Management and Remediation of Problem Soils, Solid Waste and Soil Pollution

Abstract

Soils with serious constraints to cultivation and that need special management techniques and practices are called as problem soils. These constraints may be physical such as dryness, wetness, steepness and extreme textures and chemical such as acidity, salinity, sodicity and lack of fertility. Reversing the degradation of soil, water and biological resources and enhancing crop production through appropriate management and remediation are essential components in achieving food and livelihood security. Due to rapid increase in the production and consumption processes, societies generate as well as reject solid materials regularly from various sectors-agricultural, commercial, domestic, industrial and institutional. Solid wastes are the wastes generated from anthropogenic activities that are generally solid and are refuge as useless or unwanted. Generation of solid wastes exerts pressure on natural resources and seriously undermines sustainable development. One of the best ways to solve the situation is to manage solid waste efficiently. Presence of xenobiotic (man-made) compounds or other alterations in the natural soil environment culminates into soil pollution. The principal sources of soil pollution include industrial activity, agricultural chemicals or improper disposal of waste. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and benzo(a) pyrene), solvents, pesticides, lead and other heavy metals. Soil pollution causes health and ecological risks. In this chapter, we shall discuss different soil contaminants, including solid wastes and problem soils, their health and ecological risks and overall management practices to control soil pollution.