Soil pollution is a global environmental problem that affects human health, biodiversity, and food security. Its origins date back to the beginning of industrialization, when human activity began to significantly alter the natural balance of the soil. This phenomenon intensified with the development of intensive agriculture, the massive use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the growth of urban and industrial areas. The main causes of soil pollution include the improper use of agricultural chemicals, the dumping of industrial and domestic waste, mining, hydrocarbon spills, and poor solid waste management. Toxic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and industrial solvents infiltrate the soil, altering its composition and reducing its regenerative capacity. Globally, this phenomenon manifests itself in various forms, from the degradation of agricultural lands in developing countries to the accumulation of hazardous waste in urban areas of industrialized countries. Furthermore, countries with weaker regulatory capacity face greater risks due to the lack of effective environmental policies. Soil pollution knows no boundaries; pollutants can travel through water or air, affecting distant ecosystems. Therefore, it is essential to adopt global and sustainable approaches to prevent and remedy this problem. International cooperation, environmental education, and the development of clean technologies are key to mitigating its long-term impacts.

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Origins and Causes of Soil Contamination: How This Is a Global Phenomenon

  • José Guadalupe Chan-Quijano,
  • Jesús Ignacio Castro-Salazar,
  • José Luis Carpio-Domínguez

摘要

Soil pollution is a global environmental problem that affects human health, biodiversity, and food security. Its origins date back to the beginning of industrialization, when human activity began to significantly alter the natural balance of the soil. This phenomenon intensified with the development of intensive agriculture, the massive use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the growth of urban and industrial areas. The main causes of soil pollution include the improper use of agricultural chemicals, the dumping of industrial and domestic waste, mining, hydrocarbon spills, and poor solid waste management. Toxic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and industrial solvents infiltrate the soil, altering its composition and reducing its regenerative capacity. Globally, this phenomenon manifests itself in various forms, from the degradation of agricultural lands in developing countries to the accumulation of hazardous waste in urban areas of industrialized countries. Furthermore, countries with weaker regulatory capacity face greater risks due to the lack of effective environmental policies. Soil pollution knows no boundaries; pollutants can travel through water or air, affecting distant ecosystems. Therefore, it is essential to adopt global and sustainable approaches to prevent and remedy this problem. International cooperation, environmental education, and the development of clean technologies are key to mitigating its long-term impacts.