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• Published: 16 August 2021

Impact of land use/land cover changes on water quality and human health in district Peshawar Pakistan

• Waqas Ahmad   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3250-8015 1 ,
• Javed Iqbal 1 ,
• Muhammad Jamal Nasir 2 ,
• Burhan Ahmad 1 ,
• Muhammad Tasleem Khan 1 ,
• Shahid Nawaz Khan 1 &
• Syed Adnan 3  

Scientific Reports volume  11 , Article number:  16526 ( 2021 ) Cite this article

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• Environmental sciences

The quality and quantity of groundwater resources are affected by landuse/landcover (LULC) dynamics, particularly the increasing urbanization coupled with high household wastewater discharge and decreasing open lands. This study evaluates temporal changes of groundwater quality for 2012 and 2019, its relation to Landuse/landcover, and its impact on Peshawar's residents (study area), Pakistan. A total of 105 and 112 groundwater samples were collected from tube wells in 2012 and 2019. Samples were then analyzed for seven standard water quality parameters (i.e., pH, electric conductivity (EC), turbidity, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and nitrate). Patient data for waterborne diseases were also collected for the years 2012 and 2019 to relate the impact of groundwater quality on human health. Landsat satellite images were classified for the years 2012 and 2019 to observe landuse/landcover dynamics concerning groundwater quality. Results manifested a decrease in groundwater quality for the year 2019 compared to 2012 and were more highlighted in highly populated areas. The nitrate concentration level was found high in the vicinity of agricultural areas due to the excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers and pesticides, and thus the methemoglobinemia patients ratio increased by 14% (48–62% for the year 2012 and 2019, respectively). Besides, Urinary Tract Infections, Peptic Ulcer, and Dental Caries diseases increased due to the high calcium and magnesium concentration. The overall results indicate that anthropogenic activities were the main driver of Spatio-temporal variability in groundwater quality of the study area. The study could help district health administration understand groundwater quality trends, make appropriate site-specific policies, and formulate future health regulations.

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Introduction

The world's water ecosystem is at high risk due to its changing biological, chemical, and physical properties 1 . Groundwater, which is the primary source for drinking, is deteriorating due to the increasing population growth, urbanization, land use/land cover changes, water demand, and climate change 2 . The combined effects of these changes and nature activities such as droughts and water resources, particularly freshwater, are becoming inadequate and polluted 3 , 4 . The human population also suffers from water diseases such as methemoglobinemia (blue-baby syndrome) and thyroid effects in bottle-fed infants (less than 6 months old) 5 , 6 caused by nitrate polluted portable water. This rapid increase in population also transforms the natural environment into an anthropogenic environment, which means that the anthropogenic activities would take place at a massive scale, such as industrialization and massive food production activities to meet the food and fiber demand the exponential population growth 7 , 8 . At the dawn of the industrial revolution, humans' life span had decreased due to the consumption of polluted water discharged from the industries and mixed with clean water 9 .

Groundwater is a crucial element that plays a significant role in the health of humans, animals, and aquatic ecosystems. However, this water faces high pollution risks from anthropogenic activities like massive agricultural crop production, urbanization, mining, and industrial developments 10 . Human is the primary cause for the contamination of the groundwater. More agriculture activities will have more chances to contaminate the groundwater because of the excessive applications of pesticides, herbicides, and massive nitrogenous fertilizer applications 11 , 12 . The impacts of the groundwater contamination are more noticeable in the areas which are more suffering from salinity, desertification, or areas that do not have sufficient groundwater to support intense agricultural activities. An alluvial aquifer is vulnerable to contamination due to several factors, including high permeable alluvial deposits, shallow water table, the interconnection between the agriculture water, and the surface runoff water. Also, direct discharge of domestic wastes, industrial discharge, leakage from the septic tank, and poor farm waste management is the intrusive groundwater contamination source 13 , 14 .

Pakistan is at a very crucial stage of water scarcity 15 . The water quality level is also below the recommended guidelines of WHO 16 . Pakistan's total annual average groundwater potential is 67,841.4 m 3 , and the abstraction is 51,189.42 m 3 . The water dearth of district Peshawar is 15,141.6472 m 3 , but, in a few decades, it would be 79,493.64779 cubic meters if sustainable management are not adopted. The highest abstraction, which is 81%, takes place in the Punjab province out of which 80% have fresh and clean water while 20% have saline water. Also, Sind province has a 12% abstraction of groundwater in which the freshwater is 23%, and 77% is saline 17 . Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has 5% abstraction of groundwater. As a developing country, Pakistan needs to formulate proper planning about water-related issues such as water availability, quality, and consumption, and protection from diseases resulting from water pollution 18 . The private sector has taken an interest in groundwater development, so the Government of Pakistan assigned boreholes to the private sector 19 . About 6 million residents in Mardan, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Charsada districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have no access to clean potable water. The remaining people draw water from dug well and tube wells, which are more susceptible to pollution caused by sewerage lines, toilets, seepage, and percolation of polluted water 20 .

Real-time groundwater monitoring and sampling provide information about the quality and quantity of available water resources, which are important to understand groundwater's current state in the monitored area 8 . Groundwater monitoring and sampling are complex, difficult to apply to a broad area, and very costly compared to groundwater modeling. Groundwater modeling is less complicated and costly and allows us to evaluate broader areas 21 . In-Ground modeling, groundwater samples are collected at random locations, analyzed in the laboratory for various parameters such as temperature, color, hardness, pH, chloride, sulfate, and alkalinity, and their spatial distribution are carried out to detect the aquifer pollution throughout the area which helps to guide efficient groundwater management 22 , 23 .

Many groundwater studies in China, India, Bangladesh, Iran, and Pakistan have been conducted, and various approaches have been employed to assess groundwater quality 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 .

These approaches include regression modeling 26 , 28 or modeling based on geospatial data such as geographical information systems (GIS) and Remote sensing (RS) 25 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 . These kinds of analyses help identify the intimidations of water quality and provide a vital role for the decision-makers to allow them to take immediate action and ensure groundwater development sustainability 21 , 33 , 34 . However, none of these studies, mainly those applied in the Peshawar district (study area) used a holistic approach interlinking the groundwater quality impact on human health and its consequences and formulation of the remedial action plan against the groundwater pollution risk on human health.

The study aimed to exploit the spatio-temporal variation of various groundwater quality parameters and evaluate the effect of landuse/landcover dynamics for the years 2012 and 2019 on the Peshawar district's groundwater quality, Pakistan. Peshawar was selected as our study area due to the rapid changes in groundwater and infrastructure development 35 and the absence of proper awareness and sustainable management regulations 36 . This study would help to minimize the contamination of groundwater quality by improving the existing water management policies.

Materials and methods

District Peshawar (33°.40′0.00″ to 34°.10′0.00″ N latitude and 71°.25′0.00″ to 71°.45′0.00″ E longitude), which is the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan (Fig.  1 ) was selected for this research based on its exponential population growth over three decades due to the settlement of internally displaced people (IDP) and a massive influx of Afghan refugees since 1979 37 , 38 . This has created multifaced pressure on natural resources, noticeably the deterioration of groundwater quality and its impact on human health 25 . Peshawar is the ninth-largest city of Pakistan; mostly, the population is urban. Peshawar is a plain area, having a total area of 1257 km 2 . Its climate is scorching in summer and mild in winter. The Valley of Peshawar is covered with consolidated deposits of silt, sands, and gravel of recent geological times 39 . The mean maximum summer temperature exceeds 40 °C (104 °F) during the hottest month (July), and the mean minimum temperature is 25 °C (77 °F). The mean minimum temperature during the coldest month (December) is 4 °C (39 °F), while the maximum is 18.3 °C (64.9 °F), and the average annual rainfall in district Peshawar is 30.48 cm during monsoon 40 .

