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| Soil Pollution |
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| Soil is an important resource as it is the basis for the growth of plants which are the producers. Without good soil, there cannot be a good crop of food or a thick vegetation cover. The latter is important for maintaining the climate of a region. |
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| However, in the recent times soil has been subject to pollution from different sources. |
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| Pesticides |
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| The pesticides used in agriculture have chemicals that last long in the environment. In addition to killing the pests, they also effect some beneficial organisms like the earthworm in the soil. Organisms like earthworm are vital to the decomposition of materials and formation of soil. |
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| Acid Rains |
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| The acid rains can change the pH of the soil making it unsuitable for cultivation. |
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| Garbage |
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| The household and other city garbage lies scattered in the soil in the absence of a proper disposal system. Materials like polythene can block the passage of water into the soil and affect its water-holding capacity. |
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| Industrial Wastes |
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| Many industries produce harmful chemicals which are disposed of without being treated. |
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| Radioactive Substances |
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| Improper disposal of nuclear wastes can cause radioactive substances to remain in the soil for a long time. These substances cause mutations. |
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| Night Soil |
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| Human excreta mixed with soil is called night soil. Open latrines in the villages and some parts of cities are the source of this pollution. These contain disease-causing germs which can spread the disease. It is estimated that millions of children worldwide die before they reach the age of five due to lack of sanitary facilities. |
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| Control |
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| The following measures should be adopted to control soil pollution: |
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 Suitable and safe disposal of wastes including nuclear wastes. |
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Non-biodegradable materials like plastic, glass, metals, etc. should be recovered and recycled. |
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Inorganic pesticides should be replaced by organic pesticides. |
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