LAND POLLUTION
GROUP 4
WHAT IS LAND POLLUTION?

Land pollution is the destruction of the
earth's land surfaces, often directly or
indirectly as a result of human activities
and their misuse of land resources.

It occurs when waste is not disposed of
properly, or can occur when humans
throw chemicals into the soil in the form
of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers
during agricultural practices.
Exploitation of minerals (mining
activities) has also contributed to the
destruction of the earth's surface.

Since the Industrial Revolution,
natural habitats have been destroyed,
and environments have been polluted,
causing diseases in both humans and
many other species of animals. Human
actions have also caused many large
areas of land to lose or reduce their
capacity to support life forms and
ecosystems. This is known as land
degradation.

So we shall see more about Land and
Environmental Pollution, the sources
of the pollution, its consequences and
a few things we can do to prevent
further pollution and protect our
environment.
TYPES OF POLLUTION
There are different types of land pollution
a.
b.
c.
d.
Solid Waste
Pesticides and Fertilizer
Chemicals
Deforestation
SOLID WASTE
These
include all the various
kinds of rubbish we make at
home, school, hospitals,
market and workplaces.
Things like paper, plastic
containers, bottles, cans,
food and even used cars and
broken electronic goods,
broken furniture and hospital
waste are all examples of
solid waste.


Some of these are biodegradable
(meaning they easily decay into
organic matter). Examples include
food droppings, paper products as
well as vegetation

Others are not biodegradable, and
they include plastics, metals and
aluminum cans, broken computer and
car parts

Because Solid Waste does not easily
decay, they pile up in landfills (a
place where all the city's rubbish
are sent), where they stay for
thousands of years. These bring
great harm to the land and people
around it.
Pesticides and Fertilizer

Many farming activities engage in
the application of fertilizers,
pesticides and insecticides for
higher crop yield. This is good
because we get more food But can
you think of what happens to the
chemicals that are used on the
crops and soils? Sometimes, insects
and small animals are killed and
bigger animals that eat tiny animals
(as in food chains) are also harmed.
Finally, the chemicals may be
washed down as it rains and over
time, they end up in the water
giving rise to Water Pollution.
CHEMICALS

Chemical and nuclear power plants
produce waste materials that have
to be stored somewhere. Fertilizer,
insecticides, pesticides,
pharmaceuticals manufacturers
also produce lots of solid and liquid
waste.

In many cases they are stored in
an environmentally safe way, but
there are some that find their way
into landfills and other less safe
storage facilities. Sometimes they
also find their way into leaking
pipes and gutters. They end up
polluting soils and making crops
harmful to our health.
Deforestation

Humans depend on trees for many
things including life. Trees absorb
carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas)
from the air and enrich the air with
Oxygen, which is needed for life.
Trees provide wood for humans and a
habitat to many land animals, insects
and birds.

Trees also help replenish soils and
help retain nutrients being washed
away. Unfortunately, we have cut
down millions of acres of trees for
wood, construction, farming and
mining purposes, and never planted
new trees back. This is a type of land
pollution.
SOURCES OF LAND
POLLUTION
Agricultural sources:
These include waste matter
produced by crop, animal manure, and
farm residues. They also include the
chemical left over of all pesticides,
fertilizers and insecticides used for
agricultural activities
Mining sources:

This includes piles of coal refuse and heaps of slag
and underground debris. Mining and forestry
activities that clear the land surfaces (clear
cutting) and use 'skid trails' often leave the land
unrestored.

The surface is exposed to erosion which destroys
the quality of the land. Additionally, iron and other
chemicals such as copper, mercury and lead from
mining practices leach into the soil, polluting it and
leaving it exposed to water bodies as well.
Sewage Treatment:

Wastes that are left over after
sewage has been treated, biomass
sludge, and settled solids. Some of
these are sent directly to landfills
while other treatment plants burn
them to generate electricity. Both
end up polluting the environment.
Construction sources:
 These include waste like debris,
wood, metals and plastics that are
produced from construction
activities
Industrial sources:
 These include paints, chemicals,
metals and aluminum, plastics and so
on that are produced in the process
of manufacturing goods.
Deforestation
 This is when trees are cut down for economic
purposes, mining, farming and construction. In
forest areas, trees absorb and reflect about
20% of the intense heat from the sun,
protecting and preserving its surface soils.
Cutting down trees means that the land is
exposed to direct sunlight and rain, resulting
in soil erosion, desertification and land
degradation.
Urbanization
 Man is to be blamed for most of the
land degradation. Productive areas
are fast declining because of
developmental activities such as
human settlement, industries, roads,
railways, airports etc.
DUMPING
 Dumping of solid wastes is one of the most
important factors which are responsible
for the land pollution. In developing
countries like India, the garbage and refuse
products are simply dumped leading to land
pollution.
EFFECTS OF LAND
POLLUTION
There can be catastrophic consequences of land
pollution in relation to humans, animals, water and soils. The
effects are even worse if the garbage is not separated into
organic, reusable and recyclable waste.
1. Soil Pollution

Soil pollution is another form of land pollution,
where the upper layer of the soil is damaged.

