil Pollution:

Fertilizer usage is increasing.

Insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides are used indiscriminately.

Solid waste disposal

Deforestation

Effects of Soil Pollution

As we go about our lives, we disregard the devastating effects of Soil Pollution on the Ecosystem and inevitably our health.

When we consume the food grown on such polluted Soil the crop absorbs it and then is passed on to us and leads to fatal diseases overtime.

Soil loses its fertility and stunts the growth of the plants and when they are harvested the contaminated Soil becomes futile as it is no longer useful for further cultivation as such lands become incompetent to support life and are deserted leaving more space to dump such harmful waste this cyclical nature of cause and effect is deadly.

The food that is produced from such lands also lacks good nutrients and thus creates another generation of malnourished children which hinders their natural growth physically and mentally.

The underground Soil water when it meets the natural aquatic bodies, it does a great deal of damage to aquatic life, both plants that grow underwater and animals.

Soil Pollution's Consequences

Some radioactive pollutants from nuclear reactors, explosions, hospitals, science labs, and other sources penetrate deeply into the Soil, where they linger for a long time and pollute the Soil.

False agricultural practices involving advanced agro-technology entail the use of massive volumes of harmful fertilisers such as herbicides, weedicides, insecticides, and other chemicals, which improve Soil fertility while gradually reducing Soil physio-chemical and biological qualities. Other forms of Soil Pollution include municipal rubbish, food processing waste, mining practices, and many others.

Soil Pollution is extremely detrimental to one's health since poisonous substances enter the body through the food chain and disrupt the entire inner body system. Individuals, particularly industrialists, should adopt all effective control measures, including environmental protection regulations, in order to reduce and minimise Soil Pollution. People should encourage the recycling and reuse of solid waste, as well as the planting of as many trees as possible.

Ways to Curb Soil Pollution

The most important step in starting to solve this problem is by creating awareness and informing people about the dire consequences, and how their contribution can do good to the ecosystem and human nature. The possible solutions to these problems are-

No excess use of fertilizers, and other chemicals used. As these are useful only in required quantities and when overdone leads to the damage so one can avoid overuse of the harmful substances containing chemicals.

Encouraging afforestation i.e. the planting of trees as the more trees planted the Erosion of Soil will be less and this will help in retaining the useful chemicals in the Soil and hence increasing the fertility of the Soil as well.

Recycling and reusing of waste materials will help a great deal and lessen the harm to a greater degree.

As the saying goes Prevention is better than cure, it is better to take steps in creating a safer environment instead of regretting later. India being Agricultural Land, we can take steps to organize programs and educate the farmers and other locals to use natural manure, and make them aware of the problems caused by chemicals used.

FAQs on Soil Pollution Essay

1. How can we Control Soil Pollution?

On an individual level, we have to take it upon ourselves to reduce the amount of waste produced due to our regular activities on a daily basis. We should also plant more trees and encourage nearby ones to do the same. The effect is more impactful when individuals take accountability for their duty to give back to nature. Students can learn how to control Soil Pollution and educate their elders for the same.

2. What are the different types of Soil Pollution?

There are two types of Soil Pollution, the one caused by natural disasters like floods which also erodes the Soil, this can be in a specific region or can be widespread. The other one is man-made or called anthropogenic type which is the major cause of the problem. We cannot control the natural one but the man-made one. By taking to certain protocols and following the code of conduct, we will be able to control the Soil Pollution caused by the people.

3. How to curb Soil Pollution?

There are three ways to curb Soil Pollution. One way is to not use excess fertilisers and chemicals on the ground. The fertilisers can cause degradation of the Soil and kill the organic microorganisms that help to promote Soil fertility. The second way is by recycling and reusing man-made products. We should ban plastic and opt for products that can be reused and recycled. Trees should be planted and deforestation should be in control. For every tree cut, there should be twice the plantation.

4. How can chemicals affect biodiversity?

The fertilisers used as chemicals in the Soil can affect crop growth. It kills the macronutrients that are essential and causes toxic effects to the crop. These when taken up by humans or animals can promote biomagnification and increase toxicity at every level in the food chain. Even when we water the crops, the water can contain toxic chemicals and affect aquatic marine life. Hence the chemicals can affect biodiversity to a broad level.

5. Is an Essay on Soil Pollution for Students in English helpful?

Yes, the Essay on Soil Pollution for Students in English is very helpful. Firstly it helps the student to know about Soil Pollution and its prevention. Secondly, students will be able to write a well-composed essay on the topic of Soil Pollution. It is important to get environmental knowledge and write it properly in English medium. Regular practice and learning can help students to compose a good essay on diverse topics. Learn and read to get a better grip on essay writing.

Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Water Conservation — Soil and Water Conservation: Importance, Techniques, and Challenges

Soil and Water Conservation: Importance, Techniques, and Challenges

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

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Introduction, techniques for soil and water conservation, challenges to soil and water conservation.

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Essay on Soil – 10 Lines, 100, 200, 500, 1500 Words

Essay on Soil: Soil is a vital component of our ecosystem, playing a crucial role in supporting plant life and providing essential nutrients for crops. In this essay, we will explore the importance of soil, its composition, and the various factors that can affect its health and fertility. From erosion to pollution, soil faces numerous threats that can impact its ability to sustain life. By understanding the significance of soil and the challenges it faces, we can work towards preserving and protecting this precious resource for future generations.

Table of Contents

Soil Essay Writing Tips

1. Start by introducing the topic of soil and its importance in the environment. You can mention how soil is a vital resource for agriculture, biodiversity, and water filtration.

2. Provide a brief overview of the different types of soil, such as sandy, clay, and loamy soil. Explain how each type has its own unique characteristics and properties.

3. Discuss the composition of soil, including organic matter, minerals, water, and air. Explain how these components interact to create a healthy soil ecosystem.

4. Highlight the role of soil in supporting plant growth and providing nutrients for crops. You can mention how soil fertility is essential for sustainable agriculture and food production.

5. Explain the importance of soil conservation practices, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and no-till farming. Discuss how these practices help prevent soil erosion and maintain soil health.

6. Discuss the impact of human activities on soil quality, such as deforestation, urbanization, and industrial agriculture. Explain how these activities can lead to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity.

7. Highlight the importance of soil testing and analysis in determining soil health and fertility. Explain how soil testing can help farmers make informed decisions about fertilization and crop management.

8. Discuss the role of soil in carbon sequestration and climate regulation. Explain how healthy soils can help mitigate climate change by storing carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

9. Conclude your essay by emphasizing the importance of protecting and preserving soil for future generations. You can mention the need for sustainable land management practices and policies to ensure the health and productivity of our soils.

10. Proofread and revise your essay to ensure clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Make sure to cite any sources you used for information or data on soil science and conservation.

By following these writing tips, you can create a well-structured and informative essay on soil that highlights its importance in the environment and the need for sustainable soil management practices.

Essay on Soil in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Soil is a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. 2. It is essential for plant growth and provides nutrients and support for roots. 3. Soil formation is a slow process that can take hundreds to thousands of years. 4. Different types of soil have varying levels of fertility, drainage, and pH levels. 5. Soil erosion, caused by factors such as deforestation and improper farming practices, can lead to loss of topsoil and decreased crop yields. 6. Soil pollution from chemicals, heavy metals, and waste can contaminate groundwater and harm ecosystems. 7. Soil conservation methods, such as terracing and cover cropping, help prevent erosion and maintain soil health. 8. Soil testing is important for determining nutrient levels and pH balance for optimal plant growth. 9. Healthy soil is teeming with microorganisms that break down organic matter and release nutrients for plants. 10. Understanding and protecting soil is crucial for sustainable agriculture and food security.

Sample Essay on Soil in 100-180 Words

Soil is a vital component of the Earth’s ecosystem, playing a crucial role in supporting plant growth and providing nutrients for living organisms. It is a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air that forms the top layer of the Earth’s surface.

Soil is essential for agriculture, as it provides a medium for plant roots to anchor and absorb nutrients. It also helps to regulate water flow and filter pollutants, making it an important part of the water cycle.

Healthy soil is teeming with microorganisms that break down organic matter and release nutrients that plants need to grow. However, soil can become degraded through erosion, pollution, and overuse, leading to loss of fertility and biodiversity.

It is important to protect and conserve soil through sustainable farming practices, reforestation, and erosion control measures to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from this precious resource.

Short Essay on Soil in 200-500 Words

Soil is a vital component of the Earth’s ecosystem, playing a crucial role in supporting plant life, storing water, and providing a habitat for a wide range of organisms. It is a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air, and is formed through the weathering of rocks and the decomposition of plant and animal matter.

One of the key functions of soil is to support plant growth by providing nutrients, water, and a stable substrate for roots to anchor themselves. The mineral content of soil, which includes elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is essential for plant growth and development. Organic matter in the soil, such as dead plant material and animal waste, also contributes to the nutrient content of the soil and helps to improve its structure.

In addition to supporting plant life, soil also plays a crucial role in the water cycle. Soil acts as a reservoir for water, storing it during periods of rainfall and releasing it slowly to plants and groundwater. The structure of the soil, including its texture and porosity, influences its ability to hold water and allow it to infiltrate into the ground. Healthy soil with a good structure can help prevent erosion and reduce the risk of flooding by absorbing and storing excess water.

Soil is also a habitat for a diverse range of organisms, from earthworms and insects to bacteria and fungi. These organisms play a vital role in the decomposition of organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil and making them available to plants. They also help to improve soil structure by breaking down organic matter and creating channels for air and water to move through the soil.

However, soil is not a limitless resource and can be easily degraded through human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and urban development. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and contamination by pollutants are all serious threats to soil health and can have far-reaching consequences for the environment and human well-being.

To protect and preserve soil, sustainable land management practices are essential. This includes practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced tillage, which help to maintain soil fertility and structure. Conservation measures such as planting trees, restoring wetlands, and reducing runoff can also help to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality.

In conclusion, soil is a precious resource that plays a vital role in supporting life on Earth. By understanding the importance of soil and adopting sustainable land management practices, we can ensure that this valuable resource continues to provide for our needs now and in the future.

Essay on Soil in 1000-1500 Words

Soil is a vital component of our planet’s ecosystem, playing a crucial role in supporting life on Earth. It is a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air that provides the necessary nutrients for plants to grow and thrive. In this essay, we will explore the importance of soil, its composition, and the various factors that affect its health and fertility.

Soil is the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems, serving as a medium for plant growth and providing a habitat for a wide variety of organisms. It is a dynamic and living system that is constantly changing and evolving through the processes of weathering, erosion, and decomposition. Soil is formed through the gradual breakdown of rocks and minerals by physical, chemical, and biological processes over millions of years. These processes result in the formation of different soil layers, each with its unique characteristics and properties.

The composition of soil can vary widely depending on factors such as climate, geology, vegetation, and human activities. The main components of soil include minerals, organic matter, water, and air. Minerals are the inorganic particles that make up the solid fraction of soil, providing essential nutrients for plant growth. Organic matter consists of decomposed plant and animal residues, which contribute to soil fertility and structure. Water is essential for plant growth and nutrient uptake, while air provides oxygen for soil organisms and helps maintain soil structure.

Soil is classified into different types based on its composition, texture, and structure. The most common soil types are sand, silt, and clay, with varying proportions of mineral particles. Sandy soils have large particles and drain quickly, while clay soils have small particles and hold water tightly. Loam soils are a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, providing a balance of drainage and water retention. Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates or clumps, which affects water infiltration, root penetration, and air circulation.

Soil fertility is a key aspect of soil health, referring to the ability of soil to provide essential nutrients for plant growth. Fertile soils contain a balanced supply of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients, which are essential for plant growth and development. Soil fertility can be influenced by factors such as soil pH, organic matter content, nutrient availability, and microbial activity. Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity, affecting nutrient availability and plant growth. Organic matter plays a crucial role in soil fertility by providing nutrients, improving soil structure, and supporting microbial activity.

Soil erosion is a major threat to soil health and fertility, resulting from the loss of topsoil through wind, water, or human activities. Erosion can lead to the degradation of soil quality, loss of nutrients, and reduced crop productivity. Soil erosion is exacerbated by factors such as deforestation, overgrazing, improper land management practices, and climate change. Sustainable soil management practices such as conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, and agroforestry can help reduce erosion and improve soil health.

Soil contamination is another significant issue that affects soil quality and human health. Contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and sewage can accumulate in soil through human activities and pose a risk to ecosystems and human health. Soil contamination can result in reduced crop yields, water pollution, and food safety concerns. Remediation techniques such as phytoremediation, bioremediation, and soil washing can help mitigate soil contamination and restore soil quality.

Soil biodiversity is a key aspect of soil health, referring to the variety and abundance of soil organisms that contribute to soil fertility and ecosystem functioning. Soil organisms such as bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and insects play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and soil structure formation. Soil biodiversity is influenced by factors such as land use, soil management practices, and climate change. Maintaining soil biodiversity is essential for sustainable agriculture, ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity conservation.

Soil conservation is a critical aspect of sustainable land management, aiming to protect and restore soil health and fertility. Soil conservation practices such as terracing, contour plowing, windbreaks, and riparian buffers can help reduce erosion, improve soil structure, and enhance water quality. Sustainable agriculture practices such as organic farming, agroecology, and permaculture promote soil health and biodiversity while minimizing environmental impacts. Soil conservation is essential for ensuring the long-term productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems.

In conclusion, soil is a vital resource that sustains life on Earth and supports ecosystems, agriculture, and human well-being. Understanding the importance of soil, its composition, and the factors that affect its health and fertility is crucial for sustainable land management and environmental conservation. By adopting sustainable soil management practices, protecting soil biodiversity, and promoting soil conservation, we can ensure the health and productivity of our soils for future generations. Soil is a precious resource that must be preserved and protected for the benefit of all living organisms on Earth.

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Soil Pollution Essay

Updated November 21, 2023

Introduction to Soil Pollution

“The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.” – Chief Seattle.

