CHAPTER 2

Review Related Literature

Land Pollution

By: Chris Woodford

Last updated: February 5, 2017.

Source: http://www.explainthatstuff.com/land-pollution.html

With luck and the right atmospheric conditions, air and water pollution disperse
and disappear. What makes land pollution such a problem is that land is static, so land
pollution stays exactly where it is until and unless someone cleans it up. Land that's
polluted stays polluted; land that's urbanized almost invariably stays urbanized. As we've
already see, plastics take hundreds of years to disappear while radiation can contaminate
land for ten times longer. That means landfill sites and radioactive waste dumps remain
that way pretty much indefinitely.

The simplest effect of land pollution is that it takes land out of circulation. The
more land we use up, the less we have remaining. That might not sound a problem where
there's plenty of land in rural areas, but it's certainly a concern where productive
agricultural land is concerned, especially as the world's population continues to increase.
The biggest problem comes when contaminated land is returned to use, either as building
or agricultural land. Houses might be built on brownfield (former industrial) sites that
haven't been cleaned up properly, putting future owners and their families at risk. Or
people might get their water from rivers supplied by groundwater contaminated by
landfill sites, mine workings, or otherwise polluted land some distance away. Illnesses
such as cancer develop over years or decades for a variety of reasons and it's extremely
difficult to prove that they've been caused by something like local environmental
pollution, especially when people move homes during their lifetime. No-one knows how
much land is contaminated, how contamination varies from one place to another, or how
land contaminants react with one another once they enter watercourses and become water
pollution. So the scale of the problem and its ultimate effects are impossible to determine.

However, we do know what effect individual pollutants have. We know, for

example, that lead is a toxic heavy metal that has all kinds of unpleasant effects on human
health; it's been implicated in developmental deficits (such as reductions in intelligence)
in children . We know that some chemicals are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) while
others cause congenital defects such as heart disease . At the very least, it seems prudent
not to introduce dangerous chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants, into the
environment where they may mat harm people's health for many years into the future.

Synthesis:
 Land pollution is a big problem to our society . Humans are one of the cause of it.
More land we use, the less land we have. Plastic are part of our lives. We use it every day
and every were that connects in our problems, Improper waste disposal is a due to
incorrect removal of trash in our houses and throwing of trash on streets which is
collected by other humans. To dispose it, sometimes they burn it. That can affect people
In having illnesses. Chemical content present in trashes can affect also humans mostly in
having cancer. Toxic heavy metals also harmful to our lives.
Effects of land-use change on vascular epiphyte diversity in Sumatra (Indonesia)
Tim Böhnert, Arne Wenzel, Christian Altenhövel, Lukas Beeretz, Sri Sudarmiyati
Tjitrosoedirdjo, Ana Meijide , Katja Rembold, Holger Kreft

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320716303111
Land-use change is the main driver of biodiversity loss in the tropics worldwide.
Lowland rainforest regions in Southeast Asia are experiencing particularly high rates of
large-scale conversion of forests and agroforests into monocultural tree plantations
including oil palm and rubber with devastating effects on forest-dependent species.
Canopy-dwelling organisms such as epiphytes are expected to be particularly susceptible
to changes in land use, vegetation structure, and microclimate but the consequences of
these changes are only poorly known for this plant group in Southeast Asia. We
investigated the diversity of vascular epiphytes in four major land-use systems in Jambi
Province (Sumatra, Indonesia). Epiphyte communities were sampled in 120 20 × 20 m
plots in Bukit Duabelas National Park (lowland rainforest) and in surrounding jungle
rubber agroforests as well as in rubber and oil palm plantations owned by smallholders.
At plot level, lowland rainforest, jungle rubber, and oil palm were statistically
indistinguishable in terms of richness, diversity, and evenness but had significantly higher
values than rubber. Oil palm plantations had the highest epiphyte abundance, but lowest
total species number of all systems. Furthermore, oil palm had distinct, fern-dominated
epiphyte communities that differed significantly from the other systems. In conclusion,
the value of monocultural tree plantations of oil palms and rubber trees for epiphyte
conservation is very low. Jungle rubber, an extensively managed yet vanishing system,
represents a refuge for epiphytes and could play a vital role in conserving epiphyte
diversity, especially of ferns and orchids. Non-orchid angiosperms, however, mainly
occurred in forest and are thus most threatened by forest conversion. ©

