LAND POLLUTION

BY ;
YEAR 3 CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING STUDENTS , GROUP 3
 CONT…

Pollution can be termed as an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological

characteristics of air, water, soil or food that can adversely affect the health, survival or activity of
humans or other living organisms.
There are several forms of pollution and these mainly include Land/soil, water and Air pollution.
The alteration of the natural state of these resources is attributed to the poor management of waste
materials that act as the pollutants.
A pollutant is a chemical or biological substance which harms water, air or land quality.
It can also be referred to as a substance or agent introduced into the environment that causes harm
or disrupts the normal functioning of the ecosystems, air ,water, soil or any other natural system.
WHAT IS LAND POLLUTION?
• According to Maximillan and oxford dictionary, land refers to the universal solid coverage of
the earth’s surface.
• Land pollution is the contamination of the Earth's surface by the accumulation of various
hazardous substances, disrupting its natural balance and affecting both living organisms and the
environment.
• This encompasses the presence of toxic substances, non-biodegradable materials, and
contaminants on land, altering its composition and potentially rendering it unsuitable for
various uses.
CONT…

• Land pollution can still be defined as the introduction of the substances

which are present at concentrations that may cause harm to the health of
living organisms into the functioning of the ecosystem.
• And lastly, it can also refer to the addition of the harmful substances into
the soil that adversely affect the physical, biological, chemical properties
of soil reducing it’s productivity.
TYPES OF LAND POLLUTION
• Invasive Land pollution
This is the pollution which affects both the earth’s surface and a significant hallow depth
beneath the earth’s surface. It is called invasive because the degradation permeates the
surficial zone that serves as a limit in convectional. It is caused by nuclear testing, mining ,
earth quakes and many others
• Non invasive land pollution.
This is the type of pollution whose effect is restricted to only the earth’s surface. The cause
can attributed to factors like pollutant type, soil and subsurface characteristics, topography
and climate . The causes include soil erosion, deforestation, poor agricultural practices, oil
spills, chemical discharges and many others.
CAUSES OR SOURCES OF LAND
POLLUTION
Human sources of land pollution
 Excessive use of agrochemicals
The use of inorganic fertilizers, harmful pesticides and insecticides to protect crops for a
longtime affects the land since they are toxic and affect the life of living organisms and the
land become barren too.
 Littering of pollutant
Pollutants like polythene bag s and other plastics are non biodegradable and affect the life
of living organisms.
CONT…

 Deforestation
This is the cut down of trees without replacement. It exposes land to
agents of soil erosion hence leading to land pollution
 Leakages from solid waste materials
Pipelines that dispose off wastes may develop leakages hence disposing
wastes on land
CONT...
 Mining
Mining as a human activity affects the physical , biological and chemical composition of land. The
mining process can lead to creation of large open spaces beneath the surface of the earth. This can result in
land caving in , which compromises the integrity of the land. Mining also results in harmful chemicals ,
such as uranium, being disturbed and released into the environment.
 Nuclear waste
Nuclear plants can produce a huge amount of energy through nuclear fission and fusion . The left over
radioactive material contains harmful and toxic chemicals that can affect human health. They are dumped
beneath the earth to avoid any casualty
CONT…
 Human sewage
Untreated human waste can produce toxic gases that can seep into the ground. As
with air pollution, the soil quality is negatively impacted, and land nearby can be
contaminated. In addition to this, the probability of human illnesses occurring
increases.
These wastes are disposed in the environment from places like homes, schools and
many more other places for example pampers, faeces and many more other
wastes can cause land pollution when improper disposal is done.
CONT…

 Oil and gas spillings

The pipelines that transport Oil may have leakages hence pouring oil on
land and this may affect the biological and chemical plus physical properties
of land
Oil spills can contaminate soil hence affecting its ability to support plant
growth.
CONT…
 Industralization
The industrial revolution may have resulted in significant positive changes to the economy and
society, but it also leads to significant pollution of land. Through unsafe disposal practices for
chemicals used in manufacturing, poor regulation and the overwhelming number of industries
and factories that are polluting the land daily, industrialization has become one of the main
contributors to the pollution problem
 NATURAL SOURCES OF LAND POLLUTION

• Erosion:
Natural processes like wind and water erosion can remove the topsoil,
which is rich in nutrients and essential for plant growth. Erosion can lead to
the loss of fertile soil and the exposure of underlying, less fertile layers.
• Volcanic eruptions:
Volcanic eruptions release ash, lava, and other materials that can cover
large areas of land, contaminating the soil with minerals and chemicals. These
materials can be toxic to plants and animals.
 CONT…

• Soil erosion by rivers:

Rivers can naturally erode their banks, leading to the deposition of sediment
downstream. This sediment can contain pollutants and disrupt aquatic ecosystems when
it settles.
• Geological processes:
Natural geological processes, such as the weathering of rocks, can release minerals
and trace elements into the soil, which can sometimes be harmful to plants and
animals in excessive amounts.
CONT…

Wildfires:
Natural wildfires can release pollutants into the soil through the combustion
of organic matter, leading to athe accumulation of ash and charred debris. This
can negatively impact soil quality and fertility

Salinity: Natural salinity in the soil can be a problem in arid regions where
evaporation rates are high, leaving behind salt deposits. This high salinity can
degrade soil quality and make it less suitable for agriculture
EFFECTS OF LAND POLLUTION

• Soil Degradation:
Land pollution can lead to the degradation of soil quality, making it less fertile and
unsuitable for agriculture. This can reduce crop yields and food production.
• Loss of Biodiversity:
Polluted land can harm plant and animal species, leading to a decline in biodiversity.
Some species may become endangered or extinct due to habitat destruction and
contamination..
CONT…

• Crop Contamination:
Pollutants in the soil can be absorbed by plants, contaminating crops. Consuming
contaminated crops can lead to health problems in humans and animals.
• Altered pH Levels:
Pollution can disrupt the natural pH levels of soil, making it too acidic or alkaline. This
can negatively impact plant growth and soil microbial activity.
• Reduced Agricultural Productivity:
Land pollution can reduce the productivity of farmland, leading to lower crop yields and
economic losses for farmers.
CONT…

• Habitat Destruction:
Polluted land often results in the destruction of natural habitats for wildlife, making it
difficult for species to survive and thrive.
• Air Pollution
Dust and particulate matter from polluted land can become airborne, contributing to air
pollution. This can affect respiratory health and reduce air quality.
• Health Risks:
Land pollution can pose significant health risks to humans. Exposure to contaminated
soil or water can lead to various health issues, including skin disorders, respiratory
problems, and cancer
CONT…

• Soil Erosion:
Land pollution can contribute to soil erosion, as contaminated soil may be less stable and
prone to washing away during rainfall or other weather events.
• Groundwater
Contamination: Pollutants from the land can seep into underground aquifers,
contaminating valuable sources of drinking water.
• Disruption of Food Chains:
Pollution can disrupt food chains and ecosystems by affecting the organisms that live in
and depend on the polluted area.
CONT….

• Infertility in Animals:
Grazing animals may consume polluted vegetation, leading to reduced fertility, health
problems, and decreased milk and meat production.
• Economic Costs:
Land pollution can result in significant economic costs, including cleanup expenses,
reduced property values, and lost agricultural revenue..
 CONT…

• Water Pollution:
Contaminants from polluted land can leach into groundwater or run off into nearby water
bodies, causing water pollution. This can harm aquatic ecosystems and make water unsafe
for drinking and recreation
• Increased Flooding:
Altered land surfaces due to pollution can affect natural drainage patterns, potentially
leading to increased flooding during heavy rainfall events
 CONTROL OF LAND
POLLUTION
• Proper disposal of wastes
This focuses on treating wastes and disposing it in the safest manner possible.
• Re-using materials
This reduces the need for harvesting of resources. Products that are not reusable can likely be recycled.
• Sensitization
The public must be informed about the danger of land pollution and teaching them how to control land
pollution
CONT…
 Afforestation
When trees are planted the soil becomes well protected from the agents of soil erosion hence
preventing the land from pollution
 Enforcing strict Laws on land pollution
The government must develop strict laws governing the mining industry, disposal of wastes and
industrial wastes
 Controlling industrial effluents
The factories must develop the safest methods of disposing off wastes to
control land pollution. Most industries have Effluent Treatment Plants(ETP)
where effluent treatment is done before released into the environment.
 Alternative sources of energy
Alternative sources of energy like solar , biogas and many more other
sources of energy can be adopted to minimal use of nuclear energy.
CONT…
 Use of biodegradable materials.
The use of biodegradable materials enables to improve the properties of
soil like aeration plus the quality of soil hence preventing land pollution.
 Automation of transport systems for example in the oil and gas
industry
The systems of pipelines must be made in such away that the system is
automated to trip off incase of any leakage.
CONT…

 Bio remediation techniques

A waste management technique that includes the use of living organisms to
eradicate or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site
 Micro-mediation
This is the use of fungi to remove heavy metals from the environment
THANK YOU
REFERENCES
• Tyler , M. G. “1993”.Environmental Science, 4th ed, Wordsworth Belmond, California
USA
• William , R. 00C; Mary, A.C. “2019”. Principles of Environmental Science, 9 th ed,
McGraw Hill, New York City
• Roy, M.H. “2001”. Pollution: causes, effects and Control, 4 th ed, Royal Society of
Chemistry, London