The words of Chief Seattle, a Native American leader, echo through time, reminding us of our profound connection to the land we inhabit. However, in an era marked by relentless industrialization and rapid urbanization, the very soil beneath our feet, the foundation of life itself, is under siege. Soil pollution, a silent and insidious enemy, threatens the environment and future generations’ health and well-being. To put this issue in perspective, consider this alarming statistic: every year, an estimated 24 billion tons of fertile soil, equivalent to over 3 tons for every person on the planet, is lost due to pollution and degradation. This silent crisis deserves our immediate attention and concerted action. This essay will explore the causes, effects, and potential solutions to soil pollution, a challenge that demands our commitment to preserving the fragile equilibrium of our shared home – Earth.

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Causes of Soil Pollution

Soil pollution results from various human activities and natural processes that introduce harmful substances into the soil, disrupting its composition and compromising its quality. Understanding these causes is crucial in devising effective strategies to combat soil pollution. Here are some of the primary causes:

1. Industrial Activities

Industries are significant contributors to soil pollution. Chemical factories, manufacturing plants, and processing industries often release hazardous chemicals and pollutants directly into the soil or nearby water bodies. These substances include heavy metals, solvents, and toxic byproducts, which can contaminate the soil and disrupt its natural balance.

2. Agricultural Practices

While essential for feeding the growing global population, modern agricultural practices often involve using pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. These agrochemicals seep into the soil when used excessively or improperly, leading to contamination. Moreover, monoculture, improper irrigation, and overuse of pesticides can degrade soil quality over time.

3. Improper Waste Disposal

Inadequate disposal of various types of waste, such as household, industrial, and electronic, can introduce harmful substances into the soil. Landfills, if not properly designed and managed, can leak toxic chemicals into the surrounding soil, contaminating it for years. Dumping of hazardous waste illegally exacerbates the issue.

4. Mining and Construction Activities

Mining operations and large-scale construction projects often involve excavation, which exposes underlying soil layers. Chemicals and heavy metals in the soil can be released during these activities, contaminating the surrounding land. Improper handling of mining byproducts, such as tailings, can also lead to soil pollution.

5. Deforestation and Soil Erosion

Deforestation disrupts the natural vegetation cover, leading to soil erosion. When the topsoil, rich in nutrients, is eroded away, the soil lacks fertility. Soil erosion is exacerbated by poor agricultural practices and construction activities, leaving the land barren and susceptible to pollution.

6. Accidental Spills and Leaks

Accidental spills of hazardous substances, such as oil, chemicals, or sewage, can lead to immediate soil pollution. These incidents often occur during transportation or storage of toxic materials and can have severe and lasting effects on the soil and surrounding ecosystems.

7. Atmospheric Deposition

Airborne pollutants, including heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial emissions, can settle onto the soil through precipitation (acid rain) or atmospheric dust. Over time, these pollutants accumulate in the soil, affecting its quality and fertility.

Effects of Soil Pollution

Soil pollution has profound implications beyond just the ground under our feet. It impacts ecosystems, biodiversity, human health, and the economy in various ways. Here are some of the primary effects of soil pollution:

1. Environmental Consequences

Loss of Biodiversity: Soil pollution disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems, leading to a decline in biodiversity. Many plants, animals, and microorganisms depend on healthy soil for survival. When the soil is contaminated, these species suffer; some may even become endangered or extinct.
Habitat Destruction: Pollution can make certain areas uninhabitable for various organisms, reducing available habitats and contributing to habitat destruction.
Soil Degradation: Soil pollution depletes the fertility and structure of the soil, making it less suitable for plant growth. This can result in soil degradation and desertification, turning once-arable land into barren wastelands.

2. Human Health Implications

Contaminated Food Supply: Plants can absorb soil pollutants and enter the food chain. Humans may be exposed to dangerous elements such as heavy metals and organic pollutants when they consume crops cultivated in polluted soil, which can cause cancer, developmental defects, and organ damage.
Direct Exposure: People can contact contaminated soil directly, especially in high pollution levels. This can result in skin disorders, respiratory issues, and other health problems.
Water Contamination: When contaminants seep through the soil into underground aquifers, they can contaminate groundwater. This contaminated groundwater could be a source of drinking water, putting human health at risk.

3. Economic Impact

Agricultural Decline: Soil pollution can significantly reduce agricultural productivity. Crops grown in contaminated soil yield lower quantities and lower-quality produce. This can result in economic losses for farmers and food shortages in impacted areas.
Property Values: Contaminated soil can reduce property values, making it difficult for landowners to sell or develop their land. It can also lead to increased costs for land remediation and legal liabilities.
Cleanup Costs: The costs associated with cleaning up polluted soil, especially at industrial and waste disposal sites, can be substantial. Taxpayers or private entities often fund these cleanup efforts.

Case Studies

The following case studies illustrate the diverse nature of soil pollution incidents and the impact they have on ecosystems, communities, and economies:

1. Love Canal, USA (1978)

Background : Love Canal, located in Niagara Falls, New York, gained international attention when it was discovered that a residential neighborhood had been built on top of a former chemical waste disposal site.
Cause : The Hooker Chemical Company had disposed of toxic waste in the canal, which led to soil and groundwater contamination.
Effects : Residents had serious health problems, including birth abnormalities and cancer. The disaster spurred the United States to enact the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

2. Bhopal, India (1984)

Background : The main cause of the Bhopal disaster was the release of methyl isocyanate gas from a Union Carbide pesticide plant.
Cause : Chemicals released during the gas leak contaminated the soil in and around the plant site.
Effects : The soil remained polluted with heavy metals and other toxic substances, affecting agricultural productivity and posing ongoing health risks for local communities.

3. Minamata, Japan (1950s-1960s)

Background : Industrial wastewater containing mercury was discharged into Minamata Bay by the Chisso Corporation.
Cause : The mercury in the water accumulates in the sediment, contaminating marine life and subsequently affecting the soil in the surrounding areas.
Effects : Consumption of contaminated fish led to severe health issues, known as Minamata disease, including neurological damage and birth defects.

4. Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986)

Background : The Chernobyl nuclear disaster released radioactive materials into the environment.
Cause : The incident led to widespread soil contamination with radioactive isotopes, including cesium-137 and strontium-90.
Effects : Contaminated soil in the exclusion zone limits agricultural activities and poses ongoing risks to human health.

5. Guanajuato, Mexico (2006)

Background : Lead-acid battery recycling plants in Guanajuato released lead and other pollutants into the air and soil.
Cause : Improper disposal and handling of lead-acid batteries led to soil contamination in residential areas.
Effects : Elevated blood lead levels were found in children, leading to neurological and developmental issues. The incident prompted regulatory actions and cleanup efforts.

Pollutants Contaminating the Soil

Here are some common pollutants that contaminate the soil:

1. Heavy Metals

Sources : Industrial discharges, mining activities, and improper electronic waste disposal contribute to heavy metal contamination. Common heavy metals include lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
Effects : Heavy metals can accumulate in the soil, threatening plant and microbial life. They can also leach into groundwater, leading to potential human exposure and health risks.

2. Pesticides and Herbicides

Sources : Agricultural practices often involve the excessive use of pesticides and herbicides, which can result in these chemicals entering the soil due to improper application.
Effects : Pesticides and herbicides can persist in the soil, affecting non-target organisms, disrupting ecosystems, and potentially entering the food chain, posing risks to human health.

3. Industrial Chemicals

Sources : Industrial activities release many environmental chemicals, including solvents, heavy industrial metals, and organic compounds.
Effects : Industrial pollutants can contaminate the soil, affecting soil structure and microbial activity. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can bioaccumulate in organisms, posing long-term ecological and human health risks.

4. Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Sources : Oil spills, leaking underground storage tanks, and improper disposal of petroleum products contribute to soil contamination with hydrocarbons.
Effects : Petroleum hydrocarbons can alter soil structure and hinder microbial activity. In severe cases, they can contaminate groundwater, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.

5. Radioactive Substances

Sources : Nuclear accidents, industrial activities involving radioactive materials, and improper disposal of radioactive waste contribute to soil contamination with radioactive substances.
Effects : Radioactive pollutants can persist in the soil for extended periods, leading to long-term environmental and human health risks. Contaminated areas may be restricted for agricultural use.

6. Agricultural Runoff

Sources : Excess fertilizer use and runoff from agricultural fields can introduce nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil.
Effects : While essential for plant growth, excessive nutrients can lead to soil degradation, nutrient imbalances, and water pollution. This phenomenon is often associated with eutrophication in water bodies.

7. Plastic and Microplastics

Sources : Improper disposal of plastic waste and the breakdown of larger plastic items contribute to soil contamination with microplastics.
Effects : Microplastics can accumulate in the soil, affecting soil structure and potentially entering the food chain. The long-term effects of microplastic contamination are still being studied.

Solutions to Soil Pollution

Here are some effective strategies to mitigate and prevent soil pollution:

Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Encourage the adoption of organic farming methods that minimize synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This promotes soil health and biodiversity. Implement crop rotation and diversification strategies to maintain soil fertility, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and prevent the buildup of pests and diseases.
Responsible Waste Management: Promote recycling programs for household, industrial, and electronic waste to prevent the improper disposal of hazardous materials. Improve landfill design and management practices to minimize the leaching of pollutants into the soil. Encourage the use of modern landfill technologies, such as liners and leachate collection systems.
Contaminated Site Remediation: Utilize biological processes to clean up contaminated soil through bioremediation. Microorganisms can be introduced to break down or neutralize pollutants, restoring soil quality. Use plants to absorb, accumulate, or transform contaminants in the soil through phytoremediation. Certain plant species can extract and retain contaminants, aiding soil remediation.
Regulation and Enforcement: Implement and enforce stringent regulations on industrial discharges, waste disposal, and the use of agrochemicals. Penalties for non-compliance should act as deterrents to irresponsible practices. Implement effective land-use planning to prevent incompatible activities in areas vulnerable to soil pollution. Establish buffer zones between industrial sites and residential areas.
Education and Awareness: Raise awareness about the impacts of soil pollution through public awareness campaigns. Inform communities about proper waste disposal, sustainable agriculture, and the importance of soil conservation. Provide training and support for farmers to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.
Sustainable Land Management: Planting trees helps prevent soil erosion, enhances soil structure, and contributes to the absorption of pollutants through afforestation and reforestation. Implement erosion control measures such as terracing, cover cropping, and contour plowing to minimize soil erosion and degradation.
Research and Monitoring: Regularly test soil quality and pollution levels to identify potential issues early through soil testing and monitoring. Implement systems for continuous monitoring, especially in areas with a history of contamination. Invest in research to develop innovative technologies and approaches for soil remediation. Support the development of sustainable alternatives to current agricultural and industrial practices through research and innovation.

Measures Taken by Governments

Governments worldwide have recognized the urgency of addressing soil pollution and have implemented various measures to mitigate its impact. These proactive steps include:

Environmental Legislation: Governments enact and enforce stringent environmental laws regulating industrial emissions, waste disposal, and agrochemical use to prevent soil pollution at its sources.
Soil Monitoring Programs: Governments institute soil monitoring programs to assess pollution levels, identify contaminated areas, and implement targeted remediation efforts.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, governments encourage farmers to adopt organic farming, agroecological methods, and precision farming to minimize the use of chemical inputs.
Waste Management Regulations: Implementing comprehensive waste management regulations ensures proper disposal of hazardous waste, reducing the risk of soil contamination from landfills and illegal dumping.
Brownfield Redevelopment Programs: Governments initiate programs to rehabilitate contaminated sites (brownfields), promoting their safe reuse after thorough remediation.
Research and Innovation Funding: Governments support the development of new technologies for soil remediation and sustainable land management practices by investing in research and innovation.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Governments conduct public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the impact of soil pollution and promote responsible waste disposal and sustainable lifestyle choices.
International Collaboration: Participating in international agreements and collaborations, governments work collectively to address cross-border soil pollution issues, sharing best practices and resources.

Soil pollution is a serious threat to the delicate balance of our environment and significantly impacts biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience. Urgent action is necessary to recognize its pervasive effects on ecosystems and human health. We can protect the vitality of our soil through sustainable agricultural practices, responsible waste management, and strict regulations. Preserving this foundational resource is an environmental necessity and a collective responsibility for a sustainable future.

Essay on Soil Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on soil pollution.

Soil is a thin layer made up of organic as well as inorganic materials. These materials cover the rocky surfaces of Earth. Also, the organic portion, which is derived from the decayed remains of animals and plants. While the inorganic portion is made up of rock fragments. This portion was formed over a thousand years of chemical and physical weathering of bedrock. Productive soils are useful for agriculture in order to supply the world with the required food. So, the essay on soil pollution is guided to factors causing soil pollution and the adverse effects of soil pollution.

How does Soil Get Polluted?

Soil pollution can be defined as persistent of chemicals, salts, toxic compounds, radioactive materials, that have adverse effects on animal health and plant growth. There are many ways through which soils can get polluted. These are:

Discharge of industrial waste into the Earth surfaces.
Seepage through a landfill.
Underground storage tanks getting ruptured.
Formation of contaminated water into the soil.
Solid waste seepage.
Chemicals like heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, and pesticides.

Causes of Soil Pollution

A soil pollutant is a factor that is used for deterioration of soil due to texture, mineral, or quality content of soil being reduced. Also, this disturbs the biological balance of the organisms dependant on the soil. Additionally, there are adverse effects of soil pollution on the growth of plants. Usually, soil pollution is caused due to the presence of man-made applications like percolation of contaminated surface water, pesticides, fuel dumping, oil dumping, etc.

Additionally, there are other activities like leaching of wastes from landfills, direct discharge of industrial wastes into the soil, etc. Also, the most common chemicals involved here are solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, pesticides, and various heavy metals. So, the phenomena occurring has a high correlation with the intensities and industrialization of chemical usage.

Some of the main causes of soil pollution are:

Increasing use of fertilizers
Indiscriminate use of insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides
Dumping of solid wastes
Deforestation

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Effects of Soil Pollution

Some radioactive pollutants from sources such as nuclear reactors, explosions, hospitals, science labs, etc. go very deep into the soil, stay there for a long time and cause soil pollution.

