Causes of soil contamination - How do soil contamination affect plant growth ?

Soil naturally contains different chemical and biological qualities. The qualities are very helpful for plants and animals. When the properties and composition of soil is affected due to chemicals used by people, soil contamination occurs.

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Soil contamination is generally known as soil pollution. There are many causes of soil contamination.

Today, a competition of developing nuclear weapons and missiles can be seen in most of the developed and developing countries like the US, the UK, Russia, China, and India. After the chain reaction, a huge amount of heat and radioactive elements are formed which creates soil pollution.

Farmers use various fertilizers and pesticides to improve the growth of the plant, and to kill the insects and weeds. These fertilizers contain highly concentrated chemicals, which directly affect the soil. Excess use of chemical insecticides kills even beneficial microorganisms present in the soil. This makes the soil infertile. Thus, uses of natural herbicides are suggested. Since harmful substances and chemicals kill beneficial microorganisms, which decompose the waste materials, the soil is no longer useful.More...

How Do Soil Contamination Affect Plant Growth ?

Different manmade changes are being made to the natural resources like water and soil. The products used by human being contain harmful chemicals, which affect microorganisms present in the soil. These chemicals are responsible for soil contamination, which in turn affects plant growth.Fertilizers containing high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus kill useful bacteria and fungi. So, instead of giving more advantage, these harmful chemicals have their drawbacks.

Pesticides and insecticides are used to improve the growth of the plant and to kill the pests and insects. However, excess use of these chemicals causes infertility in soil. Waste disposed by industries and factories also contains organic, inorganic, acidic and basic compounds which alters the nature and composition of the salt. The condition becomes worst with exposure of radioactive elements is done by nuclear chain reactions.Soil erosion is also responsible for affecting the plant growth negatively. This causes the eradication of useful minerals from the upper layer of soil. Deforestation is one of the major causes of soil erosion. Solid waste as well as liquid waste like oils and fuels generates a major problem. Water containing salt is also one of the major reasons.More...