Synthesis:
In this case study, the authors investigated the effects of land-use change and
intensification on vascular epiphyte diversity in Sumatran lowland rainforest and three
regionally important agricultural systems: jungle rubber agroforests, rubber plantations,
and oil palm plantations. They also hypothesized that (1) epiphyte diversity is higher in
forest than in agricultural systems; (2) rainforest and jungle rubber comprise epiphyte
communities that are composed of species restricted to one system whereas epiphyte
communities in monocultural plantations consist of more widely distributed habitat
generalists; (3) changes in epiphyte diversity are linked to changes and differences in
microclimatic conditions and host tree characteristics.
The diversity of vascular epiphytes in four major land-use systems in Jambi
Province (Sumatra, Indonesia) has also been investigated. Epiphyte communities were
sampled in 120 20 × 20 m plots in Bukit Duabelas National Park (lowland rainforest) and
in surrounding jungle rubber agroforests as well as in rubber and oil palm plantations
owned by smallholders. They suggest that three main factors are responsible for the lower
epiphyte diversity in plantations: a less favorable and more homogenous microclimate,
the age and characteristics of the host trees, and the removal of epiphytes by plantation
workers.
Maintaining epiphyte diversity in future plantation landscapes in the tropics will
require an effective conservation of the remaining forest reserves as well as an
enrichment of plantations with native forest trees that have the chance to grow tall and
become epiphyte-laden host trees.
 Soil Pollution along Kalwa Bridge at Thane Creek of Maharashtra, India

By: Pravin U. Singare1, Ram S. Lokhande, Pragati P. Pathak

June 2010

Source: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/177155/5/Synt_R_5.pdf

The present investigation deals with the assessment of pollution status along the
wetland of Thane Creek, which has been subjected to a lot of pollution from the Asia’s
biggest Thane—Belapur Industrial Complex located at the south of Mumbai harbor along
the west coast of India. This paper advocates habitat conservation and ecological studies
with special reference to the physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal pollution
in the soil along the creek area. In the present investigation, the pH, electrical
conductivity, bulk density, alkalinity and chlorinity values recorded were observed to be
high during dry seasons and low during rainy season. The soil samples were also
analyzed for their heavy metal contents like nickel, zinc, cadmium, copper, iron, arsenic
and mercury. It was observed that, the concentration of these heavy metals increases
gradually in dry seasons, followed by sharp decrease during rainy season. These heavy
metals have a marked effect on the aquatic flora and fauna which through bio
magnification enter the food chain and ultimately affect the human beings as well.

Synthesis:
The problem faced by the Indian residents is frightening because of the existence
of metal in the ground there. The problem of environmental pollution due to toxic metals
has begun to cause concern now in most major metropolitan cities. The toxic heavy
metals entering the ecosystem may lead to geoaccumulation, bioaccumulation and bio
magnification. Heavy metals like Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and other trace elements are important
for proper functioning of biological systems and their deficiency or excess could lead to a
number of disorders. When there is a problem in the Philippines just like this it will be a
big problem. One of the reasons is that it may affect the farmer’s crops that can cause
contamination of the foods and and waters and it would be a big issue in present days.
Environmental Impact Assessment on Soil Pollution Issue about Human Health

By: Zaware Sandeep Gangadhar (2014)

Source: http://www.isca.in/IJENS/Archive/v3/i11/14.ISCA-IRJEvS-2014-203.pdf
Abstract
Soils are formed by the decomposition of rock and organic matter over many years.
Soil properties vary from place to place with difference in bedrock composition, climate
and other factors. Certain chemical elements occur naturally in soils as components of
minerals, yet may be toxic at some concentration. Other potentially harmful substance
may be end up in soils through human activities. Soil contamination may be responsible
for health effects costing millions of Euros, but studies to quantify the true cost are in
their infancy. Health problems from cancer (Arsenic, Asbestos, Dioxins), to neurological
damage and lower IQ (Lead, Arsenic), kidney disease (Lead, Mercury. Cadmium). Heavy
metals and persistent organic chemical are of particular concern. Human activity
introduces heavy metals (Such as Cd, As, Hg etc) to our soils through mining, smelting,
industry, agriculture and burning fossil fuels.