Source: Open street map ( https://www.openstreetmap.org ).

Study area map showing the built-up area (red color), major settlements and major stream (blue color).

Collecting groundwater samples and laboratory analysis

A total of 105 and 112 groundwater samples were collected in 2012 and 2019, respectively, from different locations of 93 union councils of Peshawar district (Fig.  2 ) for analysis of different water quality parameters (Table 1 ) and to assess the impact of land use/landcover change on groundwater quality. The groundwater samples were analyzed for seven water quality parameters (Table 1 ) using the standard analytical methods as given in the Standard methods of the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association for water and wastewater (23rd Edition) 41 .

Showing the sample location of tube wells ( a ) the 2012 sample locations in different Union Councils and ( b ) the 2019 sample location point.

Spatial analysis of water quality parameters

The inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique was used to generate Spatio-temporal surface maps for each water quality parameter in the ArcGIS 10.5 42 . The IDW is a commonly used algorithm for interpolating point data in spatial terms, allowing estimates of values other than the sample points measured. This assumes that each point of measurement has a local influence, which fades away at a distance, and the strongest influences are always near the point observed 43 . The IDW technique was preferred over other interpolation techniques because the unsampled locations' predicted values are within the maximum and minimum values of the observed data.

Land use/land cover changes

To quantify (2012–2019) land use/land cover changes, remotely sensed LANDSAT 7 (30 m spatial resolution) and LANDSAT 8 satellite data were used (downloaded from the USGS website http://www.earthexplorere.com ). The 30-m resolution image was acquired on 15 May 2012, and another image was obtained from 18 May 2019, respectively. Both images were subjected to a series of pre-processing techniques, including geometric and radiometric corrections using the Arc GIS 10.5. Both images were spatially referenced in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection system (zone 42 north) with the World Geodetic System (WGS) 1984 as a datum. For the land-use classification, both images were processed separately and were subjected to supervised maximum likelihood classification using training sample polygons. The classification of the maximum probability assumes that statistics are normally distributed for each class on each strip and calculates the probability that a pixel belongs to a specific class. All pixels are classified unless, choose a probability threshold. The highest probability is assigned to each pixel (that is, the maximum likelihood). Based on the author's field experiences, a total of four major land use classes were present, including (1) agriculture (2) barren land (3) built-up areas, and (4) water bodies. After that, zonal statistical tools were applied to land use/land cover and all water quality parameters to evaluate the land use/landcover effect on water quality. It is a statistical tool that calculates each zone values based on the values from another dataset. In this study, the centroid of the union councils was converted into a point feature. With the help of these points feature, the water quality values were obtained from the interpolated rasters and land-use/landcover values in the form of tables using the “zonal statistics as table” tool in ArcGIS 10.5.

Health and water contaminated sources data for the management policy

Human health is more affected by bacteria, pathogens, organic substances, and various minerals present in drinking water. In developing countries, there is a significant proportion of people's health issues due to unsafe water microbial contamination, about five million children's deaths occur to the contamination in drinking water 44 . This situation is increasing day by day due to the rapid population growth, which ultimately results in poor water quality management. It is estimated that in Pakistan, 30% of all diseases and 40% of all deaths are due to unsafe drinking water 45 .

To analyze the water-related disease in the study area, major diseases (methemoglobinemia, Urinary Tract Infections, Peptic Ulcer Diseases, Dental Caries) District wise data were collected from the Health Department Of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is freely available for public for research and decision making purposes. The data was only 4 months from January to April of the 2 years (2012 and 2019). All guidelines and standard operating procedures were followed to access clinical data from district health office, Peshawar. The tube wells and the stream discharge data were obtained from the Water and sanitation services Peshawar (WSSP) to properly plan and sustain the groundwater.

Result and discussion

Analysis of groundwater quality parameters.

The minimum and maximum values of pH for the year 2012 were found to be pH = 7.1 and pH = 8.08, and for 2019, the minimum and maximum values in the study area were pH = 7.02 and pH = 8.0. Many factors, including both natural and manmade, can affect the pH in water. However, our results show that the minimum and maximum pH values from 2012 to 2019 remained unchanged within the study area (Fig.  3 ), but there is a noticeable change over the years. Spatiotemporal interpolation of pH displays an increasing trend, especially in the Southeastern region of study area Union councils from Mera Kachori to Sher Kera and in the northwest from Jogani to Malakandair.

pH of groundwater of the 2 years (2012 and 2019).

Spatial interpolation map of pH for the year 2012 shows that approximately in all districts pH values ranged between 7.5–8 except in Mera Kachori, but in 2019 pH value of these areas increased to 8–8.5 (Fig.  3 ).

Over the years, runoff generated from construction sites in urban areas and agriculture sites may have caused spatiotemporal groundwater quality parameter changes. From 2012 to 2019, the highest concentration of the pH was found in the built-up area. This could probably be due to the construction and the wastewater discharge from the domestic areas, while in the agriculture area, the highest pH concentration could be the use of pesticides and fertilization applications in the area. The pH values of all the samples were within the limit of WHO guidelines of water quality (Table 2 ).

Electrical conductivity is essential for the assessment of the water quality of a particular area. It acts as a baseline for measuring other water quality parameters as conductivity measures dissolved ionic concentration 46 . A significant variation in the conductivity value indicates a change in water quality or inclusion of some contaminants or indicates that the area is affected by some source of pollution 47 . In study results, the minimum and maximum value of EC recorded in 2012 was 389.82 µS/cm and 1691.69 µS/cm, while in 2019, the minimum and maximum EC values were 253.90 µS/cm and 1695.57 µS/cm, respectively (Fig.  4 ). The high value of EC in some areas such as Jogani, Mera Kochorai, and Umar Bala was may be due to the agricultural activity in these areas and leaching of minerals due to natural processes that occur around aquifer.

Electric conductivity of groundwater in the periods of 2012 and 2019.

Nitrate mostly occurs in groundwater due to anthropogenic activities and exists in small amounts in surface water. Rainfall, lighting, industrial effluents, decomposition of organic compounds, and fertilizers are the major nitrate sources on the earth's surface 48 , 49 , which leach into groundwater and contaminate aquifers. High levels of nitrate can create enteric infections 50 . Though the adults may tolerate a high nitrate level with little or no expected adverse health issues, care must be taken while consuming water with nitrate concentration significantly more than 50 mg/L. The minimum value of nitrate in water quality results of 2012 was found to be 0.09 mg/L, and the maximum value was 41.72 mg/L while in 2019 the minimum value of the nitrate was 1.25 and the maximum was 113.00. The values of Nitrate in 2012 were within the limit of the WHO guidelines but in 2019, the values were much higher than the recommended limit (Fig.  5 ).

Nitrate of groundwater in the periods 2012 and 2019.

