Environment & Ecology
Soil Pollution
Soil Pollution articles for UPSC exam preparation under Environment & Ecology.
4 articles in this topic
Articles on Soil Pollution
Soil Health Impacted By Climate Change and Fertilizer Imbalance: ICAR Study
Context Recently, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has revealed alarming evidence that unscientific fertilizer use and climate change are causing significant degradation of organic carbon in India’s arable soils. Key Findings Unbalanced Fertiliser Use: The study found that imbalanced and excessive fertiliser use—particularly of urea and phosphorus—has degraded soil carbon levels. Haryana, Punjab, and Western Uttar Pradesh showed the most severe declines due to intensive, unscie
Heavy Metals Contamination
Context A recent study, published in Environmental Earth Sciences, reveals alarming levels of heavy metal contamination in fish species of Cauvery River, posing serious risks to ecosystems and public health. About the Heavy Metals These are naturally occurring elements with high atomic weights and densities. While some like iron and zinc are essential in trace amounts, others such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium are toxic even at low concentrations.
CSE Assessment Finds Indian Soils Severely Deficient in Key Nutrients
Context Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) analysis of government data finds 64% of Indian soil samples low in nitrogen and nearly half low in organic carbon. Major Findings India’s soils are severely deficient in essential nutrients such as nitrogen and organic carbon. These deficiencies have serious implications for both crop productivity and climate change mitigation.
Agricultural Land Contaminated by Toxic Heavy Metal Pollution
Context A new study has revealed that soil pollution from toxic heavy metals and metalloids is significantly reducing crop yields and contaminating food supplies across the globe. Key highlights The research found that between 14 percent and 17 percent of the world’s agricultural soils (About 242 million hectares) exceed safe thresholds for at least one hazardous metal. This contamination affects an estimated 900 million to 1.4 billion people living in high-risk regions.