Synthesis:
Soils are natural occurring on the surface of the earth. On the other hand, soil
pollution is defined as a phenomenon characterized by the loss of structural and
biological properties by the soil layers as a result of numerous human and natural factors,
such as wind, deforestation, chemical use, etc. There are some toxic minerals that
naturally occurs from the soil and there are also soil contamination that is caused by
human activities that may cause health problems to plants, animals and humans. Overall,
agricultural practices and industrial processes could cause environmental pollution and
bad effects on human health.
Characteristics of Soils in the Marginal Uplands of Inopacan, Leyte

Victor B. Asio, Suzette B. Lina, Deejay S. Maranguit, Ariel B. Bolledo, Rizza Josefina T.
Doguiles, Cecille Marie O. Quiñones, Jessie R. Sabijon and Kier Lambert B. Demain

Source: http://annalsoftropicalresearch.com/resources/pdf%20file/Vol.
%2036%20Supplement%20Full%20Paper/1.pdf
Improving the productivity of marginal lands greatly depends on good
understanding of the characteristics of the soils. Published data on the nature and
characteristics of soils in marginal uplands are still limited. This study was conducted to
determine the morphological and physicochemical characteristics of soils in the marginal
upland of Inopacan, Leyte. Five representative soil profiles located in different
physiographic positions were examined and sampled. Results showed that the soils were
derived from volcanic materials particularly andesite and basalt rocks. Well-developed
soils were found on the summit position with the horizon sequence of Ap-Bt-BC while
poorly developed soils occurred on the lower slope positions having Ap-AB-Bw-BC
horizon sequence. Soils were found to be highly acidic with soil pH close to 5.0. Soil
organic matter, total nitrogen and available P were low and decrease with soil depth.
Exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K and Na) were high in most soil profiles. The results
indicate that N and P fertilization as well as organic matter addition are crucial to
increasing the productivity of the marginal upland soils. The marginal nature of the soils
is the result of decades of unsustainable cultivation practices.

Synthesis:
This study revealed that the five soil in the marginal upland studied were derived
from volcanic materials particularly andesite and basalt rocks. In the more stable summit
position, well developed soils were found while the less stable lower slope positions
consists of poorly developed soils. This study also stated that, N and P fertilization as
well as organic matter addition are crucial to increasing the productivity of the marginal
upland soils. It is also indicated that the cause of soil erosion and nutrient depletion
processes is the result of decades of unsustainable cultivation practices.

A review of soil degradation in the Philippines

Victor B. Asio, Reinhold Jahn, Federico O. Perez, Ian A. Navarrete and Sergio M. Abit Jr.

Source: http://www.annalsoftropicalresearch.com/pdf%20file/full%20papers/Asio%20et
%20al.pdf
The paper reviews the available information on soil degradation which is a major
agricultural and environmental problem in the Philippines. Soil erosion appears to be the
most widespread process of soil degradation and is also the most studied. Other important
but less studied soil degradation processes include loss of nutrients and organic matter,
salinization, acidification, pollution, compaction, and subsidence. Studies reviewed have
shown that the widespread degraded upland soils possess chemical and physical
constraints for crop growth like acidic or calcareous chemical condition, low organic
matter and nutrient contents, shallow solum, presence of toxic substances and
compaction. There is a need for more data on the physical and socioeconomic
characteristics of degraded lands to aid in the formulation of appropriate soil management
strategies to support biodiesel production in these unproductive lands which is now being
promoted by the Philippine government.