Spatial analysis of 2012 water quality shows that nitrate values were within WHO guideline value despite agricultural activities. Over the years, with an increase in urban sprawl in the center of the city like in Hayatabad, Malakandair, and Tehkal Bala, sewage water is leaching into the ground and mixing in water supplies in 2019. The nitrate values are higher in southeast peripheral areas due to rapid urbanization and increased agricultural activities. Farmers use pesticides and large amounts of fertilizers to produce a high yield from small agricultural fields 35 . These areas have intensive agricultural activities. Thus the increase of nitrate from 2012 to 2019 is substantial. Babies consume large quantities of water relative to solid food, mainly if the water is used to mix powdered or concentrated formulas or juices. Therefore they are at high risk by consuming contaminated water. Infants have immature digestive systems, which allow the reduction of nitrate to nitrite 51 . In particular, the presence of nitrite in newborns' digestive tract can lead to a disease called methemoglobinemia. According to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, this disease increases in infants born in Peshawar's district (study area). The following Table 3 shows the treatment of newly born infants who had methemoglobinemia. In 2012, 46% of the newborn children were treated for methemoglobinemia while in 2019, it increased to 62% (Table 3 ), indicating that it will be the disaster in the future. A high amount of nitrate in potable water can also degrade the quality of water by increasing algal growth.

The chloride content level in fresh and uncontaminated water should be less than 250 mg/L 52 . According to the laboratory analysis of samples taken from the study area, the minimum and maximum values of chloride in 2012 were 13.30 mg/L and 94.79 mg/L, while in 2019, the minimum and maximum values were 10.02 mg/L and 87.98 mg/L, respectively (Fig.  6 ).

Chloride hardness of groundwater of 2 years (2012 and 2019).

Although Calcium is found in human teeth and bones as well as plays a vital role in blood clotting and vascular movements, however, the higher concentration of Calcium in the gastrointestinal tract of people having vitamin D- deficiency hyper calcimine and milk-alkali syndrome can reduce the absorption of other vital elements like iron and zinc 53 .

Calcium is part of our dietary intake; therefore, on the basis of water hardness, according to drinking water quality guidelines of WHO 2017, an acceptable level of Calcium in drinking water is 100–300 mg/L. Water sample analysis results show that minimum and maximum concentration of Calcium in 2012 and 2019 were 60.05 and 367.73 mg/L, and 68.46 and 677.08, respectively (Table 2 , Fig.  7 ). As calcium is directly related to water hardness, the availability of carbonate or fluoride contents in drinking water leads to CaF 2 and CaCO 3 . These compounds can cause kidney tubular damage 54 . In the study area second most occurring disease is Urinary Tract Infections, which have 18,926 patients in 2012 (Jan–Apr), and in 2019 (Jan–Apr), the patients increased to 44,752 (Fig.  5 ). One of the reasons could be the occurrence of Calcium in the drinking water. The effect of acids on the teeth enamel surface causes dental caries. Dental caries patients in the study area were 13,422 in 2012 (Jan–Apr), and in 2019 (Jan–Apr), the number of patient was 33,695, which increased almost double (Fig.  8 ).

Calcium hardness of groundwater of the 2 years (2012 and 2019).

Source: Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 55 .

Water quality-related diseases in 2012 and 2019 in the Peshawar district.

Turbidity, an aesthetic parameter, is used as a measure for the clarity of the water. It is caused due to different suspended materials such as silt, clay, and biological suspension in water. High turbidity levels affect light penetration in surface water bodies and reduce their ecological productivity 56 . In the study area, the minimum and maximum turbidity in 2012 was 0.16 NTU and 7.09 NTU, while in 2019, the minimum and maximum turbidity were 0.03 NTU and 21.87 NTU (Fig.  9 ).

Turbidity of groundwater of the 2 years (2012 and 2019).

A comparison of turbidity in Fig.  8 depicts a slight increase in water turbidity in recent years but still within the limit of WHO guidelines. One of the leading causes of increasing turbidity could be wastewater intrusion into the groundwater aquifers. City planners must draft a water policy to cope up with rapid urbanization. Designing and maintaining efficient drainage, wastewater disposal, and treatment systems are required for metropolitan cities to provide clean and affordable water to citizens. Public awareness programs may be conducted to improve drinking water supply and water sanitation and disposal facilities.

Land use/landcover changes

The Maximum Likelihood (supervised) classification was performed for the two different years (2012, 2019) and the analysis of these classified images provided information about the land use/landcover features of the study area (Fig.  10 ). The analysis of the year 2012 classified image revealed that water bodies covered 7.163 km 2 (0.56%) area, 441.173 km 2 (34.86%) area by rangeland, 229.467 km 2 (17.86%) area by Built-up and agricultural land cover was 606.865 km 2 (47.24%) (Table 4 ). In 2019, the classification results showed that the water bodies covered area was 7.786 km 2 (0.61%). The rangelands were 484.718 km 2 (37.73%), 281.236 km 2 (21.89%) area were built-up, and agriculture land cover were 510.928 km 2 (39.77%) (Table 4 ). This analysis shows a decrease in the agricultural land whereas an increase in the rangeland, Water land and built-up has been noticed.

Landuse/landcover of the study area. ( a ) The 2012 land use/land cover. ( b ) The 2019 landuse/landcover.

Effect of land-use/landcover changes on groundwater quality

The impact of land use/land cover on water quality depends on the type of land category. For example, in extensive agriculture, large farms are being cultivated with relatively lower inputs of pesticides, and fertilizers which have not much more impact on groundwater. While in intensive agriculture, small farms are cultivated wherein there is high-level use of fertilizers, and pesticides, which have more impacts on groundwater. Also, build-up land shows a wide variation in groundwater quality, which depends on the disposal of polluted water which is used for anthropogenic activities and contaminant places. The zonal statistic tool was used to estimate the association between different land classes and mean concentration changes for all water quality parameters. This suggests that the groundwater in the region having more influence from land use/land cover conditions. All the 2019 water quality parameters have more variation than the 2012 water quality parameters shown in Table 5 .

Groundwater quality parameters show an increasing trend for the year 2019 (Table 5 ) in all land-use types (agriculture, rangeland, water, built-up) compared to the year 2012. In agricultural areas concentration of nitrate and magnesium switches (19.54 mg/L with a Standard deviation of 68.81 mg/L). This means that the amount concentration of these parameters was significantly increased in the year 2019 compared to 2012. The reason for a high concentration of nitrate, magnesium, and calcium could be the frequent use of pesticides and fertilizers at the farm level. In rangeland, the concentration of nitrate, calcium, and magnesium increases by 10.49 (mg/L), 82 (mg/L), and 28.71 (mg/L), respectively, due to the high infiltration of chemicals by nearby industries. Surface water is contaminated and polluted by mixing waste or drainage water from the household, enlarging Calcium and magnesium's concentration by 18.74 (mg/L) and 82.54 (mg/L) standard derivation, which is alarming for residents. The development in infrastructure amount of Calcium is increased in 2019 compared to 2012 (241.60 (mg/L) and 181.46 (mg/L), respectively), as shown in Table 5 . Calcium's high level in built-up areas is due to the decomposing of chemicals and waste materials from nearby solid waste damping zones.

Management strategies

Management strategies should include pollution prevention at source 57 , upgrading drinking water distribution lines, monitoring and maintaining them properly, and creating public awareness of using safe and clean water. The main reason in the study area is that there is no proper usage of dumping sites. The residence put all the garbage directly into the stream; also, the toilet pipes are come out directly to the streams, which are the leading causes of water pollution. Many tube wells extraction points were situated near the streams and canals by which household drainage and sewage systems opened. In the study area, strict compliance with national quality standards is required to curb pollution at the source. According to the PCSIR laboratory, Peshawar's water quality is poor and unsuitable for drinking without treatment Except Hayatabad 58 . The water supply and management departments and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) need to protect water resources from pollution 59 . There is a well-developed network of channels for irrigation purposes in the Peshawar district, but nowadays, due to anthropogenic activities, the water of these channels is very polluted. The residents also put their household wastes into these channels, causing water-related diseases (Tables 2 and 3 ). Irrigation water channels play a vital role in groundwater recharge in the adjacent areas; therefore, local administration needs to protect these irrigation channels from contamination and make water channel protection policy for future 60 .

