Soil pollution and salinisation

refers

degradation of the Earth's surface.

example

litter found on the side of the road

illegal dumping in natural habitats

such as creation of landfills

use of pesticides and other farming chemicals

can lead to poor growth/reduced crop yields, loss of wildlife, soil erosion, desertification

salts are present in the soil can be mobilised/transported by

groundwater

evaporation

natural events

become present in excessive quantities , soils classed as

procees salinisation

negative effects

growth/ producitivity of plants

animals

human activiities

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is the increase in thesalt content in soil,

salts accumulate

the root zone of crops and pastures

cause losses in production

less vegetation intercepting and utilising rainfall

water enters the groundwater system dissolving soluble salts and raising groundwater levels.

Once the water table reaches about 2 metres below the ground surface, evaporation can transport these salts to the soil surface

land clearing wide-scale agricoltural practices lead to soil salinisation.

By understanding and monitoring groundwater movement and quality, agricultural land may be managed to help suppress and avoid such problems