False agricultural practices using advanced agro-technology mean the use of enormous amounts of toxic fertilizers including herbicides, weedicides, pesticides, etc. increases soil fertility but gradually decreases soil physio-chemical and biological properties. Municipal trash heap, food processing waste, mining methods, and many more are other sources of soil pollution.

Because toxic chemicals enter the body through the food chain and disturb the entire inner body system, soil pollution is very dangerous to health. In order to decrease and limit soil pollution, the individuals particularly industrialists should follow all efficient control measures including environmental protection laws. People should promote the recycling and reuse of solid waste and maximum feasible tree plantation.

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Essay on Soil for School and College Students | Essay | Soil Science

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Here is a compilation of essays on “Soil” for class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on “Soil” especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Soil

Essay Contents:

Essay on the Formation of Soil

1. Essay on the Meaning and Importance of Soil:

Meaning of soil:.

Soil (sometimes called dirt) is the combination of rock, mineral fragments (pieces), organic matter (dead and living things), water, and air. It is mostly made up of grains of rock weathered by wind, rain, sun, snow, etc., and varying amounts of humus. The type of soil depends on the mix of humus and on the size of the grains of the rock. The grains can be very small and smooth, such as clay, or they can be larger, like grains of sand or even a piece of gravel.

Importance of Soil:

Soils are important to our ecosystem for six main reasons:

1. Soils are a place for plants to grow;

2. Soils control the speed and the purity of water that moves through them;

3. Soils recycle nutrients from dead animals and plants;

4. Soils change the air that surrounds the earth, called the atmosphere;

5. Soils are a place to live for animals, insects and very small living things called microorganisms;

6. Soils are the oldest and the most used building materials.

The climate is very important when soil is made. Soil from different climates can have very different qualities. Soil is a natural body consisting of layers that are primarily composed of minerals which differ from their parent materials in their texture, structure, consistency, color, chemical, biological and other characteristics.

It is the unconsolidated or loose covering of fine rock particles that covers the surface of the earth. Soil is the end product of the influence of the climate (temperature, precipitation), relief (slope), organisms (flora and fauna), parent materials (original minerals), and time. In engineering terms, soil is referred to as regolith, or loose rock material that lies above the ‘solid geology’.

In horticulture, the terms ‘soil’ is defined as the layer that contains organic material that influences and has been influenced by plant roots and may range in depth from centimeters to many meters. Soil is composed of particles of broken rock (parent materials) which have been altered by physical, chemical and biological processes that include weathering (disintegration) with associated erosion (movement).

Soil is altered from its parent material by the interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. It is a mixture of mineral and organic materials in the form of solids, gases and liquids.

Soil is commonly referred to as “earth” or “dirt”; technically, the term “dirt” should be restricted to displaced soil.

Parent Material :

The mineral material from which a soil forms is called parent material. Rock, whether its origin is igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic, is the source of all soil mineral materials and origin of all plant nutrients with the exceptions of nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon. As the parent material is chemically and physically weathered, transported, deposited and precipitated, it is transformed into a soil.

Typical soil mineral materials are quartz:

SiO 2 Calcite: CaCO 3 , Feldspar: KAlSi 3 O 8 , Mica (biotite): K (Mg, Fe) 3 AlSi 3 O 10 (OH) 2 .

Organic Matter of Soil :

The organic soil matter includes all the dead plant material and all creatures, live and dead. Most of the living things in soils are including plants, insects, bacteria and fungi. Soils have varying organic compounds in varying degrees of decomposition. Organic matter holds soils open, allowing the infiltration of air and water, and may hold as much as twice its weight in water.

Many soils, including desert and rocky-gravel soils, have little or no organic matter. Soils that are all organic matter, such as peat (histosols), are infertile. Humus refers to organic matter that has been decomposed by bacteria, fungi, and protozoa to the final point where it is resistant to further breakdown.

Humic acids and fulvic acids, which begin as raw organic matter, are important constituents of humus. After the death of plants and animals, microbes begin to feed on the residues, resulting finally in the formation of humus. Humus formation is a process dependent on the amount of plant material added each year and the type of base soil. Both are affected by climate and the type of organisms present.

Humus usually constitutes only five percent of the soil or less by volume, but it is an essential Source of nutrients and adds important textural qualities crucial to soil health and plant growth. Humus also holds bits of un-decomposed organic matter which feed arthropods and worms which further improve the soil.

The degradation of water-soluble constituents contains cellulose, hemicellulose and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur. Humus has a high cation exchange capacity that on a dry weight basis is many times greater than that of clay colloids. It also acts as a buffer, like clay, against changes in pH and soil moisture.

2. Essay on the Classification of Soil :

Soil is classified into categories in order to understand relationships between different soils and to determine the suitability of a soil for a particular use. One of the first classification systems was developed by the Russian scientist Dokuchaev around 1880. It was modified a number of times by American and European researchers, and developed into the system commonly used until the 1960s.

It was based on the idea that soils have a particular morphology based on the materials and factors that form them. In the 1960s, a different classification system began to emerge which focused on soil morphology instead of parental materials and soil- forming factors. Since then it has undergone further modifications.

The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) aims to establish an international reference base for soil classification. Taxonomy is an arrangement in a systematic manner. They are, from most general to specific: order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family and series. The soil properties that can be measured quantitatively are used to classify soils. A partial list is: depth, moisture, temperature, texture, structure, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, clay mineralogy, organic matter content and salt content.

In the United States, soil orders are the top hierarchical level of soil classification in the USDA soil taxonomy. The names of the orders end with the suffix -sol. There are 12 soil orders in Soil Taxonomy.

The criteria for the order divisions include properties that reflect major differences in the genesis of soils:

a. Alfisol:

Soils with aluminium and iron. They have horizons of clay accumulation, and form where there is enough moisture and warmth for at least three months of plant growth. They constitute 10.1% of soils worldwide.

b. Andisols:

Volcanic ash soils. They are young and very fertile. They cover 1% of the world’s ice-free surface.

c. Aridisol:

Dry soils forming under desert conditions which have fewer than 90 consecutive days of moisture during the growing season. They include nearly 12% of soils on Earth. Soil formation is slow, and accumulated organic matter is scarce. They may have subsurface zones of caliche or duripan. Many aridisols have well-developed Bt horizons showing clay movement from past periods of greater moisture.

d. Entisol:

Recently formed soils that lack well-developed horizons. Commonly found on unconsolidated river and beach sediments of sand and clay or volcanic ash, some have an A horizon on top of bedrock. They are 18% of soils worldwide.

e. Gelisols:

Permafrost soils with permafrost within two meters of the surface or gelic materials and permafrost within one meter. They constitute 9.1% of soils worldwide.

f. Histosol:

Organic soils, formerly called bog soils, are 1.2% of soils worldwide.

g. Inceptisol:

Young soils. They have subsurface horizon formation but show little eluviation and illuviation. They constitute 15% of soils worldwide.

h. Mollisols:

Soft, deep, dark fertile soil formed in grasslands and some hardwood forests with very thick A horizons. They are 7% of soils worldwide.

Oxisol are the most weathered, are rich in iron and aluminum oxides (sesquioxides) and kayolin but low in silica. They have only trace nutrients due to heavy tropical rainfall and high temperatures. They are 7.5% of soils worldwide.

j. Spodosol:

Acid soils with organic colloid layer complexed with iron and aluminium leached from a layer above. They are typical soils of coniferous and deciduous forests in cooler climates. They constitute 4% of soils worldwide.

k. Ultisol:

Acid soils in humid climates, tropical to subtropical temperatures, which are heavily, leached of Ca, Mg, and K nutrients. They are not quite Oxisols. They are 8.1% of the soil worldwide.

l. Vertisol:

Inverted soils. They are clay-rich and tend to swell when wet and shrink upon drying, often forming deep cracks into which surface layers can fall. They are difficult to farm and on which to construct roads and buildings due to their high expansion rate. They constitute 2.4% of soils worldwide.

3. Essay on the Physical Properties of Soil:

The physical properties of soils, in order of decreasing importance, are texture, structure, density, porosity, consistency, temperature, colour and resistivity. Most of these determine the aeration of the soil and the ability of water to infiltrate and to be held in the soil.

Soil texture is determined by the relative proportion of the three kinds of soil particles, called soil “separates”: sand, silt, and clay. Larger soil structures called “peds” are created from the separates when iron oxides, carbonates, clay, and silica with the organic constituent humus, coat particles and cause them to adhere into larger, relatively stable secondary structures. Soil density, particularly bulk density, is a measure of soil compaction.

Soil porosity consists of the part of the soil volume occupied by air and water. Soil consistency is the ability of soil to stick together. Soil temperature and colour are self-defining.

The properties may vary through the depth of a soil profile. Soil organisms are hindered by high acidity, and most agricultural crops do best with mineral soils of pH 6.5 and organic soils of pH 5.5. The effect of pH on a soil is to remove from the soil or to make available certain ions.

a. Soil Texture :

The mineral soil particles differ widely in size. Some are seen with naked eye, while others are small enough to exhibit colloidal properties. The term soil texture is an expression of the size range of the individual particles and it has both qualitative and quantitative connotations.

Qualitatively, it refers to the ‘feel’ of the soil material, whether coarse and gritty or smooth. Quantitatively, soil texture refers to relative proportion of various sizes of particles in a given soil. Most natural field soils are composed of mineral particles, including coarse fragments, gravel, sands of varying sizes, silt and clay. Soil texture is not readily subjected to change.

Many particle size classifications exist, each, of which having different class limits for each size fraction. Classification of International Society of Soil Science (ISSS) renamed as International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are widely followed (Table 4.1).

Physical Nature of Soil Separates :

Coarse fragments that range from 2 to 75 mm dia are termed gravel or pebbles, those ranging from 75 to 250 mm are called cobbles (if round) or flags (if flat) and those more than 250 mm across are called stones or boulders. Sand and gravel may be round or irregular. They are not sticky when wet. These are not plastic.

Water holding capacity of sand is low because of large pores between the particles. Soils dominated by sand are well drained. The specific surface area (total surface area of the particles per unit mass or unit volume of dry soil) may be about 0.1 m 2 g -1 for fine sand. Silt particles are intermediary in size and properties between sand and clay. Soil particles posses some plasticity, cohesion and adsorptive capacity, but much less than the clay separates. Silt may cause soil surface compact and crusty.

Clay particles vary in shape from plate like to round. When clay is wet, tends to be sticky and plastic or easily molded. Water and air movement is restricted. Water holding capacity is high. It becomes hard and cloddy when dry. The specific surface area ranges from 10 to 1000 m 2 g -1 compared to 1.0 and 0.1 m 2 g -1 for silt and fine sand, respectively.

Sand and loamy sand are the two recognised specific textural classes. Silt group includes soils with at least 80 per cent silt and 12 per cent or less clay. The properties of this group are determined by those of silt. A soil must contain at least 35 per cent clay and in most cases, not less than 40 per cent to be designated as clay.

In such soils, the characteristics of clay are dominant. The loam group is complicated in textural class. It is a mixture of sand, silt and clay and the properties are in equal proportion. Accurate and commonly used method for determining the soil textural class is laboratory method based on mechanical analysis. The USDA has developed triangular diagram for determining soil textural classes.

Importance of Soil Texture :

Coarse textured or sandy soils are loose, low water retentive, well drained, well aerated, easily cultivable and are called light soils. On the other hand, fine textured or clay soils tend to absorb and retain much more water as they have large surface area per unit volume. They become plastic and sticky when wet, hard and cohesive when dry, difficult to cultivate and are called heavy soils.

In general, sandy soils have low water and nutrient retentive capacity, low organic matter content, little or no swelling and shrinkage, high leaching of nutrients and pollutants. Fine sands are easily blown by wind. Silty soils have medium to high water and nutrient retentive capacity, moderate aeration, slow to medium drainage, medium to high organic matter content, usually, good supply of nutrients and moderate leaching of nutrients.

These soils are easily blown by wind and susceptible to water erosion, easily compacted, have little swelling and shrinkage and are relatively difficult to work at high moisture content. A loam soil contains a balanced mix of coarse and fine particles with properties intermediate among those of sand, silt and clay.

A loam soil is considered to be an ideal soil for crop growth. Its capacity to retain water and nutrients is superior to that of sand, while its drainage, aeration and tillage properties are often favourable than those of clay. The clayey soils have high water and nutrient retentive capacity, poor aeration, poor drainage, high to medium organic matter, medium to good supply of nutrients and high swelling and shrinkage. These soils resist wind erosion because of excellent sealing properties. They are easily compacted and retard leaching of nutrients and pollutants.

b. Soil Structure :

Soil structure is defined as the natural arrangement, orientation and organisation of particles in soil. It describes the overall arrangement or combination of primary soil separates into secondary groupings called aggregates or peds. Soil conditions and characteristics such as water movement, aeration, heat transfer and porosity are influenced by structure.

Types of Soil Structure :

Based on the arrangement of peds or aggregates, soil structure is classified into four principal types:

The aggregates are arranged in relatively thin horizontal plates. It is often formed from parent material and can also result due to compaction by heavy farm machinery.

Two types of this structure, columnar and prismatic, are vertically oriented aggregates, occurring commonly in surface horizons of semiarid and arid regions. The prisms having rounded tops called columnar structure mostly occur in subsoils of salt affected/sodic soils. Prismatic structures have the tops of prisms angular and are relatively flat horizontally.

All the three dimensions of the peds are more or less equal. They are cube like with flat or rounded faces. When the faces and edges are mainly round, they are called sub angular blocky. They are usually confined to subsoil.

Spheroidal:

Rounded aggregates are placed in this category. Relatively nonporous aggregates are called granules and the pattern granular. When the granules are especially porous, the term crumb is used.

Structural Management of Soils :

When the clay is deflocculated, as under the influence of exchangeable sodium, the soil aggregates, generally, collapse. Aggregates are also vulnerable to the effect of water, swelling and shrinkage, beating action of raindrop and scoring action of runoff. Cultivation when the soil is too wet or dry, excessive tillage and soil compaction also cause breakdown of soil aggregates. Close growing perennial plants with extensive root system such as grasses promote soil aggregation.

