Definition of soil contamination

When it comes to knowing the meaning of the term soil pollution, it is necessary, first of all, to discover the etymological origin of the two main words that shape it:-Contamination derives from the Latin "contaminatio", which, at its instead, it derives from the verb "contaminare" which can be translated as "dirty" or "corrupt".-Soil also has its origin in Latin, where appropriate, exactly in the word "solum".

When We mention the idea of ​​ pollution , we are referring to the act and the result of contaminating : generate, through physical or chemical agents, a harmful alteration in the natural or normal characteristics of something.

There are different types of pollution, such as environmental pollution , air pollution and water pollution .In this case we will focus on the soil pollution : the degradation of the properties of a land .

When the soil is contaminated, it can no longer be used by the human being for cultivation, but the soil also cannot fulfill its natural functions due to the modification of its conditions.

Soil contamination can be caused by the discharge of chemicals (such as pesticides, for example), the accumulation of radioactive substances or the water leaks Served , to name a few possibilities.It is important to keep in mind that the risk to health transcends direct contact with contaminated soil, since contamination can even reach the groundwater.

Atomic tests, the so-called agricultural technology and even the pouring of plastics are other causes that can cause soil contamination.That is, without forgetting the so-called land compaction.

Among the main consequences of the aforementioned contamination, in addition to the damage it causes to health, there are some such as:-There is a direct and forceful attack against the vegetation, which will be degraded because the soil is no longer It is apt.-The previous consequence will bring, in addition, that the animal species are seriously damaged.Therefore, not only the food chain is strongly altered but that many species can get serious.-It directly affects the landscape, that will be degrading in a clear and forceful way.-The possibility of drinking water is difficult.

Suppose an edible plant grows in a contaminated soil.When the people and the Animals ingest these plants, harmful substances can enter your body, so soil contamination can cause intoxication , either mild or severe.

To protect the health of individuals and the subsistence of fauna and flora, therefore, it is imperative that governments protect the soil and control the state of them.they affect the quality of life and can compromise the future of a population.

In order to avoid soil contamination and these aforementioned adverse consequences it is necessary that, in addition to the actions of governments and administrations, other solutions such as recycling are chosen, and that is that many of the articles that end up contaminating the soil , like bottles or bags, they can have a new useful life.