The Causes of Soil Pollution

Soil can become polluted for a number of reasons but the most common causes are due to pollutants that humans use. These include fertilizers, toxic wastes by chemical plants, and pesticides, to name a few. When the soil's natural balance is disturbed by such pollutants, it can lead to crops and vegetation dying.

Agricultural Causes of Soil Pollution

There was a time before the 1950s that pesticides were not used in agriculture, but after the 1950s, the synthetic forms of pesticides began to become popular. The purpose of the pesticide was to kill off any pests that may ruin crops by eating them or otherwise making them inedible. However, the price for this convenience has led to widespread soil pollutions. These pesticides get deep into the soil making it polluted. 

Irrigation Problems Causes Soil Pollution

Many farmers began using the synthetic pesticides widespread but did not have a good irrigation system when they did so. Therefore, the water when it rained and came into contact with the crop and soil ran off in all different directions so that the water was polluted and it traveled to other areas of soil that had previously not been contaminated.

Sewage Leaking into the Soil

When there are unsanitary sewage lines that are leaking, this seeps into the soil and can contaminate it and cause pollution of the soil. This leakage may go on for years before it is fixed and meanwhile the pollution of the soil has traveled long distances underground to literally ruin soil that is far from the original leak. All of these pollutants can and do contribute to the earth's overall pollution problem.