In Pakistan, few industries have wastewater treatment plants to treat their effluent. The government should take strict action for its industrial effluent disposal, according to the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) under the 1997 Act 61 . Public awareness campaigns should be started at schools, colleges, universities, and the community level to address the significance of safe drinking water. Rural communities should adopt water management practices, including rainwater harvesting, to reduce their water wastage. Local pieces of training should be conducted for improved water storage in houses and simple disinfection technologies of drinking water 62 . Many studies show that boiled drinking water reduces the risk of waterborne diseases 63 , 64 . Socioeconomic conditions, including education, household income, and living style, are correlated to the family's understanding of the importance of the quality of water they intake 65 , 66 . Thus water quality is directly related to the health and well-being of people 61 , 67 .

Conclusions

This study concludes that the groundwater quality, which is the only major source of drinking in the study area (district Peshawar), has decreased in 2019 compared to 2012. Some major factors for this groundwater quality deterioration are urbanization, domestic wastewater discharge, and rising water demand for agriculture and domestic and industrial purposes. As a result, a sharp decline in the drinking water in terms of quality has been observed. More precisely, pH, Conductivity, Calcium, Chloride, Magnesium concentration in groundwater increased mainly near the built-up areas because of wastewater discharge, buildings construction, and other anthropogenic activities like water extraction, industrial activities. Nitrate concentration increased near the agricultural lands because of the excessive utilization of pesticides and fertilizer. As a consequence, water-related diseases were higher in 2019 as compared to 2012.

The introduction of precision agriculture enhances the efficiency of yield production by using a sufficient amount of water. Competent authorities should consider these results and formulates water usage policies and regulations. In the future, different models of neural networks would be used to analyze and monitor the factor or parameters affecting groundwater and surface water pollution. The study is set out to highlight the current groundwater scenario of Peshawar for sustainable water resources management.

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Ahmad, W., Iqbal, J., Nasir, M.J. et al. Impact of land use/land cover changes on water quality and human health in district Peshawar Pakistan. Sci Rep 11 , 16526 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96075-3

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Spatial Variations of the Activity of 137 Cs and the Contents of Heavy Metals and Petroleum Products in the Polluted Soils of the City of Elektrostal

• DEGRADATION, REHABILITATION, AND CONSERVATION OF SOILS
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• Published: 15 June 2022
• Volume 55 , pages 840–848, ( 2022 )

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• D. N. Lipatov 1 ,
• V. A. Varachenkov 1 ,
• D. V. Manakhov 1 ,
• M. M. Karpukhin 1 &
• S. V. Mamikhin 1  

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The levels of specific activity of 137 Cs and the contents of mobile forms (1 M ammonium acetate extraction) of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb) and petroleum products were studied in the upper soil horizon of urban landscapes of the city of Elektrostal under conditions of local radioactive and chemical contamination were studied. In the soils within a short radius (0–100 m) around the heavy engineering plant, the specific activity of 137 Cs and the contents of mobile forms of Pb, Cu, and Zn were increased. The lognormal distribution law of 137 Cs was found in the upper (0–10 cm) soil layer; five years after the radiation accident, the specific activity of 137 Cs varied from 6 to 4238 Bq/kg. The coefficients of variation increased with an increase in the degree of soil contamination in the following sequence: Co < Ni < petroleum products < Cr < 137 Cs < Zn < Pb < Cu ranging from 50 to 435%. Statistically significant direct correlation was found between the specific activity of 137 Cs and the contents of mobile forms of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the upper horizon of urban soils, and this fact indicated the spatial conjugacy of local spots of radioactive and polymetallic contamination in the studied area. It was shown that the specific activity of 137 Cs, as well as the content of heavy metals and petroleum products in the upper layer (0–10 cm) of the soils disturbed in the course of decontamination, earthwork and reclamation is reduced.

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INTRODUCTION

Contaminants migrate and accumulate in urban ecosystems under the impact of both natural and technogenic factors. The processes of technogenic migration of 137 Cs are most pronounced in radioactively contaminated territories. It was found in urboecological studies that the intensity of sedimentation of aerosol particles containing radionuclides and heavy metals is determined by the types of the surfaces of roofs, walls, roads, lawns, and parks and by their position within the urban wind field [ 12 , 26 ]. Traffic in the cities results in significant transport of dust and associated contaminants and radionuclides [ 15 , 24 ]. During decontamination measures in the areas of Chernobyl radioactive trace, not only the decrease in the level of contamination but also the possibility of secondary radioactive contamination because of the transportation of contaminated soil particles by wind or water, or anthropogenic transfer of transferring of ground were observed [ 5 , 6 ]. Rainstorm runoff and hydrological transport of dissolved and colloidal forms of 137 Cs can result in the accumulation of this radionuclide in meso- and microdepressions, where sedimentation takes place [ 10 , 16 ]. Different spatial distribution patterns of 137 Cs in soils of particular urban landscapes were found in the city of Ozersk near the nuclear fuel cycle works [ 17 ]. Natural character of 137 Cs migration in soils of Moscow forest-parks and a decrease in its specific activity in industrial areas have been revealed [ 10 ]. Determination of the mean level and parameters of spatial variations of 137 Cs in soils is one of primary tasks of radioecological monitoring of cities, including both unpolluted (background) and contaminated territories.

Emissions and discharges from numerous sources of contamination can cause the accumulation of a wide range of toxicants in urban soils: heavy metals (HMs), oil products (OPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other chemical substances. Soil contamination by several groups of toxicants is often observed in urban landscapes [ 20 , 23 ] because of the common contamination source or close pathways of the migration of different contaminants. A comprehensive analysis of contamination of urban soils by radionuclides and heavy metals has been performed in some studies [ 21 , 25 ]. The determination of possible spatial interrelationships between radioactive and chemical contaminations in urban soils is an important problem in urban ecology.

A radiation accident took place in the Elektrostal heavy engineering works (EHEW) in April 2013: a capacious source of 137 Cs entered the smelt furnace, and emission of radioactive aerosols from the aerating duct into the urban environment took place. The activity of molten source was estimated at about 1000–7000 Ci [ 14 ]. The area of contamination in the territory of the plant reached 7500 m 2 . However, radioactive aerosols affected a much larger area around the EHEW, including Krasnaya and Pervomaiskaya streets, and reached Lenin Prospect.

Geochemical evaluation of contamination of the upper soil horizon in the city of Elektrostal was carried out in 1989–1991. This survey indicated the anomalies of concentrations of wolfram, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and other heavy metals related to accumulation of alloying constituent and impurities of non-ferrous metals in the emissions of steelmaking works [ 19 ].

The aim of our work was to determine the levels of specific activity of 137 Cs, concentrations of mobile forms of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, and Pb) and oil products in the upper soil horizons in different urban landscapes of the city of Elektrostal under the conditions of local radioactive and chemical contamination.

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Lipatov, D.N., Varachenkov, V.A., Manakhov, D.V. et al. Spatial Variations of the Activity of 137 Cs and the Contents of Heavy Metals and Petroleum Products in the Polluted Soils of the City of Elektrostal. Eurasian Soil Sc. 55 , 840–848 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229322060072

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261 Pollution Essay Topics & Essay Examples

The problem of environmental pollution is one of the main subjects for discussion worldwide. Manufacturing, carbon emissions, plastic, etc., have an adverse impact on air, water, and soil entire the world. That is why it is crucial to understand the problem and develop solutions to mitigate our negative effects on Earth.