Unlike soil texture and specific soil surface, which are more or less constant for a given soil, structure is highly dynamic and may change gradually from time to time in response to changes in natural conditions, biological activity and soil management practices. Soil structure can be of decisive importance in determining soil productivity, since it greatly affects the water, air and heat regimes in the field.

Soil structure also influences the soil mechanical properties, which may in turn affect seed germination, seedling establishment and root growth. Soil structure can affect the performance of agricultural operations such as tillage, irrigation and drainage.

4. Essay on the Layers of Soil :

Soil is a thin layer of material on the Earth’s surface in which plants have their roots. It is made up of many things, such as weathered rock and decayed plant and animal matter. Soil is formed over a long period of time. Soil Formation takes place when many things interact, such as air, water, plant life, animal life, rocks, and chemicals.

The soil profile is one of the most important concepts in soil science. It is a key to understanding the processes that have taken in soil development and is the means of determining the types of soil that occur and is the basis for their classification. The soil profile is defined as a vertical section of the soil from the ground surface downwards to where the soil meets the underlying rock.

The soil profile can be as little as 10 cm thick in immature soils and as deep as several meters in tropical areas where the climate is conducive to rapid alteration of the underlying rock to form soil. In temperate areas, the soil/profile is often around a meter deep and in arid areas somewhat shallower than this.

All soil profiles are composed of a number of distinctive layers, termed horizons, interpretation of which is the key to understanding how the soil has formed. Most soils will have three or more horizons. Soils that have not been cultivated will normally have L, F and H layers at the surface.

These layers largely represent different degrees of decomposition of organic matter, the L layer representing the litter layer formed of recognizable plant and soil animal remains, the F layer below, the fermentation layer, usually consisting of a mixture of organic matter in different stages of decomposition, and the H layer, the humose layer, consisting largely of humified material with little or no plant structure visible. Below these, and in cultivated soils occupying the surface layer, is the A horizon composed of a more or less intimate mixture of mineral and organic matter.

(i) Organic Matter (O):

Litter layer of plant residues in relatively un-decomposed form. O horizons may be divided into O 1 and O 2 categories, whereby O 1 horizons contain decomposed matter whose origin can be spotted on sight (for instance, fragments of rotting leaves), and O 2 horizons containing only well-decomposed organic matter, the origin of which is not readily visible.

(ii) Horizon (P):

These horizons are also heavily organic, but are distinct from O horizons in that they form under water logged conditions. The “P” designation comes from their common name, peats. They may be divided into P 1 and P 2 in the same way as O Horizons. This layer accumulates iron, clay, aluminium and organic compounds, a process referred to as illuviation.

(iii) Surface Soil (A):

Layer of mineral soil with most organic matter accumulation and soil life. This layer is the top 15cm of the soil profile and has the highest percentage of organic matter. The layer was likely formed from decomposing plant and mineral. A” Horizons may be darker in color than deeper layers and contain more organic material, or they may be lighter but contain less clay or sesquioxides.

The A is a surface horizon, and as such is also known as the zone in which most biological activity occurs. Soil organisms such as earthworms, potworms (enchytraeids), arthropods, nematodes, fungi, and many species of bacteria and archaea are concentrated here, often in close association with plant roots.

A-horizons may also be the result of a combination of soil bio-turbation and surface processes that winnow fine particles from biologically mounded topsoil. In this case, the A- horizon is regarded as a “bio mantle”. This layer eluviates (is depleted of) iron, clay, aluminum, organic compounds, and other soluble constituents. When eluviation is pronounced, a lighter colored “E” subsurface soil horizon is apparent at the base of the “A” horizon.

(iv) Sub-Soil (B):

This layer accumulates iron, clay, aluminum and organic compounds, a process referred to as illuviation. A horizon, the B horizon may be divided into B 1 , B 2 , and B 3 types under the Australian system. B 1 is a transitional horizon of the opposite nature to an A3 – dominated by the properties of the B horizons below it, but containing some A-horizon characteristics.

The second layer or B1 horizon is similar to the A horizon and is found from 15-30cm. B 2 horizons have a concentration of clay, minerals, or organics and feature the strongest pedological development within the profile. It is sandy, with a slight increase in clay composition throughout its thickness of 30-60cm. B 3 horizons are transitional between the overlying B layers and the material beneath it.

The B 3 horizon is found from 60cm and beyond whether C or D horizon. The A 3 , B 1 , and B 3 horizons are not tightly defined, and their use is generally at the discretion of the individual worker. Plant roots penetrate through this layer, but it has very little humus. It is usually brownish or red because of the clay and iron oxides washed down from A horizon.

(v) Parent Rock (C):

Layer of large unbroken rocks. This layer may accumulate the more soluble compounds. The C Horizon may contain lumps or more likely large shelves of unweathered rock, rather than being made up solely of small fragments as in the solum. “Ghost” rock structure may be present within these horizons. The C horizon also contains parent material. It forms the framework of the soil. The A and B layers are formed by this layer. The C horizon forms as bed rock weathers and rock breaks up into particles.

(vi) Bedrock (R):

R horizons denote the layer of partially weathered bedrock at the base of the soil profile. Unlike the above layers, R horizons largely comprise continuous masses (as opposed to boulders) of hard rock that cannot be excavated by hand. Soils formed in situ will exhibit strong similarities to this bedrock layer.

(vii) Limnic (L):

Horizons or layers indicate mineral or organic material that has been deposited in water by precipitation or through the actions of aquatic organisms. Included are copro-genous earth (sedimentary peat), diatomaceous earth, and marl; and is usually found as a remnant of past bodies of standing water.

Sand and silt are the products of physical and chemical weathering; clay, on the other hand, is a product of chemical weathering but often forms as a secondary mineral precipitated from dissolved minerals. It is the specific surface area of soil particles and the unbalanced ionic charges within them that determine their role in the cation exchange capacity of soil, and hence its fertility.

Sand is least active, followed by silt; clay is the most active. Sand’s greatest benefit to soil is that it resists compaction and increases porosity. Silt is mineralogical like sand but with its higher specific surface area it is more chemically active than sand. But it is the clay content; with its very high specific surface area and generally large number of negative charges that gives a soil its high retention capacity for water and nutrients.

Clay soils also resist wind and water erosion better than silty and sandy soils, as the particles are bonded to each other. Calcium. Magnesium, Sulfur, Potassium; depending upon soil composition.

Nitrogen; usually little, unless nitrate fertilizer was applied recently.

Phosphorus; very little as its forms in soil are of low solubility.

Sand is the most stable of the mineral components of soil; it consists of rock fragments, primarily quartz particles, ranging in size from 2.0 to 0.05 mm (0.079 to 0.0020 in) in diameter. Silt ranges in size from 0.05 to 0.002 mm (0.002 to 0.00008 in). Clay cannot be resolved by optical microscopes as its particles are 0.002 mm (7.9 x 10-5 in) or less in diameter. In medium-textured soils, clay is often washed downward through the soil profile and accumulates in the subsoil.

Soil components larger than 2.0 mm (0.079 in) are classed as rock and gravel and are removed before determining the percentages of the remaining components and the texture class of the soil, but are included in the name. For example, a sandy loam soil with 20% gravel would be called gravelly sandy loam.

When the organic component of a soil is substantial, the soil is called organic soil rather than mineral soil.

A soil is called organic if:

Mineral fraction is 0% clay and organic matter is 20% or more.

Mineral fraction is 0% to 50% clay and organic matter is between 20% and 30%.

Mineral fraction is 50% or more clay and organic matter 30% or more.

5. Essay on the Formation of Soil:

Soil is the result of evolution from more ancient geological materials. Soil formation, or Pedogenesis, is the combined effect of physical, chemical, biological and anthropogenic processes on soil parent material. Soil is said to be formed when organic matter has accumulated and colloids are washed downward, leaving deposits of clay, humus, iron oxide, carbonate, and gypsum.

These constituents are moved (translocated) from one level to another by water and animal activity. As a result, layers (horizons) form in the soil profile. The alteration and movement of materials within a soil causes the formation of distinctive soil horizons. Soil formation proceeds are influenced by at least five classic factors. They are parent material, climate, topography (relief), organisms, and time.

The Weathering of lava flow bedrock, which would produce the purely mineral-based parent material from which the soil texture forms. Soil development would proceed most rapidly from bare rock of recent flows in a warm climate, under heavy and frequent rainfall. Under such conditions, plants become established very quickly on basaltic lava, even though there is very little organic material. The developing plant roots are associated with mycorrhizal fungi.

Soil Microbes :

Soil is the most abundant ecosystem on Earth, but the vast majority of organisms in soil are microbes, a great many of which have not been described. There may be a population limit of around one billion cells per gram of soil, but estimates of the number of species vary widely.

One estimate put the number at over a million species per gram of soil, although a later study suggests a maximum of just over 50,000 species per gram of soil. The total number of organisms and species can vary widely according to soil type, location, and depth.

Plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and humans affect soil formation. Animals, soil meso-fauna and micro-organisms mix soils as they form burrows and pores, allowing moisture and gases to move about. In the same way, plant roots open channels in soils. Plants with deep taproots can penetrate many meters through the different soil layers to bring up nutrients from deeper in the profile.

Plants with fibrous roots that spread out near the soil surface have roots that are easily decomposed, adding organic matter. Micro-organisms, including fungi and bacteria, affect chemical exchanges between roots and soil and act as a reserve of nutrients. Humans impact soil formation by removing vegetation cover with erosion as the result.

Their tillage also mixes the different soil layers, restarting the soil formation process as less weathered material is mixed with the more developed upper layers. Micro-organisms are able to metabolize the organic matter and release ammonium in a process called mineralization. Others take free ammonium and oxidize it to nitrate.

Particular bacteria are capable of metabolizing N 2 into the form of nitrate in a process called nitrogen fixation. Both ammonium and nitrate can be lost from the soil by incorporation into the microbes’ living cells, where it is temporarily immobilized or sequestered. Nitrate may also be lost from the soil when bacteria metabolize it to the gases N 2 and N 2 O. In that gaseous form, nitrogen escapes to the atmosphere in a process called denitrification.

Vegetation impacts soils in numerous ways. It can prevent erosion caused by excessive rain that results in surface runoff. Plants shade soils, keeping them cooler and slowing evaporation of soil moisture, or conversely, by way of transpiration, plants can cause soils to lose moisture.

Plants can form new chemicals that can break down minerals and improve soil structure. The type and amount of vegetation depends on climate, topography, soil characteristics, and biological factors. Soil factors such as density, depth, chemistry, pH, temperature and moisture greatly affect the type of plants that can grow in a given location.

Dead plants and fallen leaves and stems begin their decomposition on the surface. There, organisms feed on them and mix the organic material with the upper soil layers; these added organic compounds become part of the soil formation process.

Soil Water:

Water is the chemical substance with chemical formula H 2 O. One molecule of water has two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to a single oxygen atom. One molecule of water has two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to a single oxygen atom. Water is a tasteless, odorless liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, and appears colorless in small quantities, although it has its own intrinsic very light blue hue.

Ice also appears colorless, and water vapor is essentially invisible as a gas. Water is a tasteless, odorless liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, and appears colorless in small quantities, although it has its own intrinsic very light blue hue. Ice also appears colorless, and water vapor is essentially invisible as a gas.

Water affects soil formation, structure, stability and erosion but is of primary concern with respect to plant growth. Water is essential for plants. It constitutes 85%-95% of the plant’s protoplasm. It is essential for photosynthesis. It is the solvent in which nutrients are carried to, into and throughout the plant.

It provides the turgidity by which the plant keeps itself in proper position. In addition, water alters the soil profile by dissolving and re-depositing minerals, often at lower levels, and possibly leaving the soil sterile in the case of extreme rainfall and drainage. In a loam soil, solids constitute half the volume, air one-quarter of the volume, and water one-quarter of the volume, of which only half will be available to most plants.

The amount of water remaining in a soil drained to field capacity and the amount that is available are functions of the soil type. Sandy soil will retain very little water, while clay will hold the maximum amount.

The time required to drain a field from flooded condition for a clay loam that begins at 43% water by weight to a field capacity of 21.5% is six days, whereas a sandy loam that is flooded to its maximum of 22% water will take two days to reach field capacity of 11.3% water. The available water for the clay loam might be 11.3% whereas for the sandy loam it might be only 7.9% by weight.

Soil Atmosphere :

The atmosphere of soil is radically different from the atmosphere above. The consumption of oxygen, by microbes and plant roots and their release of carbon dioxide, decrease oxygen and increase carbon dioxide concentration. Atmospheric CO 2 concentration is 0.03%, but in the soil pore space it may range from 10 to 100 times that level.

At extreme levels CO 2 is toxic. In addition, the soil voids are saturated with water vapour. Adequate porosity is necessary not just to allow the penetration of water but also to allow gases to diffuse in and out. Movement of gases is by diffusion from high concentrations to lower.

Oxygen diffuses in and is consumed and excess levels of carbon dioxide, diffuse out with other gases as well as water. Soil texture and structure strongly affect soil porosity and gas diffusion. Platy and compacted soils impede gas flow, and a deficiency of oxygen may encourage anaerobic bacteria to reduce nitrate to the gases N 2 , N 2 O, and NO, which are then lost to the atmosphere.

Aerated soil is also a net sink of methane CH 4 but a net producer of greenhouse gases when soils are depleted of oxygen and subject to elevated temperatures.

Influences on Soil Formation :

Soil formation would begin with the plants, which are supported by the porous rock as it is filled with nutrient-bearing water that carries dissolved minerals from the rocks and guano. Crevasses and pockets, local topography of the rocks, would hold fine materials and harbour plant roots. That assist in breaking up the porous lava, and by these means organic matter and a finer mineral soil accumulate with time.

