Soil pollution is caused by the presence of man-made chemicals or other alteration in the natural
soil environment. This type of contamination typically arises from the rupture of underground storage
links, application of pesticides, percolation of contaminated surface water to subsurface strata, oil and
fuel dumping, leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of industrial wastes to the soil. The
most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead and other
heavy metals. This occurrence of this phenomenon is correlated with the degree of industrialization and
intensities of chemical usage.
A soil pollutant is any factor which deteriorates the quality, texture and mineral content of the
soil or which disturbs the biological balance of the organisms in the soil. Pollution in soil has adverse
effect on plant growth.
Pollution in soil is associated with
• Indiscriminate use of fertilizers
• Indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides
• Dumping of large quantities of solid waste
• Deforestation and soil erosio