Synthesis:
Soil degradation is a major ecological problem in the Philippines. Degraded lands are
seen as a major contributor to the frequent occurrence of disastrous floods in certain
provinces and to the poor economic conditions of farmers. Appropriate and sustainable
soil management strategies are needed. However, it requires a detailed knowledge of the
properties and limitations of the degraded soils which until now are limited. The use of
degraded lands for biodiesel production without the appropriate soil management would
cause further soil detoriation and thus aggravate the environmental and ecological
problems that are now occurring. This study confirms that soil erosion is the most
widespread and studied type of soil degradation processes in the Philippines while on the
other types of soil degradation, chemical and physical degradation, very few studies have
been done.

Metro Manila produces a fourth of Philippine garbage

By: Kristine L. Alave

August 16, 2011
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/42317/metro-manila-produces-a-fourth-of-
philippine-garbage
The excesses of “Imperial Manila” seem to stink to high heavens. Residents of
Metro Manila generate so much garbage that they are responsible for one-fourth of the
country’s daily output of solid waste, according to the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR).A single resident produces an average of 0.7 kilogram of
waste a day, about “130 percent higher” than the global average of 0.3 kg per person per
day, said Emy Aguinaldo, executive director of the National Solid Waste Management
Commission, an attached agency of the DENR.Citing records from the Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority, the DENR said Metro Manila produced about 8,400 to
8,600 tons of trash per day.
Synthesis:
We all know that Manila has a big population so we expect that they have a massive
contribution of waste that causes problems in the area. With a population of around 11.5
million, Metro Manila accounts for 13 percent of the nationwide total. Its 636-square
meter urban sprawl covers a mere 0.21 percent of the country’s total land area. If there is
a typhoon and the floods comes the major affected are the people living along the creek
and rivers. Good thing that the government decided to have a program getting them to
practice waste segregation and composting will hopefully not be as difficult as they will
feel the immediate benefits in terms of cleaner and greener surroundings.

The Philippines Country Environmental Analysis: Land Degradation and Rehabilitation in

the Philippines
By: Roehlano M. Briones (2009)

Source:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/0287/a4685653ea136d9673ae17ff2e8dcda8c508.pdf

While the Philippines’ resource endowment can support vast farmlands, the
majority of its land area consist of uplands for which temporary crop cultivation may not
be sustainable. Originally these uplands were forested; with timber extraction, population
expansion, and rapid agricultural growth, came the spread of crop farming by upland
settlers. A growth slowdown came in the 1980s, which was accompanied by stagnant
productivity growth, for which agriculture-related land degradation may have played a
role. Despite apparent market incentives towards diversification, allocation of resources
away from existing cropping patterns has been slow. Protection of the resource base has
become more urgent to sustain yield growth at high levels. Land degradation in the
lowlands is a result of intensive cultivation and can be offset by proper crop management
practices. A more serious problem arises from land degradation in the uplands, which is
primarily the result of soil erosion. The cost of erosion is accounted for mostly by the
depletion in the stock of available soil nutrients. While short term effects of erosion are
negligible, the long term cumulative effect is an irreversible decline in land quality. The
costs of land degradation are even more serious when off-site costs are considered
(though the quantification of impact for off-site costs is far less developed than for on-site
costs). Despite variation in the estimates, and considerable uncertainty about the
degradation parameters, a conservative estimate of the cost of land degradation finds a
large value, comparable at least to the annual investment in research and development of
the public sector. The long term benefit of soil conservation technologies, or shifting
away from erosive land use, is the avoidance of this soil loss. Direct interventions, such
as promotion of soil conserving farm technologies, typically involve investments and
running costs. Some studies indicate that soil conservation technologies are worthwhile
investments based social benefit-cost analysis. However when the credit market is
segmented, farmers set short planning horizons (say under insecure tenure), and face
liquidity constraints, then profit-maximizing farmers may forego these investments.
Meanwhile indirect interventions alter the incentive structure of technology adoption and
land use, which in turn affect the rate of soil erosion. Tenure reform has an ambiguous
effect, while removal of domestic protection of corn has a positive effect on soil
conservation. As upland farmers, including the large population of subsistence corn
growers, are among the poorest segments of the rural population, the analysis suggests
increasing and widening incentives for adoption of soil conservation and permanent tree
crops through extension and improved tenurial measures, while ensuring that trade
adjustment be accompanied by adequate social protection.
Synthesis:
 Land degradation in the lowlands is a result of intensive cultivation and can be
offset by proper crop management practices. In lowland agriculture, intensive cultivation
and high yield accelerates removal of nutrients and alteration of physical and chemical
properties of soil. Sustainability of rice systems have been well-studied: it is possible that
continuous cropping, extensive submergence, and high chemical usage may lead to soil
degradation. A more serious problem arises from land degradation in the uplands, which
is primarily the result of soil erosion. There are upland areas that are originally forested,
but due to population expansion and rapid agricultural growth, many crop farming
settlers came. Degradation occurs through actual removal of the soil, through erosion,
changes in the chemical, biological, and physical endowments of soil, such as nutrient
loss, salinization, acidification, and compaction. Erosion is a natural process from the
action of water and wind, but it can be accelerated by human activity, primarily by land
clearing. Other factors equal, steeper land is more erosion prone. It should be noted that
soil “loss” is a location-specific concept; soil eroded from one area is deposited
elsewhere, and depending on the deposition site, may still be useful for agriculture. To
avoid the long- term soil loss, soil conservation is needed.