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Notes on Soil Profile (With Diagram)

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Essay Writing on Soil Conservation in English | English Essays for Students

Soil conservation means taking care of the soil to ensure its long-term health and prevent harm. It involves taking steps to prevent soil from erosion and pollution. This ensures that soil, which helps plants grow and provides us with life's essentials, remains rich and reliable for the present and the future.

Soil gets harmed in different ways. Erosion from heavy rain and wind strips away the topsoil, which holds nutrients. Chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, if used excessively, can damage the soil's natural balance. Poor land management practices, such as overgrazing or improper ploughing compacts soil, reducing water absorption, hindering plant growth, and disturbing beneficial soil organisms. Urbanization and deforestation also contribute, disrupting the soil structure. All these factors collectively undermine the soil's health and productivity, affecting plant growth and ecological balance.

To prevent soil erosion, start by planting trees, grasses and shrubs to create a barrier against wind and water. Build terraces on slopes to slow down the flow of water. Minimize the use of harmful chemicals that can degrade the soil. Crop rotation maintains soil health, and employing contour ploughing, which follows the natural shape of the land, reduces water speed. These collective efforts combat erosion and maintain soil sustainability.

To sum up, soil conservation is crucial for safeguarding our environment and ensuring food security. Implementing strategies like erosion control, pollution management, and sustainable land practices safeguards soil health for generations to come.

Soil Erosion, Its Factors and Preventive Measures Essay

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What is Soil?

Factors contributing to soil erosion, preventive measures.

Soil is the sediment, the surface layer of land produced as a result of transformations in rock materials that occurred under the influence of both living and dead organisms including plants, animals, and bacteria; solar heat, and atmospheric precipitation. Soil is a natural formation with a unique physical structure, chemical composition, and properties.

Fertility, i.e., the ability to provide conditions for the growth and development of plants, is the most essential of its qualities. To be fertile, the soil should comprise a sufficient level of nutrients and water needed for the nourishment of vegetation, micro-, and macrofauna (Wall & Bardgett, 2013). This property distinguishes soil from other natural bodies, such as barren stone, which cannot contain two major factors required for sustaining life – water and mineral elements.

Soil is the most important component of every terrestrial biocenosis (i.e., animal, plant, fungi, and microorganism aggregate united by their environment and inhabiting a particular land or water area) (Wall & Bardgett, 2013). It is also a vital element of the Earth’s biosphere as a whole – the soil cover allows the maintenance of multiple ecological links among all organisms living across different terrestrial layers including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Soil plays a significant role in various human economic activities such as agriculture and household. For this reason, we should be aware of soil properties, as well as the factors contributing to its formation or deterioration, because the given information is essential to resolving multiple healthcare, ecological, and urban planning issues.

Soil erosion is the process of destruction of the surface land layers which are characterized by the highest degree of fertility (Toy, Foster, & Renard, 2013). Soil erosion can be either natural or accelerated, i.e., anthropogenic. When occurs naturally, erosion proceeds at a very slow pace and usually does not result in a significant decrease in soil fertility.

The accelerated type of erosion implies an irrational use of land and is associated with activation and amplification of natural erosive processes. The irrational use of land includes such activities as inadequate soil treatment and irrigation, the excess input of fertilizers, grazing, deforestation, swamp drying, and so on.

Two major natural factors that determine soil erosion are wind and water. Wind erosion, also known as aeolian processes, is defined by researchers as “the emission, transport, and deposition of sand and dust by the wind” (Kok, Parteli, Michaels, & Karam, 2012, p. 4). The strongest and the most enduring winds turn into dust storms which can take off a large part of the nutrient-rich surface soil layer in a relatively short period of time.

The important impacts of dust emission are the reduction of soil fertility and the consequent contribution to the desertification and reduced agricultural productivity (Kok et al., 2012). Additionally, wind erosion changes the composition of the troposphere and, in this way, negatively affects the health of individuals who frequently inhale dust aerosols.

Water erosion implies the destruction and flushing of the surface land layers under the influence of water flows. The ecological impact of water erosion is large – it leads to the formation of gullies and ravines, significantly reduces the nutrient content of soil, and, as a result, causes soil infertility and development of hollow areas unsuitable for any agricultural activities. The land frequently exposed to this type of erosion loses from seven to thirteen tons per hectare of the most fertile soil per year (Toy et al., 2013).

Water Erosion

Organizational works: regular monitoring of land and development of maps and plans; evaluation of erosion processes and design of strategies for prevention. Preliminary planning is regarded as the primary success factor in fighting erosion (Toy et al., 2013).
Agromeliorative measures: implementation of a crop rotation system aimed to conserve soil. It includes the implantation of perennial crops, the placement of cultivated plants on the slopes, the development, and installation of snow retention systems aimed to prevent the flushing of the ground by meltwater (Toy et al., 2013).
Irrigation and drainage protection of soil: the implantation of forest strips on the slopes, the arrangement of canals for meltwater drainage, slope terracing, the creation of dams and artificial reservoirs. These measures allow to direct water drainage on restricted routes and protect the main landmass (Toy et al., 2013).

Wind Erosion

Implantation of high-growing crops, and forestation: those plans may significantly reduce wind velocity and become an effective protective barrier to its negative impacts. Additionally, the increase in vegetation supports moisture accumulation. According to Kok et al. (2012), “the presence of soil moisture can create substantial interparticle forces that inhibit the initiation of saltation, especially for sandy soils” (p. 66). Therefore, by increasing the capability to accumulate moisture, it is possible to mitigate the risk of dune development, reduce the level of dust emission, and the rapid changes in weather and environment.

The mentioned preventive agro-technologic methods allow the achievement of positive results in the conservation of soil fertility. Overall, when selecting an approach, one should necessarily consider the geographical and anthropogenic factors that contribute to soil erosion in a particular area or region. Only when the causes of erosion are eliminated, it becomes possible to attain a sustainable result, ensure the protection of the nutrient-rich layers of soil, and reduce the hazardous impacts on human health.

Kok, J., Parteli, E., Michaels, T., & Karam, D. (2012). The physics of wind-blown sand and dust . Web.

Toy, T. J., Foster, G. R., & Renard, K. G. (2013). Soil erosion: Processes, prediction, measurement, and control . New York: John Wiley and Sons.

Wall, D. H., & Bardgett, R. D. (2013). Soil ecology and ecosystem services . Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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Essay on Soil: Meaning, Composition and Layers

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After reading this article you will learn about Soil:- 1. Introduction to Soil 2. Meaning of Soil 3. Composition 4. Soil Layers 5. Basic Properties 6. Testing of Properties.

Essay on the Testing of Soil Properties

Essay # 1. Introduction to Soil:

Soil is the surface layer of earth on which the human civilization depends for its existence. Actually soil represents the loose upper crust of the earth surface distinctly different from the underlying bed rock.

Its depth, colour, and composition vary from place to place, but all soils are common in consisting of inorganic (mineral) and organic matter, water, and gaseous phases. Every soil is made up of a succession of layers, collectively known as soil-profile, reaching down to the parent material.

The soil-profile consists of two or more horizontal layers, called horizons. The soil horizon may vary in thickness, mineral composition, and structure; they are indicated by the letters A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, etc. A1 horizon is the uppermost or surface layer of the soil and its fertility level is very important from viewpoint of an agriculturist.

Soil fertility depends not only on the presence of inorganic and organic substances, but also on the presence of various species of microorganisms which influence the qualitative composition of the soil.

The existence of soil, the store-house of Nature, furnishing substances for all plants, animals, men, and other organisms, dates back to uncountable periods, even long before the man appeared on the scene. Vast number of plants, animals and finally the man populated the earth and the soil supported them all entirely without human assistance.

That, soil is vastly complex material on the face of earth is the fundamental truth to be understood in its study. Being a common commodity, it means a different thing to a different man in different pursuit. A geologist would preferably consider it to be the outer loose crust of the earth surface; quite distinct from the bed rock lying beneath.

To a farmer, it is a medium to grow his crops in and from which the plants obtain their mechanical support and many of their nutrients. Chemically, the soil is endowed with a magnitude of organic and inorganic substances not found in the underlying strata; indeed it functions as nature’s chemical laboratory in which various dissolutions and synthetic processes go on continuously in a hidden manner.

A lay man, however, is always of the opinion that soil is dust, essentially a dead material, sustaining nothing like life within it. With regard to origin and evolution of life, it can be considered that soil is the depository of all lives within which are carried out most of the transformations that enable life to continue.

Ecologically, soil is the most dynamic component (lithosphere) of the global environment encompassing distinct communities of organisms in its realm.

For a building engineer, the soil is a substratum on which structures can be built. But nothing could be farther from the truth, a microbiologist would say. For him, soil appears to be a dynamic body on the surface of the earth, pulsating with life due to presence of myriads of microorganisms.

Essay # 2. Meaning of Soil:

The word ‘soil’ is derived from the latin word ‘solum’ , which means floor or ground.

Soil is a natural formation resulting from the transformation of surface rock by combination of climate, plant and animal life with ageing.

Soil is formed through following steps:

(a) The formation of regolith by the breakdown of the bed rocks process is called weathering or disintegration.

(b) The addition of organic matter resulting from the decomposition of plant and animal residue and reorganization of these components by soil material of varying depths.

‘Petrology’ is the science of rocks which forms soil. ‘Pedology’ is study of soil which includes origin of soil, its classification and its description. ‘Edaphology’ is the study of various properties of soil in relation to growth, nutrition and yield of crops.

Soil can also be defined as natural body which is formed at the boundary between lithosphere and biosphere by inter-chains of all factors involved in Soil formation considering both living and dead.

So soil contains not only minerals but organic (humus) and organo-mineral (complex or chilate) compounds. The soil contains 13 elements in general out of 16 required by plants for growth. The soil becomes polluted when the quantity of 13 elements decreases or increases irregularly due to industrial effluents.

Several hazardous chemicals and the mountains of wastes are ultimately dumped on the lands. Dumping of industrial and municipal wastes causes toxic substances to be leached and seep into the soil and affects the ground water course.

Modern agricultural practices introduce numerous pesticides, fungicides, bacteriocides, insecticides, biocides, fertilizers and manures, resulting in severe biological and chemical contamination of land. Apart from all these, direct pollution of soil by deadly pathogenic organism is also of major concern. The properties of soil change with pollution and sometimes soil losses its fertility permanently.

Essay # 3. Composition of Soil:

The chemical composition of soil is much diversified and depends upon chemical composition of rock but in general the following elements are present in it.

In many soils of arid areas the following water soluble salts have also been examined:

Except CaCO 3 , MgCO 3 and CaSO 4 all other salts dissolve completely in water.

Essay # 4. Soil Layers of Earth:

Soil is made up of rock which has been transformed into other layers due to vegetation and various micro and macro-organisms.

Several factors contribute to the formation of soil from the parent material. This includes the mechanical weathering of rocks due to temperature changes and abrasion, wind, moving water, glaciers, chemical weathering activities, and lichens. Climate and time are also important in the development of soil.

In extremely dry or cold climate soils develop very slowly, while in humid and warm climates soils develop more rapidly. Under ideal climatic conditions, soft parent material may develop into 1 cm of soil within 15 years. Under poor climatic conditions, a hard parent material may require hundreds of years to develop into soil.

Mature soils are arranged in a series of zones called ‘soil horizons’ . Each horizon has a distinct texture and composition that varies with different types of soils. A cross-sectional view of the horizons in soil is called ‘soil profile’ .

The top layer or the surface litter layer, called the ‘O-horizon’ . It consists mostly of freshly-fallen and partially-decomposed leaves, twigs, animal waste, fungi and other organic materials. Normally, it is brown or black. The uppermost layer of the soil is called the ‘A-horizon’. It consists of partially-decomposed organic matter (humus) and some inorganic mineral particles. It is usually darker and looser than the deeper layers.

The roots of most plants are found in these two upper layers. As long as these layers are anchored by vegetation, the soil stores water and releases it in a trickle throughout the year instead of in a force like a flood. These two top layers also contain a large amount of bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and other small insects, which help to recycle soil nutrients and contribute to soil fertility.

The ‘B-horizon’ , often called the subsoil, contains less organic material and fewer organisms than the A horizon. The area below the subsoil is called the ‘C- horizon’ and consists of weathered parent material. This parent material does not contain any organic materials. The chemical composition of the C-horizon helps to determine the pH of the soil and also influences the soil’s rate of water absorption and retention.

Soil with approximately equal mixture of clay sand, slit and humus are called loams.

Essay # 5. Basic Properties of Soils:

I. acidity and alkalinity of s oils:.

The pH of a good soil should be about 7 but due to industrial effluents the pH increases or decreases causing pollution in soil.

Soils are characterized by the following pH values:

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Soil Pollution Essay | Essay on Soil Pollution for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Soil Pollution Essay: Soil is an essential component of our nature. There are many reasons as to why and how soil gets polluted. And this soil pollution has become one of the major crises for the ecosystem and humankind because it causes an imbalance in nature. Soil pollution both directly and indirectly concerns and affects us. Therefore we must understand the causes and effects of soil pollution to reduce it.

To help students write an essay on ‘Soil Pollution,’ we will provide them with long and short essay samples. Along with this, we will also give ten pointers about the topic that will work as guidance for framing the essay.

You can read more Essay Writing about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Soil Pollution for Students and Kids in English

We are providing a long essay of 400-500 words and a short essay of 100-200 words on the topic of Soil Pollution.

Long Essay on Soil Pollution 500 words in English

Soil Pollution essay will be helpful as a reference for students of class 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Soil is the uppermost dry layer of the Earth made up of organic and inorganic materials. The importance of soil is to sustain terrestrial life on this planet, and it is also the component where the sources of life like water and sunlight air come together. Soil pollution can be declared to be the presence of toxic chemicals that pollute the soil, to high concentrations, to risk the ecosystem and human health. Several factors cause soil pollution and many adverse effects that are resulted in it.

There are two types of soil pollution, one nature’s doing or other human-made (anthropogenic soil pollution). The causes of soil pollution include: Chemicals and heavy metal solvents are some toxic elements that cause soil pollution.

