Pollution, Land
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SAGE Publications
Abstract
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Land pollution is the degradation of the land surface through misuse of the soil by poor agricultural practices, mineral exploitation, industrial waste dumping, and indiscriminate disposal of urban wastes. It includes visible waste and litter, as well as pollution of the soil. The contamination of land usually results from its commercial and industrial uses or from the spillage and dumping of waste, including landfill. These activities leave behind levels of trace metals, hydrocarbons and other compounds on the land, which have the potential to cause harm to people or the environment. The main human contributors to pollution are landfills. About half of the waste is disposed of in landfills. The gradual decomposition of landfill wastes over several decades also generates new environmental problems in the form of air pollutants. Trace organic gases are emitted from landfills, along with significant amounts of methane and carbon (IV) oxide, both of which are greenhouse gases. Garbage and other forms of waste arising from homes, municipalities, industries, and agricultural practices are the major sources of pollution on the land environment. The indiscriminate discharge of these wastes into the environment creates a filthy environment.
Keywords
Q Science (General), QD Chemistry