Soil Pollution: Sources, Effects, and Mitigation Strategies
Sanjay Koushal
KVK, Reasi Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu) 180009, India.
Devesh Arya
CCRPG College Muzaffarnagar, India.
S. Anbarasan *
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India.
Dipankar Haloi
Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, India.
Rashmi M
Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, India.
Tanvi Rahman
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysuru, India.
Vikas Singh
Department of Soil Conservation and Water Management, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, India.
N.V. Gowtham Deekshithulu
Department of Soil and Water Engineering, Horticultural Research Station, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soil pollution is a growing global concern, directly affecting soil health, agriculture, ecosystems, and human health. It results from various anthropogenic and natural activities, leading to the contamination of soil with toxic chemicals, waste, and pathogens. Key sources of soil pollution include industrial activities, agricultural practices, urbanization, and improper waste disposal. Pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, and pathogens have severe effects on the soil ecosystem, reducing its fertility, biodiversity, and productivity. Furthermore, soil pollution poses significant health risks, such as food contamination and water pollution, and contributes to environmental degradation. This review discusses the sources of soil pollution, the types of pollutants, their impacts on soil and human health, and potential mitigation strategies, including preventive measures, bioremediation techniques, and soil restoration practices. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for integrated efforts at local, national, and global levels to combat soil pollution for sustainable development.
Keywords: Soil pollution, pollutants, bioremediation, mitigation, environmental degradation