Soil Pollution ( BIOLOGY II )

By: Carmelita M. Capco and Gilbert C. Yang
Copyright 2010
 Having previously discussed soil,its layers, and its significance to vegetation, we can
look into the problems pertaining to thr maintenance of soil as it is needed to preserve the
plant and animal populations
1. Depletion of soil minerals- minerals can be exhausted by overpopulation. The
most important lost from soil.
2. Loss of organic matter- Normally the organic matter presented in topsoil decays
slowly as it is acted on by bacteria and other soil organism. However, humans
may disturb this natural balance by planting and harvesting agricultural crops too
frequently, thereby depriving the soil of much organic matter.
3. Erosion- Erosion is a destructive process by which soil is lost through the action
of water and wind.
4. Leaching- When the field is plowed before planting, rains soak into the
pulverized soil easily.

Synthesis:
Soil Pollution is a form of Land pollution, Soil has minerals that is being exhausted
due to over production, Mineral which is important are lost because it became acidic or
sour. Organic matter present on the top soil decays slowly as it acted on by bacteria and
other organism present on soil. Sometimes Humans burn some wood and grasses in the
fields before plowing. This process diminishes the topsoil to the extent that much of the
soil flora dies out. Erosion is a destructive process by which soil is lost the action of
water and wind. This happens due to the poor farming methods. Plowing the field makes
soil pulverized, it is ideal process for young plants but it can also bring problems. The
mineral from the top soil are not dissolved in water so the plants can dissolve it.

Our Geologic Environment

Book by: Harvey Blatt

 Organic Pollution of Soil
The whole topic of pesticides is contentious. They are believed by most
agriculturalists to be necessary to the large-scale agriculture that feeds modern
civilization, but their use brings numerous problems. Each year, thousands of people,
most of them not farmers, are admitted to U.S. hospitals for treatment of pesticide
poisoning. Pesticides should not be used indiscriminately.
Because of their harmful side effects, the use of pesticides in U.S. agriculture
decreased 15 percent from 1982 to 1992. New methods of pest control are emerging; the
buzzword for these techniques is integrated pest management. This refers to a
combination of using hardy plants, rotating crops from field to field, improved plowing
practices, biological controls, minimal use of chemical pesticides and even vacuum
cleaners.

Synthesis:

Organic pollution of soil includes the use of harmful pesticides which can bring
Americans to get admitted to hospitals for treatment of pesticide poisoning. And because
of their dangerous side effects, Americans decreased the use of pesticide and establish
new methods of pest management, these techniques are called integrated pest
management.