When saline water gets mixed with the soil, sometimes it destroys the good qualities of the land during Tsunami and other natural calamities. Acid rain is one of the primary causes of soil pollution and one of the biggest concerns in environmental issues. Excess use of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, etc. in agriculture has resulted in a lot of soil pollution.

With time and because of corrosion, accidents like seepage through a landfill, rupture of underground storage tanks, or mixing of contaminated water into the soil can result in polluting the soil. Industrial wastes, nuclear wastes (radioactive wastes), etc. are also some primary reasons for soil pollution.

Due to deforestation, soil erosion takes place, which turns the area into a wasteland. Industrial accidents like the oil spill, acid or chemical spills, etc. are also hazardous and can cause soil pollution. Effects of soil pollution are the ones that negatively impact our environment and change the excellent natural qualities of the soil and cause harm to the life cycle of every living being on the planet.

Some effects of soil pollution to name are: The toxicities of the soil can reduce the productivity quality of it, and this affects the healthy growth of crops and plants. If plants are not grown in the amount or condition they should, it also affects the food cycle for humans and other animals.

If the productivity of the soil decreases due to soil pollution, then the economy is also affected by it. Soil pollution can also cause water pollution by contaminating the drinkable water. Hence, soil pollution also concerns human health. If soil erosion increases, then accidents like landslides and floods can happen. The soil is responsible for the health and development of humankind; hence it is our responsibility to keep it safe and pure and avoid conditions that can cause soil pollution.

Short Essay on Soil Pollution 150 words in English

Soil Pollution essay will be beneficial for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. It will help them understand the structure of writing a short essay on ‘Soil Pollution.’

Soil is a vital element of this planet, and it is directly connected to our survival. The pollution of this precious element has now turned into a global problem and not the only country’s concern. Soil pollution can be defined as the increase of persistent toxic elements in the soil like the presence of chemicals, salts, disease-causing agents, radioactive wastes, or anything that changes the soil’s quality and causes an adverse effect in the growth of the plant and on human health.

Soil pollution can be reduced by proper regulated waste dumping and by avoiding littering, reduced use and throwing of toxic material, recycling of waste materials, decreasing the use of toxic fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and instead opting for organic products, stop deforestation by growing more plants (reforestation). It is our role as students to understand the importance of preserving the purity in soil and saving it from contamination by educating others on the matter through the spreading of awareness. we will soonly update Soil Pollution essay in Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi and Telugu.

10 Lines on Soil Pollution Essay in English

Soil is the outermost layer of the Earth’s surface, which is the foundation of essential environmental functions.
Drinkable underground water is also possible because the soil layer acts as a filter and a source of essential nutrients to that water.
Soil also plays a significant role in regulating the Earth’s temperature to make it livable.
A soil pollutant is an agent that degenerates the quality, composition, mineral quantity of the soil.
There are two ways by which soil can get polluted: Natural and Anthropogenic.
Soil contamination or soil pollution should concern us because when the toxic elements of the soil enter the human body because of food-chain, it can cause harm to the inner body-system.
Corrupt agricultural practices ruin the excellent qualities of the soil in that particular area.
Contaminants that cause soil pollution are metals, inorganic ions, and salts, including sulfates, phosphates, nitrates, carbonates, etc. Organic compounds like lipid, fatty acids, alcohols, proteins, hydrocarbons, etc.
Anthropogenic or man-caused soil pollution can be controlled with enough effort by making changes in our industrial processes and some daily activities.
Soil pollution is an environmental issue that concerns every aspect of life.

FAQ’s on Soil Pollution Essay

Question 1. How does soil pollution cause harm to human health?

Answer: Soils are essential and connected to human health in many ways, such as being the base for growing plants. The land is also a significant source of nutrients, and they act as a natural filter to remove contamination from the drinkable water. Similarly, soil pollution also can leave an adverse effect on human health as contaminated soil contains heavy metals, toxic chemicals, pathogens, etc. that negatively impact human health by entering the body through food directly or indirectly. Soil pollution can cause neuromuscular blockade, nausea, depression, headaches, eye irritation, fatigue, and skin rash.

Question 2. What are the significant causes of soil pollution?

Answer: With the ever-evolving and developing science, industrialization also advances. However, the blessings of manufacturing come with the boon of pollution like industrial or by-product wastes.

Question 3. How does soil pollution affect us other than causing adverse effects on health?

Answer: Other than our health, soil pollution causes harm to the nutrients in the soil by decreasing its fertility. This results in the damage of crop production and eventually affects our economy.

Question 4. How can the necessary household activities cause soil pollution?

Answer: Littering is one of the most fundamental reasons for soil to get polluted. Other than this, excessive urbanization and cutting of trees cause soil erosion. The sewage channel or underground storage, if not done right then it can cause soil pollution. Similarly, if detergent used soap water is dumped on a particular soil, it can harm the soil quality.

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Introduction & Top Questions

Soil horizons

Pedons and polypedons.

Grain size and porosity
Water runoff
Mineral content
Organic content
Biological phenomena
Parent material
U.S. Soil Taxonomy
FAO soil groups
Erosive processes
Rates of soil erosion
Resistance to erosion
Carbon and nitrogen cycles
Soils and global warming
Xenobiotic chemicals
Pathways of detoxification

What is soil?

What are the grain sizes in soil, what are the layers of soil.

Tilled farmland. (farming, dirt, soil conservation)

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Nature - Scitable - What are Soils?
Agriculture Victoria - What is soil?
Royal Horticultural Society - Soil types
Biology LibreTexts - Soil
Soil Science Society of America - Soil Basics
Energy.gov - Soil
soil - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
soil - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
Table Of Contents

Soil is the biologically active and porous medium that has developed in the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust. It serves as the reservoir of water and nutrients and a medium for the filtration and breakdown of injurious wastes. It also helps in the cycling of carbon and other elements through the global ecosystem.

The grain size of soil particles are categorized into three groups: clay, silt, and sand. Clay measures less than 0.002 mm (0.0008 inch) in diameter, silt is between 0.002 mm (0.0008 inch) and 0.05 mm (0.002 inch), and sand is between 0.05 mm (0.002 inch) and 2 mm (0.08 inch).

What are the five factors of soil formation?

The evolution of soils and their properties is called soil formation, and according to pedologists, five fundamental soil formation processes influence soil properties. These five “state factors” are parent material, topography, climate, organisms, and time.

Soils have a unique structural characteristic that distinguishes them from mere earth materials: a vertical sequence of layers produced by the combined actions of percolating waters and living organisms. These layers are called horizons and are designated A horizon, B horizon, C horizon, E horizon, O horizon, and R horizon.

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soil , the biologically active, porous medium that has developed in the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust. Soil is one of the principal substrata of life on Earth, serving as a reservoir of water and nutrients, as a medium for the filtration and breakdown of injurious wastes, and as a participant in the cycling of carbon and other elements through the global ecosystem . It has evolved through weathering processes driven by biological, climatic, geologic, and topographic influences.

Since the rise of agriculture and forestry in the 8th millennium bce , there has also arisen by necessity a practical awareness of soils and their management. In the 18th and 19th centuries the Industrial Revolution brought increasing pressure on soil to produce raw materials demanded by commerce, while the development of quantitative science offered new opportunities for improved soil management. The study of soil as a separate scientific discipline began about the same time with systematic investigations of substances that enhance plant growth. This initial inquiry has expanded to an understanding of soils as complex, dynamic , biogeochemical systems that are vital to the life cycles of terrestrial vegetation and soil-inhabiting organisms—and by extension to the human race as well.

This article covers the structure, composition , and classification of soils and how these factors affect soil’s role in the global ecosystem. In addition, the two most important phenomena that degrade soils, erosion and pollution, are discussed. For a cartographic guide to the distribution of the world’s major soils, featuring links to short descriptive entries on each soil type, see the interactive world map .

The soil profile

Soils differ widely in their properties because of geologic and climatic variation over distance and time. Even a simple property, such as the soil thickness, can range from a few centimetres to many metres, depending on the intensity and duration of weathering , episodes of soil deposition and erosion , and the patterns of landscape evolution. Nevertheless, in spite of this variability, soils have a unique structural characteristic that distinguishes them from mere earth materials and serves as a basis for their classification: a vertical sequence of layers produced by the combined actions of percolating waters and living organisms.

These layers are called horizons , and the full vertical sequence of horizons constitutes the soil profile (see the figure ). Soil horizons are defined by features that reflect soil-forming processes. For instance, the uppermost soil layer (not including surface litter) is termed the A horizon . This is a weathered layer that contains an accumulation of humus (decomposed, dark-coloured, carbon-rich matter) and microbial biomass that is mixed with small-grained minerals to form aggregate structures.

Below A lies the B horizon . In mature soils this layer is characterized by an accumulation of clay (small particles less than 0.002 mm [0.00008 inch] in diameter) that has either been deposited out of percolating waters or precipitated by chemical processes involving dissolved products of weathering. Clay endows B horizons with an array of diverse structural features (blocks, columns, and prisms) formed from small clay particles that can be linked together in various configurations as the horizon evolves.

Below the A and B horizons is the C horizon , a zone of little or no humus accumulation or soil structure development. The C horizon often is composed of unconsolidated parent material from which the A and B horizons have formed. It lacks the characteristic features of the A and B horizons and may be either relatively unweathered or deeply weathered. At some depth below the A, B, and C horizons lies consolidated rock , which makes up the R horizon.

These simple letter designations are supplemented in two ways (see the table of soil horizon letter designations). First, two additional horizons are defined. Litter and decomposed organic matter (for example, plant and animal remains) that typically lie exposed on the land surface above the A horizon are given the designation O horizon , whereas the layer immediately below an A horizon that has been extensively leached (that is, slowly washed of certain contents by the action of percolating water) is given the separate designation E horizon , or zone of eluviation (from Latin ex , “out,” and lavere , “to wash”). The development of E horizons is favoured by high rainfall and sandy parent material, two factors that help to ensure extensive water percolation. The solid particles lost through leaching are deposited in the B horizon, which then can be regarded as a zone of illuviation (from Latin il , “in,” and lavere ).

Soil horizon letter designations

O	organic horizon containing litter and decomposed organic matter
A	mineral horizon darkened by humus accumulation

E	mineral horizon lighter in colour than an A or O horizon and depleted in clay minerals
AB or EB	transitional horizon more like A or E than B
BA or BE	transitional horizon more like B than A or E
B	accumulated clay and humus below the A or E horizon
BC or CB	transitional horizon from B to C
C	unconsolidated earth material below the A or B horizon
R	consolidated rock

a	highly decomposed organic matter
b	buried horizon
c	concretions or hard nodules (iron, aluminum, manganese, or titanium)
e	organic matter of intermediate decomposition
f	frozen soil
g	gray colour with strong mottling and poor drainage
h	accumulation of organic matter
i	slightly decomposed organic matter
k	accumulation of carbonate
m	cementation or induration
n	accumulation of sodium
o	accumulation of oxides of iron and aluminum
p	plowing or other anthropogenic disturbance
q	accumulation of silica
r	weathered or soft bedrock
s	accumulation of metal oxides and organic matter
t	accumulation of clay
v	plinthite (hard iron-enriched subsoil material)
w	development of colour or structure
x	fragipan character (high-density, brittle)
y	accumulation of gypsum
z	accumulation of salts

The combined A, E, B horizon sequence is called the solum (Latin: “floor”). The solum is the true seat of soil-forming processes and is the principal habitat for soil organisms. (Transitional layers, having intermediate properties, are designated with the two letters of the adjacent horizons.)

The second enhancement to soil horizon nomenclature (also shown in the table) is the use of lowercase suffixes to designate special features that are important to soil development. The most common of these suffixes are applied to B horizons: g to denote mottling caused by waterlogging, h to denote the illuvial accumulation of humus, k to denote carbonate mineral precipitates, o to denote residual metal oxides, s to denote the illuvial accumulation of metal oxides and humus, and t to denote the accumulation of clay.

Soils are natural elements of weathered landscapes whose properties may vary spatially. For scientific study, however, it is useful to think of soils as unions of modules known as pedons. A pedon is the smallest element of landscape that can be called soil. Its depth limit is the somewhat arbitrary boundary between soil and “not soil” (e.g., bedrock). Its lateral dimensions must be large enough to permit a study of any horizons present—in general, an area from 1 to 10 square metres (10 to 100 square feet), taking into account that a horizon may be variable in thickness or even discontinuous. Wherever horizons are cyclic and recur at intervals of 2 to 7 metres (7 to 23 feet), the pedon includes one-half the cycle. Thus, each pedon includes the range of horizon variability that occurs within small areas. Wherever the cycle is less than 2 metres, or wherever all horizons are continuous and of uniform thickness, the pedon has an area of 1 square metre.

Soils are encountered on the landscape as groups of similar pedons, called polypedons, that contain sufficient area to qualify as a taxonomic unit. Polypedons are bounded from below by “not soil” and laterally by pedons of dissimilar characteristics.

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Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Soil Erosion’ for class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Soil Erosion’ for school and college students.

Essay on Soil Erosion

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Essay on the Conservation of Soil Erosion

Essay # 1. Meaning of Soil Erosion:

All land use activities, particularly those which are poorly managed, involve destruction or disturbance, to a greater or lesser extent, of natural and semi-natural ecosystems. Almost invariably, however, it is those ecosystems, in equilibrium with their environment, which offer most effective protection to the soil that supports them.

A major consequence of ecosystem destruction and disturbance is that of soil degradation. This has been defined as the decline in soil quality caused through its misuse by human activity. More specifically it refers to the decline in soil productivity through adverse changes in nutrient status, organic matter structural stability and concentrations of electrolytes and toxic chemicals.

Soil degradation incorporates a number of environmental problems, some of which are interrelated, including erosion compaction, water excess and deficit, acidification, salinization and sodification and toxic accumulation of agricultural chemicals and urban/industrial pollutants.

In many instances, these have led to a serious decline in soil quality and productivity and it is only in recent decades that the finite nature of soil as a resource has become widely recognised. Soil degradation is not a new phenomenon. Archeological evidence suggests that it has been on-going since the beginning of settled agriculture several thousand years ago.

