Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2024)
An inclusive evaluation of soil pollution and its remediation by chemical, physical and biological methods
Author(s): Mahima Samanth
Abstract: Soil pollution occurs when the existence of some toxic elements or contaminants in the soil are in reasonably higher concentrations than the desired levels which can cause adverse effects on plants, animals and huma beings. Soil pollution can cause imbalance in the ecosystem, decrease the fertility of the soil, hinder the crop cultivation and pose health threats to the animals grazing in the fields containing contaminated soil. The excessive use of fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, in agriculture, improper disposal waste, extensive industrialization are the root cause of soil pollution. Additionally the soil is contaminated by the presence of heavy metals like lead, mercury in the soil that are toxic for the human health. Radioactive pollutants can enter soil through mining and improper radio waste disposal that causes soil pollution. Volatile organic compounds, explosives, nuclear and electronic waste causes soil pollution. When pollutants from the soil reach water bodies they can effect water quality and make the water unfit for human consumption and irrigation. Soil pollution can be prevented by certain chemical, physical and biological methods. This review discusses the main sources and causes of soil pollution and its impact on human and plants. It further includes the remediation methods of soil pollution. Some of them addressed in this review are chemical methods such as chemical oxidation, chemical leaching or soil washing, stabilization or solidification, immobilization, electrokinetic remediation and thermal methods such as thermal desorption, smouldering, physical methods like soil vapour extraction and vitrification, biological methods such as bioremediation, phytoremediation, vermi-remediation, phytomanagement, bioventing method.
Pages: 05-17 | 322 Views 111 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
Mahima Samanth. An inclusive evaluation of soil pollution and its remediation by chemical, physical and biological methods. Int J Chem Stud 2024;12(4):05-17.
