The causes of soil pollution can be broadly categorized into natural causes and anthropogenic (human-made) causes, with the latter being the dominant contributors. Among the main causes are:
- Industrial activities that discharge chemical wastes, heavy metals, and toxic substances into the soil.
- Agricultural practices involving excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
- Improper disposal of solid waste, including plastics, biomedical wastes, industrial wastes, and e-waste.
- Oil spills and fuel dumping.
- Mining activities and construction that disturb the soil and introduce contaminants.
- Acid rain that alters soil pH and nutrient balance.
- Dumping of nuclear wastes and sewage.
- Corrosion of underground storage tanks and accidental spills.
Natural causes include the weathering of rocks releasing toxic elements, natural accumulation of compounds, and natural disasters like floods that can introduce pollutants into the soil. In summary, soil pollution is mainly caused by human activities such as industrial waste discharge, agricultural chemical use, improper waste disposal, and accidents like oil spills, with natural processes playing a minor role in some cases.
