Impacts
The consequences of soil pollution are severe
and widespread, affecting agriculture, human health, and ecosystems.
It has the most adverse impact on the one that contaminates the
organic matter for plant growth. The soil composition can change so
that the crops cannot absorb nutrients if lead, cadmium, or mercury
is in the soil. Because of the falling fertility, farmers need to
use excessive fertilizers, contributing to a cycle of increasing
pollution (FAO & UNEP, 2021). Eventually, desertification, lower
crop yields, and food shortages will cause problems for global food
security.
| Areas Impacted | What Happens |
| Farming | Poor plant growth, less food production |
| Water Pollution | Harmful chemicals mix into rivers and groundwater |
| Human Health | Causes sickness from toxic soil |
| Wildlife & Nature | Destroys animal homes and useful soil organisms |
Another critical impact of soil pollution is water contamination, as pollutants gradually seep into groundwater, rivers, and lakes. Soil toxic chemicals, including persistent organic chemicals (POPs) such as dioxins and PFAS, are absorbed by soil and carried into water systems, where they accumulate in aquatic life and drinking water sources. As a result, their long-term health is affected. Water pollution also comes from industrial activities, oil spills, and waste runoff, which add hazardous substances to the environment. In addition, the microplastics from sewage sludge, plastic waste, and synthetic textiles contaminate water bodies, making drinking water unsafe (Hasan & Tarannum, 2024). Contamination damages land ecosystems and pollutes water sources; it is a serious threat to public health and biodiversity.