Combating soil pollution vital for addressing climate change.
Soil pollution refers to the presence of chemicals in soils that are either out of place or at higher-than-normal concentrations Excessive amount of nitrogen and trace metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury can impair plant metabolism and reduce crop productivity Around one-third of the world’s soils are degraded, due to unsustainable soil management practices Agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides and even antibiotics contained in animal manure are major potential pollutants Excess human activities leading to soil pollution took centre stage at the fifth Global Soil Partnership Plenary Assembly held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome.
When they enter the food chain, these pollutants pose risk to food security, water resources, rural livelihoods and human health.
Combating soil degradation Around one-third of the world’s soils are degraded due to unsustainable soil management practices.
Tens of billions of tonnes of soil are lost to farming each year, which in some countries affects as much as one-fifth of all croplands.
Land degradation is also a major problem in India.
In nine states, around 40 to 70 per cent of land has undergone desertification.
Of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDG) and 169 targets, four contain targets related to soils and sustainable soil management.
Such contamination may be produced by mining and industrial activity or by sewer and waste mismanagement.
In some cases, pollutants are spread over large areas by wind and rain.