In this article, you will find interesting research questions about pollution, ideas for your argumentative and persuasive papers, and essay examples to inspire.

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💡 8 Tips for Writing Essays on Pollution

🏆 best pollution topic ideas & essay examples, 🥇 captivating pollution research topics, 🌩️ shocking pollution essay examples and topic ideas, 🎓 simple & easy topics related to pollution, ✅ most interesting pollution topics to write about, ✍️ pollution essay topics for college, ❓ research questions about pollution.

There is a rising interest in ecological awareness and an overall building desire to move towards sustainable living within society. Thus, a pollution essay requires much more than merely outlining cause and effect occurrences.

Tackling a topic that should be both conscientious and demanding may be a difficult task, but with these few tips below, you can quickly address all pollution essay topics. Here are some ideas on how to make your assigned essay more comfortable to write:

Do your research beforehand. This action will help you start your bibliography, which you should begin by writing down every book and article you hope to use.

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For example, if you are writing about air pollution, then the terms you use may range from “particulate matter” to “hygroscopicity,” depending on the complexity of your essay’s subject.

The pollution essay thesis statement is a guiding line throughout your writing process. Every sentence you write should relate to your central argument and help advance it forward.

From when you start outlining until you write your conclusion and even when revising your draft, you should always ask yourself whether your writing helps you uphold your thesis.

Use credible sources to support your writing. Book and journal titles, research papers, and even interviews with respected scientists are good examples of what you should include in a bibliography.

You may also use pollution essay quotations to demonstrate scientists’ opinions or statistical numbers. When you reference your facts, your readers trust your writing and accept it as credible and truthful, as well as show a good understanding of the subject.

Give your essay an appropriate heading. Your pollution essay titles should clue your readers in on your argument. Using a “talking” title, which explains your subject at a glance, is a useful way of making your essay stand out among others.

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For example, when writing about nonpoint source pollution, you may need to mention its effects on both ocean and forest environments.

