Land Pollution Earth Science Hagen

Land Pollution Overview Historically, land is a dumping ground for waste 6 billion tons of waste produced each year –Agricultural –Commercial –Industrial –Domestic Normally, not a problem if disposed of properly

If Improperly Disposed of: Household wastes – breeding ground for rats, flies, mosquitoes One quart used motor oil – contaminates 100,000’s gallons of drinking water Leachate – liquid that results when water moves through any non-water media and collects contaminants

Soils Land = earth = soil Soil is critical to life –Plants get nutrients from soil –Animals get nutrients from plants

Soil Four major components –Mineral particles (rocks and clays) –Organic matter –Water –Air Soils vary in different aspects –Color –Thickness –Layers –Amount of clay, salt, & organic matter

Soil Factors affecting how fast pollutants move through soil –Soil composition –Soil structure –Pore sizes –Amount of organic matter All = Soil profile

Image: O Horizon – Organic matter A Horizon – Top soil B Horizon – Subsoil C Horizon – Parent Material

EXIT TICKET Define a leachate. List the four major soil components. Explain why soil is critical to all life forms.