This is caused by the overuse of chemical
fertilizers, soil erosion caused by running
water and other pest control measures; this
leads to loss of fertile land for agriculture,
forest cover, fodder patches for grazing etc.
2. Change in Climate Patterns:
 The effects of land pollution are very
hazardous and can lead to the loss
of ecosystems. When land is
polluted, it directly or indirectly
affects the climate patterns.
3. Cause Air pollution:
 Landfills across the city keep on growing
due to increase in waste and are later
burned which leads to air pollution. They
become home for rodents, mice etc.
which in turn transmit diseases.
4. Environmental Impact:

When deforestation is committed, the tree
cover is compromised on. This leads to a steep
imbalance in the rain cycle. A disturbed rain
cycle affects a lot of factors.

To begin with, the green cover is reduced.
Trees and plants help balance the atmosphere,
without them we are subjected to various
concerns like Global warming, the greenhouse
effect, irregular rainfall and flash floods among
other imbalances.
5. Effect on human health:
 The land when contaminated with toxic
chemicals and pesticides lead to problems
of skin cancer and human respiratory
system. The toxic chemicals can reach our
body through foods and vegetables that we
eat as they are grown in polluted soil.
6. Distraction for Tourist:
 The city loses its attraction as a
tourist destination as landfills do not
look good when you move around the
city. It leads to loss of revenue for the
state government.
7. Effect on Wildlife:

The animal kingdom has suffered mostly
in the past decades. They face a serious
threat with regards to loss of habitat
and natural environment.

The constant human activity on land is
leaving it polluted; forcing these species
to move further away and adapt to new
regions or die trying to adjust. Several
species are pushed to the verge of
extinction, due to no homeland.

Other issues that we face include
increased temperature, unseasonal
weather activity, acid rains etc. The
discharge of chemicals on land makes it
dangerous for the ecosystem too. These
chemicals are consumed by the animals
and plants and thereby make their way
in the ecosystem. This process is called
biomagnification and is a serious threat
to the ecology.
How to prevent land pollution?
 Like many other challenges, the best way to solve problems is to understand
them. This means learning about it (like what you are doing now) is the
greatest step forward.
“People should be educated and made aware
about the harmful effects of littering. Discuss
with friends and family and talk about it…
3 R’s ( REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE)

The greatest prevention to land pollution is in the
three 'R's'... Reduce Waste, Re-use things and
Recycle things. This is true even for governments.
They can also use the three 'R' rule to minimize the
amount of waste that ends up in landfills. After the
three 'R's, remember to turn the rest of the garbage
into compost. Reuse any items that you can. Items
like clothing, bottles, wrapping paper and shopping
bags can be used over and over again, rather than
buying new things

Adoption of organic farming instead of using synthetic
chemicals

Proper disposal of industrial wastes into secured
landfill sites Proper collection, transportation and
disposal of municipal wastes.

Personal litter should be disposed of properly. We can
separate household waste at home for recycling.

More than half of our household waste could be
recycled or re-used but once it is mixed up, it
becomes more difficult to separate different
components for recycling. This is also true for waste
we make at school or hospitals.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?

Buy biodegradable products

Store all liquid chemicals and waste in spillproof containers.

Eat organic foods that are grown without
pesticides. Look out for fertilizer or pesticide
free products when you go to the market.

Don't use pesticides if you can.

Buy products that have little packaging.
So now you are aware about the causes of
Land Pollution!
So it's in our hands to use Earth
Properly..
CONCLUSION
 Certainly a country that is growing rapidly and developing in various fields.
but in the rapid pace of development, many do not realize that it also carries
side effects on the environment. So we have to go to Sustainable
Development.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!!!!
Group 4 Members:
Esparagoza, Jean Razel
Entrialgo, Charlene
Jabbal, Arvinah
Liniasan, Grace