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• Nurse Associate’s Role in Air Pollution Prevention This paper analyzes current health promotion strategies in Somerset and the United Kingdom, obstacles to preventative health strategies, health screening programs, the impact of psycho-social, economic, and behavioral factors, epidemiology and genomics, vaccination and immunization […]
• Graveyard Ship Pollution in Kuwait The main legal issue of this case is the collision of two ships that led to the killing of millions of people and the dumping of waste along the sea.
• Environmental Pollution and Human Health The effects of sprawl on health workers are discussed in the article by Pohanka. It is similarly essential to take social justice and fairness into account because the effects of sprawl on population health are […]
• The Ecogeographical Impact of Air Pollution The weakness of the text is that the safety of NPs and their probable toxic effects on human health and the environment are not evaluated.
• Water Pollution as a Crime Against the Environment In particular, water pollution is a widespread crime against the environment, even though it is a severe felony that can result in harm to many people and vast territories.
• Carbon Offsets: Combatting Environmental Pollution I think that using other organizations or projects to offset an entity’s carbon footprint avoids the main goal of any present environmental protection efforts sustainability.
• Environmental Pollution: Waste Landfilling and Open Dumping The solution is simple and practical it is necessary to put efforts into further development of hard industries and stop financing the research of the issue that is useless.
• Air Pollution and Impact of Transportation Emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollution, the release of ballast water, aquatic invasive species, and oil and chemical leaks are only some of the environmental problems that marine transportation continues to cause.
• Pollution and Respiratory Disease in Louisiana The United States of America is an industrial powerhouse, a powerful nation that devoted much of its time to the growth and development of the petrochemical industry.
• Air Pollution and Lung Disease To design a study in order to explore the link between lung disease and air pollution, it would be possible to follow a four-step process started by identifying the level or unit of analysis.
• Environmental Justice: Pollution However, the issue of environmental racism transcends national boundaries and is likely to be repeated in other regions of the world.
• Air Pollution in China: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics One of the most acute environmental problems in China is air pollution, which the authorities are trying to solve, but still, many people, factories, and active processes of globalization do not allow environmental programs to […]
• CSR Initiatives in Reducing Pollution and Carbon Emissions in GCC The purpose of this paper is to conduct a literature review evaluating the impact of CSR initiatives in reducing pollution and carbon emissions in GCC and the Middle East.
• The Negative Impact of Soil Pollution The picture does not show where the water is coming from, and that is how to determine whether the pollution is from a non-point source.
• Algae Explosion and Nitrogen Pollution in Lakes One of the most problematic aspects of nitrogen pollution as a form of nutrient pollution in lakes is the algae explosion.
• A Pollution Concern in the Anacostia River In addition, the unending sedimentation affected the river’s ecosystem due to the lack of sunshine, especially at the bottom of the river.
• Air Pollution and Child Health Conducting research, leading scholars, and summarizing the results of their efforts allowed the organization to investigate the numerous ways air pollution damages the human body.
• Environmental Protection: Pollution and Fossil Fuels The term used to describe a combination of oil and petroleum-related businesses, fossil fuel has been continuously cited as being dangerous for the planet.
• Issue of Pollution of Everest A policy that can be put in place by Nepal to address the current state of pollution on Everest is limiting the number of climbers to the mountain. The increase in the number of people […]
• The Impact of Atmospheric Pollution on Human Health and the Environment Atmospheric pollution is a set of environmental problems associated with releasing chemicals and accumulating concentrations of natural gases in the air.
• Air Pollution and Vulnerability to Covid-19 In other words, the findings will be used as one of the key arguments for showing that air pollution is detrimental to both individual and societal health.
• Poor Waste Disposal and Pollution in California For instance, the rapid increase in the number of factories and industries in California has led to more waste products in the state.
• Technical Report Pollution in Cities of Trinidad Many people who live in the environment close to the dumping sites are exposed to the daily combustion of the refuse, coupled with the inhalation of the emissions from the combusted material.
• Cultural Pollution in the Middle East The importance of the cultural patriarchal society suffers the whims of the feminist movement that has underscored the cultural values and roles of women.
• Fundamentals of Air Pollution The components of secondary air pollution include ozone and nitrogen oxides. Smog occurs when “car exhausts are exposed to direct sunlight”.
• The Reduction of Agricultural Nutrient Pollution: Possible Solutions The nutrients that are contained in fertilizer or manure may reach water basins and cause a dramatic increase in the populations of phytoplankton and algae.
• Environmental Factors and Health Promotion: Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution This presentation offers some information about the damage of air pollution and presents a health promotion plan with helpful resources and evidence from research.
• The Perspectives of Pollution for International Business Turning to the society’s role in changing the unsustainable system, the most important part of the discussion is usually dedicated to the role-changing possibility in the governmental structure.
• Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose Water is a crucial element for all known forms of life to be able to live. Groundwater quality is essential for human consumption and social and economic activities.
• Equipment to Monitor Pollution Emissions In assessing the situation, the vital aspects are: the quality of the decision, the commitment of the subordinates, the knowledge of the leader, the structure of the problem, the probability of subordinates’ commitment, sharing the […]
• Global Plastic Pollution Problem and Its Drivers The primary challenge is the production and use of plastic products, which overwhelm the environment’s capacity to withstand. It cannot be burned because of air contamination, and the process of recycling equally results in plastic […]
• Plastic Pollution and Its Consequences Water in vapor form is also a product of combusted carbon-rich molecules and forms part of the hydrosphere from where it is absorbed into the biosphere.
• Newark Water Crisis: Water Pollution Problem The main problem was rooted in the fact that lead levels in the drinking water were highly elevated, which is dangerous and detrimental to the population’s health.
• Pollution Caused by Plastic Materials However, it is important to note that regardless of the many pleasant and appealing uses of plastics, the numerous health problems and dangers presented to the environment are gruesome.
• Pollution and Illegal Dumping in Chilliwack River Chilliwack River Watershed maintenance is under great pressure because of differing use of resources and activity, high demands for growth and recreation, and impacts to quality of water and riparian habitation from different water-use and […]
• Simply Green Products Firm: Pollution Allegations The natural decomposition is the surety that the company to the environmentalist organizations and the citizens. There is considerable proof that the company has been the primary producer of the packaging materials for the orchards […]
• Atmospheric Pollution Constituents A department dealing with the effects of atmospheric pollutants in the vicinity of an industrial complex has established a data table of measurements of a purity index Y on a scale of 0 to 1000 […]
• Air Pollution: The Problem’ Review Indoor pollution and related conditions are a big burden to the already suffering world according to the reports of the world health organization that it’s the 8th most important risk factor and is perceived to […]
• Law, Property Rights, and Air Pollution In the law of torts, ‘harm’ is considered when there is physical invasion to a person there fore in the case there was no violation of this law as the secretary was not harmed by […]
• Air Pollution in Middle East: Saudi Arabia The rate of air pollution in the world has increased gradually since the advent of the industrial revolution in the early 1800s.
• Global Pollution and Climate Change Both of these works address the topic of Global pollution, Global warming, and Climate change, which are relevant to the current situation in the world.
• Health Science: Pollution and Health The spill was apparently a result of the containing dam wall being weak and the ensuing heavy rains rapidly increased the volume of the contents resulting in breaking of the reservoir.
• Point vs. Non-Point Air Pollution To determine the air pollution source of a large smoke stack, one has to assess the physical characteristics of the smoke; description of the color concentration intensity is it grey or extremely dark?
• Noise Pollution: Best Practicable Means Magistrates’ Court identified Statutory Nuisance in the case and forwarded an abatement order against respondents along with a huge fine for their misconduct that led to noise pollution.
• Public Policy Issue: Particle Pollution in Chicago Metropolitan Area The Chicago metropolitan area has been mentioned quite a number of times in American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2008, an annual report that grades the quality of the air across the different cities […]
• Noise Pollution: Environmental Issue in Lagos, Nigeria The aim of the study would be to understand and evaluate the amount of noise pollution in Lagos, Nigeria and its affects on public health.
• Air Pollution and Health Issues in the US The industry of health care is closely connected to the industrial activities sector, which has the largest impact on the atmosphere through polluting the air, soil, and waters.
• Thames Water Company’s Pollution Issue and Ecocentrism Fines can be treated as a strong solution to this issue even though it is not presupposed by the ethical theory discussed, as they ensure that some funds can be spent on protecting the environment.
• Air Pollution Externalities and Possible Solutions In order to fully integrate public utility, power generation, policy and use of nuclear power in light of the growing concerns on the depletion of natural forms of energy as well as degradation of the […]
• Industrial Pollution in China and USA The pollution of world’s environment with industrial wastes is highly intensified and according to the authors’ opinion the scientific approach is the most significant and useful tool for the purpose of quick resolving of this […]
• Air Pollution and Ecological Perspectives of the Atmosphere The major contributors to CO2, one of the main pollutants in the atmosphere, are the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
• Pollution Is a Consistent Demolition of the Earth Pollution means the introduction into the environment of substances or energy that is liable to cause hazards to human health, harm to living resources and ecological systems, damage to structure or interfere with the legitimate […]
• Air Pollution and Its World History From the times of industrial revolution, smoke pollution was a concern and continues to be one with vehicles and industries replacing coal and wood.
• Water Pollution in a Community: Mitigation Plan Though for the fact that planet earth is abundant with water and almost two-thirds of the planet is made up of water still it is viewed that in future years, a shortage of water may […]
• The Influence of Global Warming and Pollution on the Environment This essay is going to address global warming from a psychological point of view with an emphasis on the psychological and social reasons that make it important to tackle this problem which is threatening the […]
• Atmospheric Chemistry – Pollution Ozone, a photochemical pollutant, is formed by the oxidation of explosive organic compounds in the presence of sunlight and oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere.
• Construction Technology and Air Pollution Hot-list section has new and transferable technology and highlights the features that appeal to construction companies, specifies and designers, owners of the building and end users.
• As China Roars, Pollution Reaches Deadly Extremes The idea is to harness the excess waters of the Yangtze River to replenish the Yellow River which perennially suffers from lack of water and the formation of silt.
• Pollution Control Policy: Glodal Issues Global warming poses a great problem for the global biosphere since it affects the habitat of most of the natural occupants of the global hemisphere.
• Earth’s Atmosphere and Natural Pollution The stratosphere is the next layer of the atmosphere and is from that 7 17 km range to about 30 km above the earth’s surface.
• Atmospheric Pollution and Global Warming Green forests help in soaking the suspended particles in the air and thus clean the air for all of us to breathe.
• Recurrent Pollution of the Tisza River of Hungary The Tisza basin is located almost precisely in the geographical center of Europe and crosses the near-future boundary of the European Union.
• Marine Pollution: Management and International Legislation Marine environment refers to: the physical, chemical, geological and biological components, conditions and factors which interact and determine the productivity of, state, condition and quality of the marine ecosystem, the waters of the seas and […]
• Marine Pollution: Sources, Types, Pathways, and Status By examining sources, types, pathways, and status of water contamination in the context of the World Ocean, it is clear that most marine pollution caused by human actions, especially the mismanagement of plastic debris.
• The Public Perceptions of Air Pollution and Related Policies in London The primary questions for consideration are the public perceptions of air pollution and related policies in London and other cities of the United Kingdom, previous surveys regarding existing policies related to the environment or air […]
• Concerns of Ocean Ecosystem Pollution The range of adverse outcomes for ocean ecosystems can be discussed in volumes; however, the current discussion will focus on trash in the ocean waters, acidification, and the disruption of the marine life cycles.
• Food Distribution and Water Pollution Therefore, food distribution is one of the central reasons for water pollution. According to Greenpeace, one of the ways to improve the ecology of the planet is by creating healthy food markets.
• How China Cuts Its Air Pollution 5, which is the smallest and one of the most harmful polluting particles, were 54 percent lower in the last quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016, specifically in Beijing.
• Haze Pollution in China One of the outstanding aspects of pollution in the country is that the Chinese are highly desensitized and aware of issues surrounding this matter.
