Soil Pollution

Pesticides and preservatives are not only harmful to human beings, but they are also harmful to our environment and ecosystems. Pesticides used in organic farming may run-off and contaminate nearby bodies of water. If enough contaminated run-off from pesticides and artificial fertilizers get into water, it is able to poison animals and fish that live there. According to Raloff, recent studies have demonstrated that exposure to hormones has a substantial effect on the gender and reproductive capacity of fish, throwing off the natural cycle, (1). This is not only harmful to the animals that live there, but if enough fish are dying because of poisoned run-off, the fish industry could suffer and it will affect humans as well. The same chemicals that poison bodies of water could seep into our groundwater and affect the well water we drink and use daily. This does not happen with organic farming, because no chemicals are ever sprayed on the fields and there is much more run off because of tilling practices.

What is soil erosion? How can soil become polluted? What effect does soil erosion and pollution have on the environment?

It has been a prime location for studies to be conducted by health organizations to see if there are any links to the pesticide usage occurring along with people living in the vicinity of where it is being used. ARTICLE PESTICDES STUDY (Kehoe) The study correlates a link between certain chemicals that are used in the manufacturing of pesticides and these chemical ORGANOCHLORINES to Alzheimer’s disease along with many autism related defects between children. Children are who we try to keep safe as they are the young and will be our future. Pregnant women living in pesticide applied areas were more likely to have a child with birth defects as the chemicals are absorbed through the air and can reach the fetus via the bloodstream. These are also the most susceptible to these chemicals being used by farmers and the by the produce they

There are many things that enter our waterways that we have to clean out. One of the worst things is pesticides. They not only contaminate our water, but they are harmful to animals. It enters our water sources by seeping through the soil to groundwater or entering streams as surface run-off. Farmers and other workers try to keep our water safe from pesticides, but it is a very hard and stressful job. Let’s take a look at the ways that pesticides enter our water and also some possible solutions for this problem.

Soil pollution also referred to as soil contamination occurs when degradation or destruction of the earth’s surface and soil occurs directly or indirectly as a result of human activities. As Americans we tend to abuse the use of things such as cars for driving, books, paper, and computers without the knowledge of where it will end up. According to the food and Agriculture Organization approximately 40 percent of food in the U.S. goes to waste. After the garbage man has taken the materials, it ends up in a huge or small landfill waiting to be emerged into the soil. The average person generates

Soil is a mixture of mineral particles, decaying material, living organisms, air, and water. The specific aforementioned composition of soil permits plant life and is essential for life on Earth.

The chemical pesticides used in farming affect the quality of water because of run off which then go into lakes or rivers. In chapter four, Carson concentrates on the water pollution caused by pesticides. The pollution can be unsafe for use and causes fish to die. An example used is a study done by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1960 that showed that “our waters have become almost universally contaminated with insecticides.” (pg.41) The pesticides are especially threatening to groundwater which is an important source of drinking water for humans. Consequently, the chemicals in pesticides can cause cancer and other harm effects on our health. Another issue is that the pesticides in water and can mix with other chemicals and become a new chemical. Therefore, it can lead to the creation of an unknown chemical with harmful

Pesticides are heavily used by golf courses, as it is the same case with some parks and schools. Consumers face issues of pesticide exposure in water and food residues. For example, 94% of herbicide atrazine is found United States drinking water which is always tested by USDA. Therefore, the widespread and long term exposure to pesticides has got so many tremendous ecological effects over the years, starting from weed and pest resistance up to environmental contamination (Hakeem et al, 2017). Excessive intake of pesticides may perhaps lead to acts of biodiversity destruction. Numerous birds, aquatic animals and organisms are all under the risk of harmful and hazardous pesticides to their living. Pesticides are becoming concern of sustainability both global and environmental stability. It has been discovered that pesticides should be recovered from all Major River and water bank systems, and even from all groundwater streams. This is because residues from pesticide chemicals usually linger in the soil and they can spend there dozen years (Carson & Rachel, 2002). Pesticide chemicals enter and get lodged into fish bodies, reptiles, birds and wild and domestic animals. Frequent use of pesticides damages most fertile agricultural lands through harming the useful soil microorganisms, insect species and worms that limit pest populations naturally and

"It is not possible to add pesticides to water anywhere without threatening the purity of water everywhere. Seldom if ever does Nature operate in closed and separate compartments, and she has not done so in distributing the earth's water supply" (Carson 42).

According to the European Union’s Joint Research Center, soil contains nearly one third of all living organisms, but only about one percent have been identified. Another study in 2003 featured in the journal Ecosystems estimated that 5% of the United State’s soil biodiversity was “in danger of substantial loss, or complete extinction, due to agriculture and urbanization.” (Robbins) The damage comes from multiple sources. Paving or building over soil effectively blocks out the air, water, and light needed to have a functioning soil biome meaning that roads, cities, sidewalks, houses, and businesses have destroyed the soil beneath it. Agricultural practices remove organic material, decreasing food, and then allows fallowed land to become dry and exposed to the elements. Household, industrial, and agricultural toxins can also sterilize soil if not disposed of

By not using multiple chemicals to control crops, organic farming also ends up being better for the environment. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers such as manure so that they do not release artificial chemicals into the ground (“Organic Food”). In June of 1999 a report made by the U.S. Geologic Survey, found that most waterways and ground water supplies in both urban and rural areas contained enough pesticides to endanger aquatic life (“pesticides”). These chemicals can also leak into streams and encourage the growth of algae and intoxicate the water (“298 John P. Reganold et.al”). Furthermore studies have found that water contaminated with pesticides may accumulate in the

Land pollution is one of many pollutions humans fight against. Other pollutions like water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, thermal pollution, radioactive pollution, and more are crucial as well, but I believe land pollution is one of the major types of pollution because its aftermath. Anyhow, land pollution is the contamination of earth’s surface for the people’s misuse of the land. To be brief, there are different types of land pollution such as solid waste, pesticides and fertilizers, chemicals, and deforestation. According to the United Nations, the U.S is one of the top contributors to land pollution, disposing over 110 million tons of waste per year. Land pollution as well causes the Earth to lose approximately 25 billion tons of valuable topsoil each year. Additionally, it takes at least 500 years for a couple

The more pesticide farmer’s use, the more the rain distributes. When the pesticide gets picked up by the rain and ends up were in backyards, cites, the ocean. No one wants to be the reason for Earth’s end. “aldicarb was discovered in 96 wells on Long Island and DBCP (dibromochloropropane) was found in more than 2,000 wells in California” (PSEP)

Direct human poisoning is only a part of the danger of pesticide use. The toxic effects of pesticides are felt throughout the environment as well. Improperly used or disposed of pesticides that enter the waterways through runoff can cause substantial fish kills . Wild animals, domestic livestock, and birds also consume pesticides by eating smaller animals or vegetation in which toxic chemicals persist. The poison moves up the food chain in this manner and is often eventually ingested by humans .

One concern about pesticides and herbicide usage is the amount of residues left on the end product of crops sprayed with the chemicals, and their effects on human health. (Williamson, 2007, p. 184). However, these effects are closely tested and levels are strictly regulated to ensure there is no danger from possible pesticide residues. Since 1910, many rules, regulations, and agencies have been formed to monitor the safety of the pesticides and herbicides used in conventional farming. These chemicals must meet specific safety standards in order to be registered for use, and regulations on levels of each product safe for use are also put in place. (Tafel et al.,2007, p.184). All pesticides are rigorously examined to ensure they have no significant effects on human health, or the environment. The residues in the food chain are closely monitored, and regularly tested, to ensure they are below legal limits. In a recent survey of residues