The decline of many ancient civilizations, including the Mesopotamians of the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in Iraq, the Harappans of the Indus valley in Pakistan and the Mayans of Central America, was due in part to soil degradation.

More recently an event of major significance was the dustbowl which occurred in the Great Plains of the American Midwest during the 1930s.

At this time, intensive agricultural practices, employed in the eastern states, were transferred to the drier Midwest where the soils are lighter textured and more susceptible to erosion. A number of years of drought, combined with crop failure and destruction of the protective organic-rich topsoil, resulted in severe wind erosion.

According to the Global Assessment of Soil Degradation project, about 15 per cent of the global land area between 72°N and 57°S is degraded. Of this, an area slightly less than that of India (about 300 million hectares) is strongly degraded, largely as a result of deforestation (113 million hectares), inappropriate management of cropped land (83 million hectares) and overgrazing (75 million hectares).

In recent decades, the global rate of soil degradation has increased dramatically and is likely to increase further as we approach the twenty-first century; in 1983 it was estimated at 5-7 million ha a -1 and is set to rise beyond 10 million ha a -1 by the year 2000.

The effects of soil degradation are not restricted to the soil alone, but have a number of off-site implications. Soil erosion, for example, is often associated with increased incidence of flooding, siltation of rivers lakes and reservoirs and deposition of material in low-lying areas.

These problems may be compounded in areas where infiltration capacity is reduced due to compaction, hard setting or induration of soils. Salinisation and sodification of soils are often associated with poor quality irrigation water while soil acidification is commonly linked with acidification and aluminium contamination of surface waters.

Leaching of fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural soils may also lead to contamination of surface and shallow ground waters.

In addition, contamination of soils by urban and industrial pollutants, such as heavy metals and radionuclides, may lead to toxic accumulation in arable produce and in herbage for grazing animals, thus having important implications for human health.

The extent of soil degradation is influenced by a number of factors, many of which are interrelated, namely soil characteristics, relief, climate, land use and socio-economic and political controls (Fig. 23.1).

In many studies of soil degradation and its wider environmental implications, the socio-economic and political controls are often overlooked, or at least not examined in any detail, perhaps because of the difficulties associated with the collection of reliable and comparable data.

Increasingly, however, these controls on land use systems are being viewed as central to the issue of soil degradation, particularly in the developing world.

Management of soil degradation, whether at a global, regional or local scale, is clearly a complex issue and represents one of our most challenging environmental problems.

Emphasis should be placed on sustainable, rather than exploitative land use practices; this theme was highlighted by the World Soil Charter which called for a commitment by governments, agencies and land-users to ‘manage the land for long term advantage rather than short term expediency’ .

The problem requires a holistic, multidisciplinary approach involving the collaborative and coordinated efforts of ecologists, agronomists, soil scientists, hydrologists, engineers, sociologists and economists. Moreover, the involvement of government and non-government organisations, aid agencies and the farmers themselves is essential to the success of research and development in this area.

Such involvement should facilitate the implementation of education, training and incentive programmes. Imposition from above of high-technology, high-cost solutions by technical experts from developed countries is certainly not the answer in the developing world.

Inevitably, such solutions are not economically viable and low-technology, low-cost options—such as low external input agriculture, agroforestry and social forestry—are often the only answer.

Hence, the approach to soil conservation has shifted in recent years from a rather techno centric standpoint to a more eco-centric position. Central to this approach are the concepts of land husbandry and sustainable development, which place emphasis on the land-users themselves rather than on the technical experts and advisors.

This chapter aims to examine a selection of the most pressing soil degradation problems and, in each case, the causal factors, on and off site effects and management strategies will be considered.

Essay # 2. Occurrence of Soil Erosion:

Soil erosion occurs when the rate of removal of soil by water and/or wind exceeds the rate of soil formation. Generally, rates of soil formation are very low, with profiles developing at a rate of about 1 cm every 100-400 years; assuming an average bulk density of 1.33g cm -3 , this equates to about 0.3 – 1.3 t ha -1 a -1 .

It is important to differentiate between natural or background erosion and erosion which has been accelerated largely as a result of human activity.

Background erosion rates are often similar to rates of soil formation at < 1.0 t ha -1 a -1 , although in mountainous areas they may be considerably higher. In contrast, rates of accelerated erosion commonly exceed 10 t ha -1 a -1 and sometimes exceed 100t ha -1 a -1

Some of the highest soil erosion rates have been observed in the Loess Plateau area of China and in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, where values in excess of 200 t ha -1 a -1 have been recorded. Similarly, in India, gully erosion results in a loss of about 8,000 ha of land per year.

The extent of soil erosion is governed by a number of factors. Those of particular importance include erosivity of the eroding agent, erodibility of the soil, slope steepness and length, land use practices and conservation strategies.

These factors are summarised in the Universal Soil Loss Equation which has been used widely in the modelling and prediction of soil erosion e.g., Colby-Saliba:

E = R.K.L.S.C.P.

where, E = mean annual soil loss, R = rainfall erosivity index, K = soil erodibility index, L = slope length, S = slope steepness, C = cropping factor which represents the ratio of soil loss under a given crop to that from bare soil, and P = conservation practice factor which represents the ratio of soil loss where contouring and strip-cropping are practiced to that where they unused.

Although widely used, this model has been the subject of extensive criticism. For example, it assumes that a vegetation cover is always protective which is not necessarily the case; erosion on land with a good cover of crops planted in rows can be greater than on land which is sparsely vegetated. It is also water erosion based and cannot be used in areas affected extensively by wind erosion.

More specifically, it focuses on rill and inter-rill erosion and is not easily applied to areas where gully and stream bank erosion are widespread. Its universal nature has also been questioned particularly in terms of its application to tropical soils.

Furthermore, it should be emphasised that this model does not consider the wide range of socio-economic and political factors which play a crucial role in terms of their influence on the degree of soil erosion which will be examined later. Alternative models include SLEMSA (Soil Loss Estimator for Southern Africa) and CREAMS (Chemicals Run-off and Erosion Arising From Agricultural Management Systems).

Land use is perhaps the most significant factor influencing soil erosion, for two main reasons. First, many land use practices leave the soil devoid of a protective vegetation cover, or with only a partial cover, for significant periods of time and second, they involve mechanical disturbance of the soil.

Specific aspects of land use often associated with accelerated soil erosion include expansion and intensification of arable cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, certain forestry practices, site clearance in preparation for urban and industrial construction and a number of recreational activities such as walking and skiing.

Arable cultivation has expanded and intensified dramatically in recent decades. Relatively steep slopes, formerly covered by grass or tress, have been converted to arable cropping, while an increased use of heavy agricultural machinery has resulted in compaction of the soil. This, in turn, has led to reduced infiltration capacity, particularly along wheel tracks, thus resulting in increased surface run-off and erosion.

Similarly, increased reliance on tillage activities, throughout the cropping cycle, has rendered soils more susceptible to erosion. This problem has been compounded by the decline in levels of soil organic matter and hence structural stability, largely in response to increased use of inorganic fertilizers.

In addition, the tendency to increase field sizes on arable land has meant that there are fewer physical breaks and barriers in the landscape, such as tree lines, hedgerows and walls, to restrict erosion. Susceptibility to erosion is further increased if land is cultivated with the slope rather than parallel to the contours.

Overgrazing is particularly common in drought-affected parts of the developing world, such as the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa and the rangelands and communal lands of eastern and southern Africa.

In a study of the impact of grazing on soils of the Savanna region of Nigeria, for example, Aweto and Adejumbobi (1991) attribute enhanced surface run-off and erosion to compaction of the soil and destruction of the protective vegetation cover by grazing animals and to the adoption of inappropriate burning strategies.

Deforestation, largely for logging and wood fuel purposes, is also common in many parts of the developing world.

Trees are well-known for their ability to protect soils from erosion, particularly on steeply sloping terrain. Their root systems and the organic material which they supply help to stabilise the soil, while water uptake and canopy interception serve to reduce the frequency and intensity of surface run-off.

In addition to deforestation, many forestry practices are associated with accelerated soil erosion, including the needle leaf forestry programmes which have become widespread in many areas of upland Britain. Here, erosion is most serious during the pre-planting stages of land preparation and drainage and after harvesting.

In relation to urban and industrial land use, construction and associated disturbance of land may lead to increased soil erosion. Even certain recreational activities have been implicated in this problem, including walking and skiing.

A number of socio-economic and political factors have been associated with accelerated soil erosion, particularly in the developing world. These include population pressure, skewed land resource distribution; poverty and marginalization, increasing demand for wood fuel, inappropriate land tenure and farm policies, small size of land-holdings and poor infrastructure.

In many developing countries, population growth is rapid and the demand for agricultural land and wood fuel is ever increasing (Table 23.4).

Furthermore, agricultural systems are characterised by a skewed land resource distribution where a minority of affluent and powerful landowners control a majority of the land area.

The poorest farmers are thus forced onto marginal land, which is particularly susceptible to erosion, and often end up in a vicious spiral of debt. Rural-urban migration, abandonment of land and increased soil erosion are often responsible to this poverty trap situation (Fig. 23.2).

In many parts of the developing world, large areas of land are utilised for mono-cultivation of cash crops, which are not necessarily best-suited to soil conditions, rather than for indigenous mixed food cropping. Such commercial pressure on agricultural systems, as well as contributing to the problem of marginalization discussed above, has a detrimental effect on soil quality and is unlikely to be sustainable in the long term.

There is also little political support in terms of education, training and incentive schemes to encourage farmers to adopt more sustainable land use practices. The establishment of appropriate and comprehensive soil conservation and land husbandry programmes is further hindered by the small size of land-holdings and the large number of farmers involved (Table 23.5).

The on and off-site effects of soil erosion are considerable. At the global scale, it is estimated that unless soil conservation measures are introduced on all cultivated land, 544 million ha of potentially productive rain-fed crop land will be lost and agricultural production expected to decrease by almost 20 per cent, by the year 2000-2005.

Undoubtedly, these effects will be felt most severely in those developing countries which are least able to cope with the problem. It should be noted that the deterioration in soil productivity is disproportionate to the amount of soil eroded, as it is the nutrient rich and structure- supporting constituents in the topsoil which are lost most readily.

Essay # 3. Causes of Soil Erosion:

These are as follows:

(i) Overcropping:

Overcropping causes the soil to deteriorate when too many crops are grown on the same land without the farmer replacing lost mineral and organic material. In natural conditions, as plants grow, they extract the valuable mineral and organic plant nutrients from the soil; when they die, they decay and release their nutrients, returning them to the soil which is thus enriched for other plants that come after them.

But when men cultivate crops, they harvest them and carry the crops elsewhere to be sold or consumed. There is no replacement at all. If the farmer year after year, grows cotton which is very exhaustive of nitrates, and does not add any manure or fertilizers, the soil is bound to become poorer until the farm has to be abandoned.

Overcropping may occur in several ways:

(a) Monoculture:

This is the growing of a single type of crop, year after year, such as cotton or wheat. The crop is constantly using up particular types of minerals from the soil which it needs. As a result some minerals in the soil may be completely exhausted and fertility may decline if fallow periods, fertilizers or crop rotations are not used to balance soil properties.

(b) Multicropping:

This is the constant use of the land for several crops every year. If there is not a constant supply of fertilizer this quickly exhausts the soil and yields rapidly decline.

This type of cultivation of forest clearings can be very harmful. The destruction of the trees by fire means that the soil is no longer protected from the full force of heavy tropical rain, nor is it consolidated and held together by plant roots. It is therefore quickly washed away. After the ladangs are abandoned the forest is allowed to grow again, and, if the plot is not cleared again for a long time (about 20 years), the rest or fallow period is long enough for the soil to regain its humus and mineral content.

If, however, as usually happens, the plots are re-cleared after only a few years or one plot is occupied for too many years, the soil cannot recuperate and it becomes permanently infertile. It may be eroded into deep gullies or invaded by lalang grass and is thus made useless either for farming or for forest.

(ii) Overgrazing:

Animal grazing is dependent upon either natural or man-sown grasses and herbs, which are eaten by the cattle, sheep, goats or horses. The number of animals that can be grazed depends on the carrying capacity of the pasturage, that is the number of animals which can graze on the pasture without completely killing the grasses or other plants.

If the number of animals is within the carrying capacity, the grass is able to grow again, but if there are too many animals it may not have sufficient time to recover and may be killed. If this happens the vegetative cover becomes too thin to protect the soil and rain and wind are able to erode the soil.

This in turn reduces the amount of grass that can grow in the area. In parts of Mediterranean Europe, West and East Africa and India, overgrazing by cattle, or worse still by sheep or goats which nibble down every bit of grass, has caused acute soil erosion.

(iii) Deforestation:

When men remove the natural forest cover of an area either for agriculture or for timber this usually exposes the area to soil erosion because the soil is no longer protected by the leafy canopy of the forest from heavy rain or strong winds. The bad effects of deforestation are worst when all the trees, even the smallest, are removed and when new seedlings are not planted to replace the felled timber.

(iv) Slope Cultivation:

Soil erosion is always enhanced when the cleared area of land is on a steep slope, because this allows gully erosion to take place. The soil on slopes, too, is easily moved by gravity when it is loosened. The effects of shifting cultivation, overgrazing and deforestation are all worse on steeply sloping land.

Where cultivation takes place on steep slopes erosion is greatly aggravated if plants are arranged slope-wise, i.e. in rows up and down the hill slope. This practice of slope-wise cultivation produces ready-made channels down which rain-water can flow carrying away the topsoil.

(v) Cultivation of Dry Areas:

In semi-arid areas the cultivation of marginal agricultural lands may lead to erosion because the removal of the natural vegetation and the ploughing of the land loosens the soil and this enables the wind to blow it away. In marginal areas such as this, special dry-farming techniques have to be adopted unless a ‘Dust Bowl’ situation is to arise.

Essay # 4. Impact of Soil Erosion:

The rapid erosion of soil by wind and water has been a problem ever since land was first cultivated. The consequences of soil erosion occur both on- and off-site.

