Definition of Land Pollution is given by the deterioration of the Earth’s land surfaces. Moreover, it occurs mainly due to the direct and indirect effects of human activities. Likewise, when we misuse land resources, land pollution falls.
Land pollution is entirely a global issue that is supposed to be immediately fixed. Unnecessary materials can contaminate the quality of our land. For example, the garbage on the streets is even a kind of land pollution only.
Also, if we are reading this, we should come to know, the world is getting polluted day by day. Human activities have given birth to various kinds of pollution that are harming our planet. One of such kinds is land pollution. Every one of us is aware that land pollution is quite equal to distress and destruction. Hence, we must find out some causes and preventive solutions to this pollution.
Land Pollution Causes
There are different causes which contribute to this pollution. The broad range of substances that spill on the land is the primary cause of land pollution. Likewise, these substances have diverse sources of origin. The most common ones are listed below
Garbage
This is one of the significant land pollution causes. In every household, we will find garbage. Tons and tons of garbage are produced by typical and domestic households annually. When that massive amount gets generated, the disposal of it falls short
Consequently, all this garbage gets dumped onto the land. This land of disposal is known as a landfill. Basically, it is a wastage of free land, which also gives birth to newer problems. For suppose, these landfills release a toxic gas that harms living beings and the ozone layer as well.
Factories
Factories contribute excessively to land pollution. They produce chemicals and toxic waste products, which proves significant damage to the land.
Besides, these factories dump their waste in water bodies and lands. While a few countries have stringent laws against this, some of them do not. This increases land pollution.
Farming
We all know that farming is essential for every person. They fulfill our food needs and demands. Still, some irresponsible farming methods become too harmful sometimes.
Uprooting forests for land area in order to farm, paving the way for land pollution. Furthermore, the fertilizers and insecticides sprayed on crops also damages the land.
Mining
However, it is another activity contributing to land pollution. In order to obtain minerals and coal, we dig holes into the land. This forms land erosion.
Likewise, it also produces toxins and harmful gasses, resulting in contaminated land and the air.
Urbanization
We humans have been building permanent settlements for the past 10,000 years, at least. Most of the towns and cities, and the infrastructure created, will remain with us for thousands of years into the future.
Many of us cannot classify human settlements as “land pollution,” however, the concept of urbanization marks a significant change to the landscape that can cause land pollution in either a variety of subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
Prevention of Land Pollution
There are various routes which can be taken on a higher level and as a small one. Any of it can initiate in preventing land pollution. In order to execute it, both the citizens and government must come together to do so.
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We can begin these with the below-explained prevention measures.
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Reducing the Usage of Pesticides and Chemicals
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Reducing pesticides and chemical fertilizer usage can help in the prevention of land pollution. In addition to contaminating the soil, they do no good for the crops.
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Also, instead of harmful toxins, farmers must use natural ingredients. They can switch to bio-fertilizers and manure. This will help to minimize land pollution.
Reforestation
As we all know that grassland and forests bind the soil. All of us must practice reforestation to protect the land from occurring pollution. Further, it will prevent us from floods and soil erosion. Besides, it will make the land more fertile and enhance biodiversity.
Recovering and Recycling the Material
We must recycle the waste material to stop polluting the land. We are also supposed to dispose of organic and inorganic waste separately and adequately. It helps in lessening the burden of landfills. Also, it will save more natural resources that are available.
Effects of Land Pollution
A few of the effects of land pollution are given below.
When chemicals and harmful substances from industrial processes are disposed of improperly on the land or in illegal landfills or storages, the chemicals and other substances could end up in the groundwater system.
The process is known as leaching. It can happen on industrial sites, farms, and landfills and affect plants’ and animals’ health and humans.
Drinking water affects land pollution profoundly. Up to 50% of the world’s population does not have safe drinking water, and every year, more water-based diseases result in up to 10 million deaths.