Soil and Water Pollution Monitoring. Protection and Remediation

By: Irena Twardowska, Herbert E. Allen and Max. M. Haggblom
 Sorption to particles in soil or sediment determines the immediate biological
availability of chemicals to potentially affected organisms, the dispersions of
contaminants within an ecosystem, and the transport of contaminants to the other
ecosystem
Synthesis:
Sorption is a physical and chemical process by which one substance becomes
attached to another. Sorption plays a role in the assessment of present of future risks to
humans and ecosystems, and often enters into strategic decisions about remediating a
contaminated site.

Elements of Ecology, Global Edition

By: Robert Leo Smith and Thomas M. Smith
May 11, 2015
 Elements of Ecology, Ninth Edition continues to explain ecological processes
clearly and concisely, with a greater emphasis on the relevance of ecology to everyday
life and the human impact on ecosystems. This dramatically revised edition discusses
issues of human ecology throughout the text and provides a greater variety of
opportunities for students to learn, practice, and develop quantitative and analytical skills.
With Elements of Ecology, 9/e you can: Help Students Interpret and Analyze Ecology
Data: New and expanded in-text instruction and practice is provided in Interpreting
Ecological Data figure questions, in-depth Quantifying Ecology boxes, and Analyzing
Ecological Data case studies. Many are expanded and assignable in MasteringBiology.
Keep Your Course Current and Relevant while also keeping students focused on learning
essential concepts: With updated "Field Studies" and research references throughout, the
Ninth Edition also provides a streamlined discussion on metapopulations and integrates
human ecology concepts into all chapters.
Synthesis:
This book is focused on the ecology meaning the political movement that seeks
to protect the environment, especially from pollution. It is also stated the soil formation
or soil property results from the interactions of five interdependent soil forming factors
namely the parent material, climate, biotic factors, topography and time, Because of this
five factors the soil have been severely disturbed over much of the landscape that causes
erosion. Many of the country is stated there that experiencing some natural disasters just
like landslide.

Fundamentals of Ecology: Third Edition

By: Eugene P. Odum (1953)
 LAND USE
When the human population of an area is small, poor land use may affect only the
people who are guilty of bad judgement. As the population increases, however, everyone
suffers when land is improperly used, because everyone eventually pays for rehabilitation
or, as is now too often the case, everyone suffers a permanent loss of resources. Land use
is thus everybody’s business, and the application of ecological principles to land- use
planning is now undoubtedly the most important application environmental science. So
far, good land-use planning has come only after man has first severely damaged a
landscape. It is as Leopold has said: Man does not seem to be able to understand a system
he did not build and, therefore, he seemingly must partially destroy and rebuild before
use limitations are understood.
Out of the human misery created by soil erosion and dust bowls came the soil
conservation movement that is now an outstanding example of a conservation program
because it involves cooperation of local people, their state university, and their state and
Federal governments. Despite past success, the soil conservation profession has tended to
“sit on its laurels” and is failing to move with the times. In other words, the soil
conservation movement in particular, and land management science in general, needs to
go beyond its present rather exclusive farm, range, or forestry orientation to the
consideration of the urban- rural landscape complex where the most pressing problems
now exist.
Land-use planning for the urban areas is now the critical need, it is the deteriorating
quality of the urban and suburban environment rather than the eroding cotton- fields that
threaten the entire social and economic system. Drawing up and implementing good land-
use plans is infinitely more difficult in urban areas than on farms or rural watersheds
because of the tremendous difference in economic value that we now give to different
usages. Successful urban land-use planning (something that has not yet really been
accomplished anywhere) will require much stronger legal, economic, and political basis
than was required for bringing about the reforms of soil conservation.
Without such planning, there could very well be no open space by the year 2000, in
which case we would have the same kind of urban blight, chronic pollution and social
disorder that we now observe in the older, unplanned cities. Thus, planned cities are now
as necessary as planned farms. Society must quickly find a means of applying cybernetic
principles to the urban machine. It is clear that natural area space is a necessary of man's
total environment and land-use planning can be the most effective means of preventing
overpopulation of our own species providing something similar to “territorial” control.