On-site effects are particularly important on agricultural land where the redistribution of soil within a field, the loss of soil from a field, the break-down of soil structure and the decline in organic matter and nutrient result in a reduction of cultivable soil depth and a decline in soil fertility. Erosion also reduces available soil moisture, resulting in more drought-prone conditions.

The net effect is a loss of productivity which, at first, restricts what can be grown and results in increased expenditure on fertilizers to maintain yields, but later threatens food production and leads, ultimately, to land abandonment. It also leads to a decline in the value of the land as it changed from productive farmland to wasteland.

Offsite problems result from sedimentation down stream or downwind which reduces the capacity of rivers and drainage ditches, enhances the risk of flooding, blocks irrigation canals and shortens the design life of reservoirs. Many hydroelectricity and irrigation projects have been ruined as a consequence of erosion.

Sediment is also a pollutant in its own right and, through the chemicals adsorbed to it, can increase the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies and result in eutrophication.

Essay # 5. Process of Soil Erosion:

Soil erosion is a two-phase process, consisting of the detachment of individual particles from the soil mass and their transport by erosive agents such as running water and wind. When sufficient energy is no longer available to transport the particles, a third phase—deposition—occurs.

Rain splash is the most important detaching agent. The soil is also broken up by weathering processes, both mechanical, by alternate wetting and drying, freezing and thawing and frost action and biochemical. Soil is disturbed by tillage operations and by the trampling of people and livestock. Running water and wind are further contributors to the detachment of soil particles.

All these processes loosen the soil so that it is easily removed by the agents of transport. The severity of erosion depends upon the quality of material supplied by detachment and the capacity of the eroding agents to transport it.

There are a number of factors that control erosion:

1. Erosivity of the eroding agent;

2. Erodibility of the soil;

3. Slope of the land; and

4. Nature of the plant cover.

In the field, soil erosion status may be surveyed and data are recorded as per proforma (Table 23.6) for further interpretation.

Essay # 6. Measurement of Soil Erosion:

Those designed to determine soil loss from relatively small sample areas or erosion plots often as part of an experiment and those designed to assess erosions over a larger area such as a drainage basin.

In erosion plot, a standard size of 22 m long and 1.8 m wide are used. The plot edges are made of sheet metal, wood or any material which is stable, does not leak and is not liable to rust. At the downslope end is positioned a collecting trough or gutter, covered with a lid to prevent the direct entry of rainfall, from which sediment and runoff are channelled into collecting tanks.

For large plots or where run-off volumes are very high, the overflow from a first collecting tank is passed through a divisor which splits the flow into equal parts and passes one part, as a sample, into a second collecting tank. A flocculating agent is added to the mixture of water and sediment collected in each tank.

The soil settles to the bottom of the tank and the clear water is then drawn-off and measured. The volume of soil remaining in the tank is determined and a sample of known volume is taken for drying and weighing. The sample weight multiplied by the total volume gives the total weight of soil in the tank.

The total soil loss from the plot is the weight of the soil in the first tank plus, assuming one-fifth of the overflow from the first tank passes through the divisor into the second tank, five times the weight of soil in the second tank.

Where automatic sediment sampling occurs, the sediment concentration is determined for each sample. Since the time that each sample was taken during the storm is known, the data can be integrated over time to give a sediment graph.

Investigation of sediment production in a catchment or drainage basin must be carried through an elaborate layout of erosion plot investigation in the stream slopes of various orders.

Essay # 7. Conservation of Soil Erosion:

Soil conservation design most logically follows a sequence of events (Fig. 23.3) beginning with a thorough assessment of erosion risk, followed by designing a sound land use plan based on what the land is best suited for under present or proposed economic and social conditions, land tenure arrangements and production technology and what is compatible with the maintenance of environmental stability.

However, the approach of soil conservation varies from place to place and also based on type of land use. For instance, erosion control in cultivated land is dependent upon good management which implies establishing sufficient crop cover and selecting appropriate tillage practices.

Thus soil conservation relies strongly on agronomic methods combined with sound soil management whilst mechanical measures play only a supporting role. On the whole, the conservation strategies are aimed at establishing and maintaining good ground cover.

The details are given in Table 23.7:

Further, it is recognised that strategies for soil improving traditional systems instead of imposing entirely new techniques from outside and on enhancing land husbandry (Fig. 23.4, Table 23.7).

In addition there are a number of mechanical field practices used to control the soil erosion.

Three methods are normally employed in conjunction with agronomic measures:

1. Contouring i.e., carrying out ploughing, planting and cultivation on the contour can reduce soil loss from sloping land compared with cultivation up and down the slope.

2. Contour bunds i.e., these are earth banks 1.5 – 2m wide thrown across the slope to act as a barrier to run-off, to form a water storage area on their upslope side.

3. Terraces—these are earth embankments constructed across the slope to intercept surface runoff and convey it to a stable outlet at a non-erosive velocity and to shorten slope length.

4. Waterways—to convey run-off at a non-erosive velocity to suitable disposal part viz., diversion ditches, terrace channels, grass waterways etc.

5. Stabilisation structures—this is a specialised structure build up to produce small dams (0.4 to 2 meter height) by locally available materials for gully erosion control.

Essay on the Impact of Human Activities on Environment
Soil Erosion: Types and Causes of Soil Erosion

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Essay on Soil Erosion

Students are often asked to write an essay on Soil Erosion in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Soil Erosion

Introduction.

Soil erosion is a natural process where the earth’s top layer, known as soil, gets worn away by factors like water, wind, or farming activities. It’s a significant environmental concern.

Causes of Soil Erosion

Soil erosion mainly happens due to water and wind. Water erosion occurs when rain washes away the soil. Wind erosion happens when wind blows loose soil away. Human activities like deforestation and over-cultivation also contribute.

Effects of Soil Erosion

Soil erosion leads to loss of fertile land, which affects agriculture. It also results in sedimentation in water bodies, harming aquatic life.

Prevention of Soil Erosion

Planting trees, building terraces, and practicing crop rotation can help prevent soil erosion, ensuring a healthy environment for future generations.

250 Words Essay on Soil Erosion

Soil erosion, a naturally occurring process and an environmental concern, refers to the wearing away of the topsoil layer due to various factors like wind, water, and human activity. This global phenomenon significantly impacts agricultural productivity, environmental health, and biodiversity.

Primarily, soil erosion is caused by water and wind. Water erosion occurs when rainwater washes away the soil, a process accelerated by deforestation and overgrazing. Wind erosion, on the other hand, happens in arid areas where loose soil is easily blown away. Human activities, such as improper agricultural practices and urbanization, exacerbate soil erosion.

Impacts of Soil Erosion

The implications of soil erosion are far-reaching. It reduces soil fertility, leading to decreased agricultural output and threatening food security. Additionally, it contributes to biodiversity loss by destroying habitats. Soil erosion also affects water quality, as eroded soil ends up in water bodies, increasing their sediment load.

Preventing Soil Erosion

Preventing soil erosion involves both natural and human interventions. Planting vegetation, especially trees, helps anchor the soil. Agricultural practices such as contour plowing and terracing can reduce soil loss. In urban areas, proper planning and construction can minimize erosion.

In conclusion, soil erosion is a pressing environmental issue that demands immediate attention. By understanding its causes and impacts, we can implement effective strategies to mitigate its harmful effects, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

500 Words Essay on Soil Erosion

Soil erosion, a naturally occurring process that affects all landforms, has been significantly accelerated by human activities such as deforestation and unsustainable farming practices. In essence, soil erosion is the loosening and displacement of topsoil particles by wind and water, a process that threatens global food security and environmental health.

The Mechanics of Soil Erosion

Soil erosion can be categorized into two types: water and wind erosion. Water erosion, the most common form, occurs when raindrops hit the soil surface, dislodging particles. These particles are then transported by the runoff generated by the rainfall. Wind erosion, on the other hand, transpires when strong winds blow loose, dry, and bare soil surfaces, lifting particles into the air.

Human Activities and Soil Erosion

Human activities have exacerbated soil erosion rates. Deforestation, for instance, removes the vegetation cover that protects the soil from the impact of raindrops and wind. The exposed soil is then easily eroded. Similarly, unsustainable agricultural practices like overgrazing and improper crop rotation can degrade the soil structure, reducing its capacity to absorb water and making it more susceptible to erosion.

The Implications of Soil Erosion

The implications of soil erosion are far-reaching. It diminishes agricultural productivity by depleting the nutrient-rich topsoil needed for crop growth. This in turn threatens food security. Soil erosion also contributes to water pollution as eroded soils carry fertilizers and pesticides into water bodies, causing eutrophication and harm to aquatic life. Additionally, soil erosion can lead to desertification, turning previously fertile lands into unproductive regions.

Preventing and Controlling Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is a pressing environmental issue that requires urgent attention. It threatens not just agricultural productivity and food security, but also water quality and the overall health of ecosystems. Addressing soil erosion necessitates a multisectoral approach that includes sustainable farming practices, responsible land use, and a commitment to conserving our natural resources. By understanding and addressing soil erosion, we can secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

English Paragraph On Soil For Class 5 Students

About soil, a paragraph writing example in English for all class students and children. The following soil paragraphs are very useful for writing and completing worksheets.

Table of Contents

The soil: Paragraph Writing Example For Students

Soil is one of the most significant natural resources we have. It is a vital portion of the ecosystem and plays a main role in plant growth and food creation. Soil is also a valuable source for water storage and filtration.

The soil consists of different types of rock, minerals, organic matter, air, and water. The type of soil you have depends on the type of rock that is found in your area. Soils can be divided into two categories: mineral soils and organic soils.

Mineral soils are made up of inorganic substances such as sand, silt, and clay. These soils are naturally lighter in color than organic soils. Organic soils are made up of organic materials such as rotting plants, rotted animal matter, and other types of stored organic matter. These soils are generally darker in color than mineral soils.

Soil can be found anywhere on earth where rock weathering occurs. The soil begins to develop as soon as the first rock particle breaks into smaller pieces due to atmospheric conditions such as wind and rain. As these particles continue to break down, they start to form new minerals that are different from the original ones.

At this point, organic matter also begins to accumulate, which leads to the formation of layers of soil, or horizons. As the soil continues to form, it resembles a layered cake with ribbons of different colors that represent each horizon present in the soil profile. For example, a layer formed by the accumulation of organic matter would be darker in color, while a layer formed by the accumulation of sand would be lighter.

Soil plays an important role in human life as it is used for farming and growing various crops that serve as a source of food . It is also important to filter wastewater before it reaches our streams, rivers, lakes, etc. Soil also helps regulate the amount of water that gets into the soil through rainfall or irrigation, thus helping us achieve consistently good crop yields.

The fertility dilemma associated with some soils has been solved by deep plowing procedures, which turn under organic matter more effectively than shallow plowing methods. Other ways to increase soil health include using plant species that fix nitrogen in the soil, adding lime if your pH levels are too low, and using cover crops.

Soil is a non-profit resource, and it is critical to take care of it so that it can be used for many years to come. We need to use the best supervision techniques to conserve soil and minimize degradation. By doing this, we can ensure that our soil will remain fertile and be able to produce food for generations to come.

Thank you for reading! I hope this copy has given you a better understanding of what soil is and what it does. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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Essay on Soil Pollution for Students in English
Secondly, students will be able to write a well-composed essay on the topic of Soil Pollution. It is important to get environmental knowledge and write it properly in English medium. Regular practice and learning can help students to compose a good essay on diverse topics. Learn and read to get a better grip on essay writing.
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Soil conservation emerges as an unsung hero, diligently working behind the scenes to preserve the very foundation of life. Like a silent guardian, soil quietly nurtures crops, supports biodiversity, and sustains livelihoods. Yet, its significance often goes unnoticed until threatened by erosion, degradation, or misuse.
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An essay about soil and water conservation aims to shed light on the importance of protecting our soil and water resources. Soil and water are two of the most vital natural resources on Earth. Soil provides essential nutrients for plants to grow, acts as a water filter, and provides habitat for billions of organisms. Water cycles nutrients and ...
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Soil conservation means taking care of the soil to ensure its long-term health and prevent harm. It involves taking steps to prevent soil from erosion and pollution. This ensures that soil, which helps plants grow and provides us with life's essentials, remains rich and reliable for the present and the future. Soil gets harmed in different ways.
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You can read more Essay Writing about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more. Long and Short Essays on Soil Pollution for Students and Kids in English. We are providing a long essay of 400-500 words and a short essay of 100-200 words on the topic of Soil Pollution.
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Soil Pollution Essay

Introduction to Soil Pollution

Causes of Soil Pollution

1. Industrial Activities

2. Agricultural Practices

3. Improper Waste Disposal

4. Mining and Construction Activities

5. Deforestation and Soil Erosion

6. Accidental Spills and Leaks

7. Atmospheric Deposition

Effects of Soil Pollution

1. Environmental Consequences

2. Human Health Implications

3. Economic Impact

Case Studies

1. Love Canal, USA (1978)

2. Bhopal, India (1984)

3. Minamata, Japan (1950s-1960s)

4. Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986)

5. Guanajuato, Mexico (2006)

Pollutants Contaminating the Soil

1. Heavy Metals

2. Pesticides and Herbicides

3. Industrial Chemicals

4. Petroleum Hydrocarbons

5. Radioactive Substances

6. Agricultural Runoff

7. Plastic and Microplastics

Solutions to Soil Pollution

Measures Taken by Governments

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Essay on Soil Pollution for Students and Children

How does Soil Get Polluted?

Causes of Soil Pollution

Effects of Soil Pollution

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Essay on Soil for School and College Students | Essay | Soil Science

Essay on Soil

1. Essay on the Meaning and Importance of Soil:

Importance of Soil:

2. Essay on the Classification of Soil :

a. Alfisol:

b. Andisols:

c. Aridisol:

d. Entisol:

e. Gelisols:

f. Histosol:

g. Inceptisol:

h. Mollisols:

j. Spodosol:

k. Ultisol:

l. Vertisol: