EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Soil pollution refers to anything that causes contamination of soil and degrades the soil quality. The soil contamination can occur due to the presence of chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, ammonia, petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, nitrate, mercury, naphthalene, etc., in an excess amount.

Detailed explanation-2: -Though many chemicals contribute to agriculture pollution, the most common source are nutrients released by humans into the environment, namely nitrogen and phosphorus. Examples include fertilizers, wastewater, automobile exhaust and natural animal waste.

Detailed explanation-3: -Pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture can contaminate both groundwater and surface water, as can organic livestock wastes, antibiotics, silage effluents, and processing wastes from plantation crops.

Detailed explanation-4: -Pesticides have the potential to harm the environment and wildlife if poorly or inappropriately used. In arable farming areas, in particular, pesticides can contribute to diffuse pollution via field run-off, spray drift and accidental spillages.