What Is Soil Contamination
Nestled amidst Nevada’s rugged landscapes lies a silent threat: soil contamination. And why does it happen? Soil contamination occurs when human-made chemicals, such as hydrocarbons and heavy metals, find their way into the earth, altering the natural soil environment.
Generally, soil contamination in Nevada is cited as a consequence of non-organic farming practices, industrial activity and improper waste disposal. Common chemicals involved in soil contamination include petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, solvents, pesticides and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, such as naphthalene.
Main Causes Of Soil Pollution
Soil pollution in Nevada is a complex phenomenon, and it can be triggered by a variety of things and activities, from the littering of cigarette butts to excess use of chemical fertilizers. Every cause is linked with another. Pinpointing at one particular cause is quite difficult. However, the leading causes are listed below.
1. Industrial Activity
Industrial activity has been the biggest contributor to the problem in the last century, especially since the amount of mining and manufacturing has increased. Most industries are dependent on extracting minerals from the Earth. Whether it is iron ore or coal, the by-products are contaminated, and they are not disposed of in a manner that cannot be considered safe. As a result, the industrial waste lingers in the soil surface for a long time and makes it unsuitable for use.
The state of SC rich mining history, coupled with modern industrial activities has left a legacy of pollutants seeping into the earth. Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury, remnants of mining operations, lurk beneath the surface, posing risks to human health.
2. Agricultural Activities
The utilization of chemicals in Nevada has gone up tremendously since technology provided us with modern pesticides and fertilizers. They are full of chemicals that are not produced in nature and cannot be broken down by it. As a result, they seep into the ground after they mix with water and slowly reduce the fertility of the soil. Other chemicals damage the composition of the soil and make it easier to erode by water and air. Plants absorb many of these pesticides, and when they decompose, they cause soil pollution since they become a part of the land.
3. Waste Disposal
Next, a growing cause for concern is how we dispose of our waste. While industrial waste is sure to cause contamination, there is another way in which we are adding to the pollution. Every human produces a certain amount of personal waste products by way of urine and feces.
While much of it moves into the sewer system, there is also a large amount that is dumped directly into landfills in the form of diapers. Even the sewer system ends at the landfill, where the biological waste pollutes the soil and water. This is because our bodies are full of toxins and chemicals which are now seeping into the land and causing pollution of soil.
4. Accidental Oil Spills
Oil leaks can happen during the storage and transport of chemicals. This can be seen at most of the fuel stations. The chemicals present in the fuel deteriorates the quality of soil and make them unsuitable for cultivation. These chemicals can enter into the groundwater through the soil and make the water undrinkable.
5. Acid Rain
Acid rain is caused when pollutants present in the air mix up with the rain and fall back on the ground. The polluted water could dissolve away some of the essential nutrients found in soil and change the structure of the soil.
As the communities of Nevada strive for sustainable development, better waste management and environmental preservation, addressing soil contamination emerges as a pressing concern, demanding collaborative efforts and innovative solutions to safeguard Nevada’s precious land for future generations.