• Pollution and Federal Environmental Policy Pollution continues to influence the flora and the fauna of the United States, as well as people in urban and even rural areas.
• Plastic Pollution and Social Institutions The purpose of this paper is to investigate the political and economic barriers that hamper the efforts to reduce plastic pollution and discuss the ways in how they could be overcome.
• Social Activism Against Plastic Pollution Of the 30 million tons of plastic waste in the United States in 2009, only 7% were sent for recycling, which primarily damages marine life.
• Climate Change: Reducing Industrial Air Pollution One of the most effective measures of air quality in the USA is the Air Quality Index, which estimates air conditions by concentrations of such pollutants as particle solution, nitrogen and sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, […]
• Pollution as a Social Issue and Mass Media’s Role The reason why plastic pollution gained traction only during the 21st century is directly connected to the invention of the Internet and the technological advances in electronics.
• Environmental Ethics. Optimal Pollution: Reality or Myth? The effects of globalization and environmental change have caused the resurgence of environmentalism, yet the necessity to sustain industries and the global economy invalidates the idea of a pollution-free environment.
• Environmental Pollution and Contamination The rains are known to corrode marble and metals, cause respiratory diseases in human beings and increase the acidity of the soil.
• Low Pollution Car Engine The following is a discussion on the introduction of the low pollution car engine and its benefits to the UAE. In addition, pollution and climate change will be a thing of the past.
• Chemistry: Environmental Pollution in Hungary The acidification of water bodies leads to the death of numerous species that are susceptible to the presence of acid. Part of the problem is caused by the fact that Hungary is currently forced to […]
• Environmental Pollution Analysis The author explains that the damaging alterations have become possible due to the use of a large number of pesticides in the area.
• Coal Pollution in China as an Environmental Problem Thesis: Coal pollution in China has been a significant cause of environmental pollution-China being one of the largest coal producers in the world- therefore, necessitating the development of appropriate measures to reduce its severity.
• Air Pollution, Its Constituents and Health Effects The National Ambient Air Quality Standards are the regulations or policies that are adopted by states to ensure the safety of the environment.
• The Deepwater Horizon Oil Platform Pollution The oil spillage in the sea can result to the death of sea animals as well as plants that thrive in the water because of the dangerous chemicals that are contained in the oil.
• Air Pollution in the United Arab Emirates’ Cities In the article called Evaluating the Potential Impact of Global Warming on the UAE Residential Buildings, the author focuses on the negative consequences of global warming on the situation in the United Arab Emirates.
• Advanced Pollution Prevention in the United States In the United States, the overview of the previous legislation shows that the government used to enforce measures that would deal with pollution control which occurred at the final stage of production processes. The Pollution […]
• Climate Change, Air Pollution, Soil Degradation Then followed by outdoor air pollution, soil degradation which can also be called as soil contamination, global overpopulation, drinking water pollution, nuclear waste build-up, disappearing of the water supplies, indoor air pollution, depletion of the […]
• China Shenhua Energy Company: Pollution Reducing Although the Chinese government recognized the issue of pollution and announced a course for liberalization of the economy and a greater emphasis on ecology during the 12th 5-year plan, the transformation from a coal-based energy […]
• Air Pollution in Washington State and Healthy Living of People The problem of air pollution is closely related to the issue of the energy supply of the US. Due to the high level of air pollution in Washington state, there is a growing threat to […]
• Environmental Pollution in the Petroleum Industry At the same time, it threatens nature and creates many long-term issues related to pollution of air, soil, water, the weakening of the ozone layer, and the facilitation of the greenhouse gas effect.
• Air Pollution as a Factor for Renal Cancer Therefore, to prevent renal cancer, it is crucial to examine the primary causes and look for better strategies to curb the issue.
• Podocnemis Lewyana: Habitat Loss, Overfishing and Pollution The second factor is overhunting, which in the case of Magdalena River Turtle leads to the inability of these animals to locate food.
• Pollution in the San Francisco Bay The rivers provide fresh water for domestic use to many civilians, and it is apparent that the authorities have given the power plant the freedom to test the quantity of chemicals in the waste water.
• Indoor Air Pollution: The Silent Killer in Rural India The video “Indoor air pollution: The silent killer” discusses the detrimental impact of indoor air pollution in rural Indian households on people’s health. The problem of indoor air pollution is rather significant, and people should […]
• Water Pollution and Associated Health Risks The results of plenty of studies indicate the existence of the relation between the contamination of water by hazardous chemicals and the development of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, asthma, allergies, as well as reproductive […]
• Air Pollution and China’s Governmental Measures The consequences of air pollution in China are already becoming evident, and not only they are the reason for environmental problems, but also they have a significant influence on the health of Chinese people living […]
• Lake Erie Water Pollution There are worries among the members of the community that the lake could be facing another episode of high toxicity, and they have called for the authorities to investigate the main causes of the pollution […]
• Environmental Pollution and Green Policies Although various scholars are of the view that green technology reduces the level of pollution, adequate research on the use of this form of technology needs to be conducted so as to fully contain environmental […]
• Air Pollution in Beijing and the Decision-Making Bias Severe air pollution in Beijing did not become a subject of worldwide concern and discussion until the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which brought the issue to the attention of the global public due to the immense […]
• “Fort McMurray Fires Cause Air Pollution” by McDiarmid As a rule, the air in Canada is clean and rich in oxygen; however, when the wildfire burst, it affected the ozone layer to a significant degree.
• Air Pollution as the Trigger of the Ecological Catastrophe The key data collection tool is a survey that is targeted at determining the main factors of air pollution, finding out the social opinion regarding the quality of air in different cities, and estimating the […]
• Agricultural Nutrient Pollution and Its Reduction The solutions that have been proposed for the issue are varied: there is the possibility of upgrading farms with the help of better technologies, controlling the use of fertilizers and waste discharge with the help […]
• Air Pollution in Beijing and Its Effects on Society It is worth noting that different regions/countries/cities in the world have different levels of air pollution depending on the intensity/presence of causing agents and the techniques applied in dealing with air pollution.
• Water & Air Pollution and Health Issues in Brazil The main environmental effects of pollution include the destruction of marine habitats, water scarcity, and anoxia. The conclusion is informative because the writer includes strategies to alleviate the problem of air and water pollution in […]
• Air Pollution and Respiratory Illnesses in Nigeria The purpose of the article presented was to test the relationship of the respiratory system illness and air pollution in developing countries, especially in Africa.
• Air Pollution Impact on Children’s Health in the US In these parts of the country, the level of air pollution is much higher. Nevertheless, the growing number of vehicles in the United States contributes to air pollution.
• Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Health Effects It emphasizes the fact that air contamination has a negative influence on the health of the representatives of the general public.
• Nebraska Pollution Prevention Project The article is about Nebraska’s Partners in Pollution Prevention program and the benefits it has brought to the state in the reduction of pollution caused by small businesses.
• Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan All players need to be trained in significant areas of business so as they can handle them with care and beware of the potential they have in causing damage.
• Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control Although water pollution can hardly be ceased entirely, the current rates of water pollution can be reduced by resorting to the sustainable principle of water use in both the industrial area and the realm of […]
• Economic View on Water and Pollution Some of the water is found in the continents’ rivers, lakes and in the subsurface. This research tries to explain the importance of water especially in an economist’s perspective by explaining the uses of water […]
• Air Pollution in Los Angeles The escalation of congestion in the city has worsened the problem of air pollution because of the volume of unhealthy air emitted in the atmosphere.
• Noise Pollution: Urban Traffic Noise
• Environmental Revolution: Air Pollution in China
• Pollution & Climate Change as Environmental Risks
• The Knoxville City’s Environmental Pollution
• Aviation’s Environmental Impact and Pollution
• Environmental Behavior and Air Pollution in Ohio
• Water Pollution and Management in the UAE
• Pollution of the Ganges and Its Main Factors
• Pollution Externalities Role in Management Economics
• Marine Pollution and the Anthropogenic Effects Upon It
• The New York City Air Pollution
• Air Pollution Effects on the Health and Environment
• Dealing With Air Pollution
• Acid Rain and Ozone Pollution
• Environmental Justice and Air Pollution in Canada
• Environment Destruction: Pollution
• Big Coal and the Natural Environment Pollution
• Principles of Air Pollution Control and Analysis
• New York City Air Pollution Problem
• China’s Air Pollution Problem
• Hudson River Pollution Concerns
• Pollution and Human Health
• Business and Pollution Inequality in Poor States
• China’s Air Pollution Is Not Unique
• Water Pollution and Its Challenges
• Air Pollution: Human Influence on Environment
• Kuwait’s Desert Pollution
• Water Pollution Sources, Effects and Control
• Issues in Non-Point Source Pollution
• Air Pollution Sources in Houston
• Pollution Prevention in the Industrial Production
• Pollution Caused by Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Means to Prevent It
• Air Pollution: Public Health Impact
• Solutions to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Watershed Pollution Problem
• Economic Impact of Industrial Pollution in China
• Environmental Impacts of Air Pollution
• Pollution in Beijing, China
• Automobile Pollution in the US
• Chloramine in Drinking Water: When the Threat of Pollution Emerges
• How Mechanical Engineering Used to Prevent and Fix Oil Pollution
• Technologies for Reduction of Automobile Pollution
• “Water and Pollution” Class Game
• How Bad Pollution Is in the Arab World
• Water in Crisis: Public Health Concerns in Africa
• Does Air Pollution in Schools Influence Student Performance?
• Regulation and Management of Haze Pollution in Canada
• Air Pollution Characteristics and Effect
• Impact of Blowing Drums on Air Pollution
• The System for Pollution Offsets
• The Nature of Nonpoint Pollution Control Problem
• Air and Water Pollution
• Health Hazard of Noise Pollution
• Fossil Fuels Subsidies and the Impact of Pollution on Health and Lifetime Earnings
• Causes of Water Pollution and the Present Environmental Solution
• Water Pollution & Diseases (Undeveloped Nations)
• Environmental Pollution in Canada
• The Impact of Industrial Pollution on the Environment
• Water and Water Pollution in Point of Economics’ View
• Environmental Justice Issues Affecting African Americans: Water Pollution
• Plastic Ocean Pollution on Ocean Life in U.S.
• Air Pollution Effects on the Health in China
• Air Pollution and Health Policy in China
• The Pollution Within: Foreign Substances in the Human Body
• Air Pollution and Its Consequences
• Four Marketing Practices That Cause Noise Pollution
• Water Pollution and Wind Energy
• Air Pollution by Automobiles
• Air and Water Pollution in Los Angeles
• Tehran Chokes and Blames Severe Pollution on US Sanctions
• Water Pollution Causes and Climate Impacts
• The Case of PBC Pollution in Hudson River
• Preposition 23: Suspension of Air Pollution Control Act
• Climate and Air Pollution
• Urban Pollution – Many Long Years Ago
• Water Pollution Origins and Ways of Resolving
• Can Pollution Rights Trading Effectively Control Environmental Problems?
• Mud Lick Creek Project – Fresh Water Pollution
• A Discussion of Air Pollution & Related Health Implications on the Community
• Car Pollution in Moscow
• What Causes Air Pollution and What Effect Does It Have on People?
• Why Air Pollution Can Harm the Environment Dramatically?
• What Are the Sources of Air Pollution?
• Does Air Pollution Affect Health and Medical Insurance Cost in the Elderly?
• What Are the Causes and Effects of Water Pollution in Lake Huron?
• What Causes Water Pollution and Its Effects?
• What Can the Public Do to Curb Pollution?
• Will COVID-19 Containment and Treatment Measures Drive Shifts in Marine Litter Pollution?
• Does Inequality Matter Air Pollution and Health Relationship?
• Why Environmental Management May Yield No-Regret Pollution Abatement Options?
• How Can Be Organised Curbing Environmental Pollution Through Recycling?
• What Will the Effects Be if We Don’t Stop Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans?
• Does Air Pollution Crowd Out Foreign Direct Investment Inflows?
• Does Off-Farm Employment Contribute to Agriculture-Based Environmental Pollution?
• Does Environmental Pollution Affect Metropolitan Housing Prices?
• Does Financial Instability Increase Environmental Pollution in Pakistan?
• What Are the Leading Factors of Water Pollution Around the World?
• What King of Cost-Effective Control Strategies for Energy-Related Transboundary Air Pollution in Western Europe?
• Which Firms Are More Sensitive to Public Disclosure Schemes for Pollution Control?
• What Are the Kinds of Water Pollution?
• Does Air Pollution Affect Consumption Behavior?
• What Are the Causes and Effects of Water Pollution?
• Does Animal Feeding Operation Pollution Hurt Public Health?
• Does Industry Self-Regulation Reduce Pollution?
• Will Pollution Free Cars Become a Reality of the Near Future?
• Who Pays for Industrial Pollution Abatement?
• Does Trade Promote Environmental Coordination of Pollution in International Rivers?
• Who Suffers From Indoor Air Pollution?
• What Are the Main Ways to Reduce Pollution?
• What Causes Haze Pollution?
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Essay on Land Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on land pollution.

