Soils are complex, living and dynamic systems that are at the interface of four 'environments' - lithosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Any changes to these 4 environments will affect soils. The biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere are the main contributors to the pollution of soils. However, the climatic conditions of the situated environment and lithosphere controls the main characteristics of soils. The characteristic of soils will in turn determine the extent of impact of the pollutants.
The heterogeneity of soils makes it difficult for the impact of pollutants on soils be quantified. As a result, soils often treated as a black box. Besides, since soils are good absorbents, they have been treated as stores for pollutants with no considerations for its sustainability. Usually, when soils start to leach their pollutants into the groundwater, soils have been too contaminated for effective treatment and they will have to be disposed at landfills. This will then greatly disrupt the carbon budget as soils are important carbon stores. Therefore, there is a need to promote the awareness for soil sustainability.
Soils are important as they are
- Mediums for Plant Growth
- Regulators of Water Supply
- Assistants in the Recycling of Nutrients and Waste (N and C cycles)
- Habitats of Organisms
- Engineering Mediums
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