Essays on Soil, Plastic & Noise Pollution
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Soil Pollution
Addition of undesirable and harmful substances to the upper layers of soil is termed as soil pollution. Soil being one of the most invaluable natural resources is the reservoir of most of our food, minerals and elemental requirements.
Therefore contamination of this resource can heavily jeopardize the overall existence and daily essentials for humans, animals and plants.
These industries produce some very harmful and poisonous chemicals, metallic compounds, heavy metals, radioactive agents etc that can create havoc with the fertility of the topsoil. Next on the list is the domestic refuse from various households.
This also contains various biological, organic and inorganic wastes which are heaped on to the soil surrounding such settlements. The decaying and festering garbage dumps and solid waste collection not only breeds various diseases but also create havoc in terms of odor and aesthetics.
Other installations and utilizes like hospitals, laboratories, power plants etc. also have their specific forms of refuse and waste that add to the above-mentioned pollutants. Use of excessive fertilizers, insecticides etc., in agriculture is another grave source of soil pollution.
Contamination of underground water through percolation of soil pollutants is another knock-on effect of soil pollution. It also causes disruption of various important physicochemical and biological functions and processes of like nitrogen fixation, decomposition of natural waste etc. as the overall balance between various life forms are destroyed.
The most manifest effect of soil pollution is the destruction of soil fertility i.e. its ability to produce food and grains. Not just the quantity but even the composition of the food harvested is compromised due to the contamination of the soil.
This alters the composition of the soil both physically and chemically which results in the disintegration of its biological make i.e. microbial, floral and faunal.
Depletion of fertility is also caused by soil erosion which is usually accompanied by its pollution. The presence of toxic chemicals in the soil is transferred into animal and human bodies through dietary food grains and other plant products.
Use of natural biological fertilizers like urea over chemical options is also important. Since, plants and their root systems act as natural soil purification systems, more and more trees etc need to be seeded and maintained.
Treatment of toxic industrial waste before being released into the environment is paramount and directly impacts the natural health of soil surrounding them.
Reduction of chemicals, recycling and reuse of the various products is also needed. Innovative techniques like bio-compositing, e-diesel production, biogas generators etc. should be leveraged to naturally decompose the solid, agricultural and domestic waste.
The banning of plastic bags etc. and overall reeducation of habits and hygiene would also aid our fight against soil pollution. These also measures need to be backed by statutory protection, regulatory oversight and strict enforcement to see the lasting and significant improvements in terms of soil health and fertility.
Plastic Pollution
Some of the biggest inventions can create the biggest problems. This is true especially for material like plastic. Undoubtedly, one of the most widely utilized synthetic products, plastic is very convenient, cheap and durable. It has multifarious uses and found everywhere in the world.
However, the more we use something, the more we need to worry about the refuse and residue it leaves. With plastic, it is literally indecomposable and that leads to an even more stubborn pile of waste.
On the other hand, the production process of plastic from fossil fuels is another environmental concern on its own. The exhaustible andpolluting nature of these fuels makes it all the more painful in terms of ecological damage to produce plastic on an industrial scale.
Some of the direct health effects of plastic are respiratory disorders, skin issues, digestive abnormalities, infertility etc. The plastic that finds its way into the river streams contaminates the water and makes it unfit for human use.
There is also burning or incineration of plastic which leads to even more pollution in the form of toxic fumes and greenhouse gases. Another point to note is that since the plastic waste can survive up to a thousand years without much wear, it gets magnified and accumulated as we go up the various food chains. These phenomena are known as bio-magnification and bio-accumulation respectively.
If we look at the big picture, plastic has a much more adverse impact on non-human life forms. Most of the plastic refuse is either dumped into the water bodies or buried inside the earth. Both of these situations lead to massive problems in various forms of the ecological supply chain.
The destruction of marine life has reached an alarming rate and we are already seeing a massive rate of extinction in terms of marine flora and fauna like pelagic turtles, sea birds, seals, jellyfish etc. Even the animals of the land are not immune to the dangers of engulfing plastic bags.
These festering dumps also become breeding grounds for various epidemics under the influence of sun and rain. The solution to the menace of plastic pollution is not a linear and simple one. It has to be designed as per the specifics of the area, nature of use/disuse, available resources for treatment and recycles etc.
However, one common need is to create awareness about the hazard of plastic pollution and educate the masses as well all the stakeholders. Once people are aware we need to back the popular sentiment with political consensus and will to establish a regime for robust corrective methods.
It may range from recycling or reuse of the plastic to an overall reduction of its use. We also have to develop organic substitute like paper or cloth to eliminate plastic use in the future.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution was for a long time not considered as impactful as other manifest forms like air or water pollution etc. However, it has emerged as a major source of health hazard with the onset of various technological and industrial advancements.
It includes all the excessively loud sounds generated by different sources which negatively impact humans, plants and animals. Apart from health concerns it also has adverse effects on the natural soundscape and environment.
The sound generated by aircraft, jets and railways is another alarming reality. The compressors use in various machines and electronic devices like AC, Refrigerators etc., are also contributors to levels of the nose in our environment.
Construction of buildings, highways etc. has been a boon in terms of connectivity but has negatively impacted the natural levels of ambient sounds. Human festivals like Diwali, parades etc. which use loud firecrackers do not help either.
With these and other causes come the grave consequences of noise pollution. It is a big source of irritation and distraction causing the avoidable level of anxiety, stress and fatigue. This is apparent in cases of expecting mothers, newborn babies and elderly people which are one of the most vulnerable groups.
There is an increased risk of hypertension, arrhythmia, psychological distress and problems. The biggest danger, of course, is the possibility of permanent deafness. Apart from health concerns, high noise levels impact animal behaviors like migratory habits, nesting and mating activities etc. In the case of plant life, noise can impede their productivity and biomass s production.
The dangers of noise pollution are clear and on the rise. Therefore, there is a need for smart solutions which are guarded by oversight and supervision. Banning of loud firecrackers, honing of horns at stalled traffic etc. must be enforced.
Regulated levels of noise in special areas like hospitals, schools, elder care homes etc must be maintained. Afforestation and planting of trees must be promoted as they act as natural buffers for noise.
Translocation of industries, airports from residential areas is also a must. Design of sound-absorbing material and their use in construction should be incentivized and financed. Use of earmuffs and other protective devices is another expedient solution.
Together with these, there is a grave need for awareness and education. There must be an insistence on inculcating good habits in terms of sound use etc, in young children and even adult.
A multi-stakeholder conversation and discussion must be encouraged to come up with consensus-based solutions and not just top-down approach of law enforcement.