The various human activities and also natural factors are the various causes of land pollution. Besides, some of the causes of land pollution are the use of pesticides , agricultural and industrial waste , deforestation , growing urbanization , acid rains, and mining activities. Furthermore, these activities not only cause damage to the soil but also the reason for various human and animal infections and diseases.

Ways to Limit land Pollution

This harmful pollution is on the rise of its all-time maximum. The government and organizations are working at their level best to minimize this pollution. But it is necessary that we should also contribute to it. In addition, making some small changes in our daily life we can lower the amount of land pollution from the environment. Besides, here we are going to discuss some ways by which we can minimize land pollution .

Use biodegradable products instead of non-biodegradable, as they are easy to dispose of and are pretty much safe for the environment. Also, start-using food that is pesticides and fertilizers free as their usage increases the farmers will reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in their fields.

Besides, if you have a garden or enough space in your home then start growing your own organic fruits and vegetables. In addition, avoid packing of things as most of these things are made from non-biodegradable materials that take hundreds of years to dispose of.

The government has banned the use of polybags but still, people are using them. Furthermore, these polybags are one of the major contributors to land pollution. It is also recommended that things made from plastic should be avoided. Researches have proved that using things made of plastic causes cancer in humans.

Instead of plastic use paper bags for shopping because they are reusable. But, cloth bags are more convenient as they can be washed and used many times.

Separate the wet and dry waste and for assuring this, the government has put green and blue dustbins all over the city. So, that waste can be easily treated according to their nature.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Causes for Land Pollution

Land pollution is the cause of many different factors that ultimately pollute the land. These factors include solid waste, deforestation, chemical, and agricultural activities. Many of these cause a bad affect on the environment. Solid waste mostly made up of products that are non-biodegradable and these are hard to dispose of. Deforestation causes the loss of the topmost fertile layer of soil that is essential for the growth of plants and trees. Chemicals are hard in nature and difficult to dispose of. Besides, the solid waste of pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers are either thrown in landfills or at other places. These wastes create another type of land pollution. In addition, agricultural activities use a high amount of chemical products that not only harm the food crop but also the land. Furthermore, these cause other pollution too.

In conclusion, land pollution can only be controlled if with the government we also contribute to it. And our contribution requires us to use fewer amounts of products that cause land pollution. Also, we should make it our duty to sort out the waste and avoid the usage of non-biodegradable products .

FAQs about Essay on Land Pollution

Q.1 Name some soil or land pollutants?

A.1 Some soil or land pollutants are chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers, mining activity, use of plastic, deforestation, growing urbanization, and industrial waste.

Q.2 How can we control land pollution?

A.2 We can control land pollution by various methods. These methods include avoiding plastic bags, separation of household waste, stopping the use of fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural produce, and many more.

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