Getting to the Root of Soil Erosion

We're just a few years away from the damage to our environment becoming irreversible.

Rapid technological advancements gave way to decades of reckless practices with little to no concern about the consequences of the harmful burning of fuels and irresponsible handling of chemicals. Large corporations have treated our planet like an unlimited well of resources for the taking.

Climate change might have reached the point of no return. Fortunately, efforts to mitigate total destruction include systematic efforts to clean up and create sustainable industrial practices. Soil remediation for contaminated soil offers solutions to preserve crops and prevent major health disasters.

What’s Contaminating the Soil

Pollution has created detrimental effects on the soil, which significantly impacts our food sources because of crop soil contamination. According to the UN, 33% of all soil in the world has degraded because of man-made chemicals.

This problem will continue to compound itself without implementing moves toward restoring contaminated soil. But what are the causes of soil contamination that's affecting the entire planet? Some of the major culprits, all of them tied to human activity, include fertilizers, pesticides, landfills, deforestation, and industrial waste.

The most damage comes from industrial waste, deforestation, and pesticides used by large corporations and industrial farms. These careless industrial and corporate practices result in wastes and contaminants getting into the soil. Individual human consumption, when compiled together, leads to further pollution and harm.

The Harmful Effects of Large-Scale Deforestation

Deforestation also causes a great deal of harm because it removes nature's ability to restore itself. Trees grow their roots deep into the soil. This allows for a large drainage system that works because the roots leave pathways in the dirt.

These pathways make it possible for air to pass through. This helps because they aerate the soil which keeps it healthy and able to absorb nutrients. Otherwise, soil becomes too compacted; so, when large construction and manufacturing companies clear out trees, large portions of soil dry up completely making them unable to grow anything.

They also provide channels for water to pass through which protects and feeds the soil. Otherwise, water merely runs off the surface of the soil which is another way for the soil to get too dry. Lastly, branches and leaves that fall from trees decompose in the soil which functions as a major source of nutrients.

The soil in turn gives proper nutrients to the trees as well as crops and other plants.

The Industrial Chemicals Pollute the Earth

Soil contamination is a systemic issue created by the large industrial complex. The most prominent catalysts leading to soil pollution originate from construction, manufacturing, mining, and fuel production. Extensive transportation systems and the industries that support them also lead to significant contributions to erosion.

Mass production has made access to available goods readily accessible on a global scale. Yet, unsustainable manufacturing processes create an excess amount of waste that causes contamination in the soil. These practices expose surrounding communities, to chronic and life-threatening health issues. Developing nations and impoverished regions suffer disproportionately from the effects of industrial pollution.

Thus, countries have passed laws and set legal precedents to drive large corporations to improve their standard practices to decontaminate wastewater. The above chemicals are just a few of the many contaminants plaguing our soil.

Three Ways to Systematically Decontaminate Soil

Soil remediation refers to the process used to remove harmful contaminants from soil. Some processes include removing harmful pollutants entirely, while other soil remediation techniques convert pollutants into less dangerous compounds.

These processes remove contaminants so they don't become absorbed by crops. It prevents pollutants from seeping into groundwater supplies. Harmful compounds have caused life-threatening or chronic illnesses in surrounding communities.

In many areas, the damage runs deep because of long-term contamination. Here is an overview of the most common processes used in soil remediation.

Soil Encapsulation

Soil encapsulation describes separating contaminated soil and keeping it in isolation while the harmful elements are removed. Portions of polluted soil get taken from where they normally exist for decontamination before being added back to the regular soil. Soil is mixed with concrete, cement, and lime to divide specific sections of soil from the entire land.

This method often causes other issues when implemented on farming soil. Mainly, the soil becomes temporarily unusable. Farms cannot plant and harvest on specific sections of land while they've become encapsulated.

The loss of crops during this time could lead to shortages in food chain supplies. Large companies and farmers also risk financial losses. This option affords less convenience because it disrupts production.

Soil Washing

Soil washing removes contaminants through a cleaning system using water and different surfactants. Surfactants (surface active agents) stir up the soil's surface. This traps polluted soil for removal by using structures called micelles.

Micelles consist of surfactant heads and hydrophobic tails. The heads move to the outer edges for exposure to water. This removes soil from the surface and pulls it into the cleaning solution.

The hydrophobic tails converge in the center to avoid contact with water. They attract soil for separation by surrounding it. Companies perform soil washing using nonionic surfactants.

Nonionic surfaces have a cloud. It describes the temperature at which soil begins to separate. You know this is happening because the cleaning liquids look cloudy.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation describes one of the more common and organic decontamination processes. It uses bacteria, archaea, and species of fungi to absorb contaminants. This removes the pollutants from the soil creating a symbiotic process.

Fungi operate as nature's cleanup crew. They already decompose wastes naturally. In turn, they release enzymes that can decompose plant fibers.

Barley, wheat, cotton, and sugar beet also act as agents for bioremediation. You can plant these crops to remove dangerous compounds from the environment entirely.

Will These Efforts Permanently Stop Disastrous Outcomes?

Scientists estimate that it takes roughly 20-30 years for major soil contaminants like fossil fuels to be fully eradicated from the soil. Decades of unchecked damage resulting from limited to nonexistent regulations might never have a chance to repair. Unless corporate entities and major world governments massively overhaul industrial processes more pollution will hurt the soil, and in turn water supplies and crops.

The solution needs to stretch beyond just rectifying pollution that’s already set in and continues to materialize. It will take more than a village. Stricter regulations and updated industrial processes require a massive global shift.