Synthesis:
 As the population increases, there are more land use occurs due to human activities.
Such land use threatens the quality of soil therefore, calls an action for soil conservation.
However, soil conservation needs to go beyond its present. Land- use planning is needed
in urban and suburban areas. Land- use planning can be the most effective solution for
preventing territorial control and lessen the continuous poor land use that results in soil
erosion created by humans.

Land Pollution in the Philippines

By: Melanie Christine Soriano Pascua

Copyright: Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

Land Pollution Comprises Of: Solid Waste and Soil Pollution Solid Waste:
Semisolid or solid matter that are created by human or animal activities, and which are
disposed because they are hazardous or useless are known as solid waste. Most of the
solid wastes, like paper, plastic containers, bottles, cans, and even used cars and
electronic goods are not biodegradable, which means they do not get broken down
through inorganic or organic processes. Thus, when they accumulate they pose a health
threat to people, plus, decaying wastes also attract household pests and result in urban
areas becoming unhealthy, dirty, and unsightly places to reside in. Moreover, it also
causes damage to terrestrial organisms, while also reducing the uses of the land for other,
more useful purposes.

Some of the sources of solid waste that cause land pollution are:

 Wastes from Agriculture: This comprises of waste matter produced by crop,

animal manure, and farm residues.
 Wastes from Mining: Piles of coal refuse and heaps of slag.
 Wastes from Industries: Industrial waste matter that can cause land pollution can
include paints, chemicals, and so on.
 Solids from Sewage Treatment: Wastes that are left over after sewage has been
treated, biomass sludge, and settled solids.
 Ashes: The residual matter that remains after solid fuels are burned.
 Garbage: This comprises of waste matter from food that are decomposable and
other waste matter that are not decomposable such as glass, metal, cloth, plastic,
wood, paper, and so on.

Soil Pollution:
Soil pollution is chiefly caused by chemicals in pesticides, such as poisons that are
used to kill agricultural pests like insects and herbicides that are used to get rid of weeds.
Hence, soil pollution results from:

Synthesis:

Solid waste is non-biodegradable it means that it cannot decay. Solis waste are
from humans and animal’s activities. Sometimes burned off that can cause illnesses to
humans and other living things. Solid waste has various sources. Waste from Crops,
animals and residues. Wastes from mining from Piles of coal refuse and heaps of slag.
Waste from industries like chemicals and paints. Waste from garbage is the most cause of
land pollution like papers, wood, cloth, metals, plastics and glass
The Philippines Environment in the Ecozoic Age: Principles of Environmental
Science in the Philippine Setting

Book by: Angelina P. Galang (2009)

Soil Conservation

Approaches to soil conservation have been greatly modified since the 1970s.
Work used to concentrate on mechanical protection, such as bunds and terraces, largely to
control surface run-off.
This has been supplemented by a new approach which calls for greater attention
to biological methods of conservation and the integration of water conservation with soil
protection, through improved management of soil-plant-water relationships, including
reduced disturbance by tillage.

Synthesis:

Many approaches have been done for soil conservation since 1970s. It used to
concentrate on mechanical protection to control surface run-off and has been
supplemented by an approach which focuses on biological methods of conservation and
integration of water conservation with soil protection.
The Garbage Book

By: Asian Development Bank

Metro Manila is a metropolis in crisis. Due to the forced closure of two primary
disposal facilities, the metropolis has been without any means to adequately and safely
dispose of its garbage. The solid waste management sector requires a massive and urgent
overhaul. Change must come. For most, the garbage crisis is limited to its collection. As
long as the mounds of garbage are removed, it is a problem out of sight and out of mind.
But the crisis continues—environmentally, socially—as an unceasing tidal wave of refuse
overwhelms the metropolis. In the absence of a functional system of waste reduction,
reuse, recycling, and disposal, local governments cope the best they can.
Of the estimated 6,700 tons generated per day, approximately 720 tons per day is
recycled or composted. The balance—some 6,000 tons daily—is either hauled to the
city’s dump sites, dumped illegally on private land, in rivers, creeks, Manila Bay, or
openly burned, adding to the heavily polluted air shed. Thousands of scavengers and
waste pickers live and survive on this waste, eking out a harsh existence on mountains of
smoldering waste. Some are children as young as 5 years old. Taking into account their
families, the hundreds of junk shops and their workers, the thousands of eco-aides, the
thousands of garbage trucks and their crews, and the tens of thousands of slum dwellers
living on, around, and near the dump sites, an estimated 150,000 residents of Metro
Manila know the sight and smell of garbage as an integral part of their daily lives.

