Things You Should Know About Soil Pollution And Remediation Solutions
Soil pollution is something we do not directly experience nor seen with a naked eye. We often think of it as just dirt. What many of us don’t realize is that it can also have serious and extensive environmental consequences which is the reason why we need to do our part and learn more about environmental remediation. Being part of living ecosystems, soil pollution contaminates the environment and has considerable impact on the living organisms within it. Remediation specialist with Hubzone Certification can help us keep the environment clean and free from any pollution.
Causes. There are several possible causes of soil pollution. Some of the most common are enumerated as follows:
1. Pesticides – Direct application of pesticides bring toxic chemical into the environment. A report in EPA revealed that according to figures in year 2001, a total of about 5 million lbs of pesticides have been used.
2. Runoffs – Agricultural and urban runoffs also cause soil pollution bringing toxins such as oil and fertilizers into the environment.
3. Acid rain – Known as one of the major contaminant of soil. When sulfur dioxide combines with moisture, acidic precipitation is created. When it falls, it increases acidity of soil, harming plants, soil bacteria and micro-organisms.
Effects. Soil pollution has immediate and long-term effects which can be any of the following:
1. Disrupts the essential cycles of decomposition and energy recycling.
2. Kills soil bacteria. Soil bacteria are important to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it available to plants and micro-organisms.
3. Leaches vital nutrients from the topsoil making them unavailable for plants. Examples of these vital nutrients are calcium and magnesium.
4. Accumulates in the soil and later in plant tissue. In other words, it creates a domino effect wherein higher concentrations of contaminants go up the food chain leading to extensive negative effects.
Solutions. Soil pollution can be dealt with through the following possible solutions:
1. Do not pour waste water onto the soil. Preventing contaminants from entering the environment is still the best way to protect soils.
2. When using fertilizers or pesticides, avid water sources and wetlands to prevent pollutants from swelling to other areas.
3. Use sewage and softening sludge from water treatment plants to reclaim mine sites with acidic drainage. Yes, waste from one process can resolve another pollution problem.
4. Use additives such as lime or limestone to neutralize the effects of acidic soil conditions
5. Contact a Remediation specialist, specifically one who has a Hubzone Certification, to save soil from long term effects of pollution. A Hubzone Certification assures quality and efficient services.