Synthesis:

Metro Manila is encountering a crisis. Metro Manila produce the fourth of the
Philippine garbage. Garbage disposal is undoubtedly the main problem of every
municipality in Metro Manila. This has been so for some time now. Due to the Metro
Manila being the center of the country and being so populous.
Introduction to Earth Science

By: Graham R. Thompson and Jonathan Turk (2011)

Whenever soil is lost by the water or wind erosion, the topsoil, the most productive
layer, is the first to be removed. When the topsoil is lost, the soil’s fertility decrease, and
expensive fertilizers must be used to restore that was lost. This causes to raise the cost of
the food we buy. In addition, the movement of excessive amounts of soil from farmland
into streams has several undesirable effects. First, a dirty stream is less aesthetically
pleasing that a clear stream. Second, a stream laden with sediment affects the fish
population. Fishing may be poor because of unwise farming practices hundreds of
kilometers upstream. Third, the soil carried by the river is eventually deposited
somewhere. In many cases, this soil must be removed by dredging to clear shipping
channels. We pay for dredging with our tax money, and it is a very expensive operation.

Synthesis:

Because of these problems, the water, and wind erosion, it also affects the topsoil the
most productive layer of a soil that the soil’s fertility decrease that the farmers need to
buy an expensive fertilizer to restore the lost and because of that the foods we buy is
getting expensive too. However, not all farmers can afford that kind of fertilizers that is
very expensive. But not only will the farmer be affected but also the people who also buy
there their goods.
The Philippines Environment in the Ecozoic Age: Principles of Environmental
Science in the Philippine Setting

Book by: Angelina P. Galang (2009)

Threats to Good Soil

Soil acts as a buffer and filter of pollutants. It plays a major role in the biogeochemical
cycles as well as in the maintenance of biodiversity. Thus, erosion of soils has a major
impact not only on the provision of healthy food but also on environmental quality.
Without humus, the topsoil is easily eroded. Without the buffering effect of humus, the
nitrates and phosphates in chemical fertilizers make the soil acidic as they transform into
nitric and phosphoric acid.
Acid rain, precipitation that turns industrial emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides
into acids, exacerbates soil infertility. As acid rain drips into the soil, it leaches out the
stock of calcium and magnesium, both essential plant nutrients. Once calcium becomes
scarce, the sol acidity will build up.
The low pH releases aluminum from its mineral matrix. Free aluminum in acid
condition is toxic to plants and animals. It damages fine roots, affecting intake of
minerals as well as water from the soil thus, become susceptible to drought. An acid
environment is hostile to many soil microorganisms, hindering their ability to fertilize the
soil through their decomposing and aerating action.
Deforestation is another threat to good soil. Because of the high rate of
evapotranspiration of trees, a forest to some degree creates its own climate. While some
of the water rises high before falling to earth as rain, most of the water vapor condenses
below the canopy and drips back into the soil.
The agricultural practices of the past half century 23% of land used for crops, grazing
or forestry has been degraded due to erosion, acidity, silt build-up or other causes.
Because of the growing population of the world, more cropland with good soil should be
made available. Unfortunately, the reverse is happening.

Synthesis:

It says in the book that the soil acts as a filter of pollutants cause soil erosion that has a
major impact in the health of our environment. The quality and health of the soil could
also be affected by toxic minerals and acid rain as it leaches out the essential plant
nutrients and become susceptible to drought. Another threat to a good soil is
deforestation. Deforestation induces droughts even in humid tropics because of the high
rate of evapotranspiration of trees. These threats could be the factors in causing land or
soil pollution because of its negative impact in the soil and in the environmental quality.
The degradation of soil due to the effects of agricultural practices can’t be avoided
because of the inevitable need for food of the growing human population.