Soil Pollution
The
soil pollution or soil contamination is defined as the presence of
materials in the soil which are harmful to the living beings when they
cross their threshold concentration levels. It is cause by Industrial
activity, Agricultural Chemicals, Fertilizers (Excess use) or improper
disposal of waste.
What Causes Soil Pollution?
Industrial
wastes such as harmful gases and chemicals, agricultural pesticides,
fertilizers and insecticides are the most common causes of soil
pollution or soil contamination. Improper septic system and management
and maintenance of the same. Leakages from sanitary sewage. Acid rains,
when fumes released from industries get mixed with rains. Fuel leakages
from automobiles,
that get washed away due to rain and seep into the
nearby soil. Unhealthy waste management techniques, which are
characterized by release of sewage into the large dumping grounds and
nearby streams or rivers.
What are the Effects of Soil Pollution?
Decrease
in soil fertility and therefore decrease in the soil yield. How can one
expect contaminated soil to produce healthy crops?
Loss of soil and natural nutrients present in it. Plants also would not thrive in such soil, which would further result in soil
erosion. Foul smell due to industrial chemicals and gases might result
in headaches, fatigue, nausea, etc., in many people. Creation of toxic
dust is another potential effect of soil pollution.
Soil Sample Collection
Soil sample collection is the most important & critical step in soil analysis. There are two ways of collecting soil samples. Collection of soil sample is depending on size of field and uniformity.
1. Grab Sampling
In this method, Soil sample is collected randomly from field. This method is suitable for the fields which are small in size and uniform. This is a most common & economic method used in soil analysis.
2. Composite sampling
In this method more than one sub samples mixed for sampling field. Generally, this type of method is suitable for larger & non-uniform fields. In this sampling method preferebally 15 to 25 sub samples are collected for best result. Also deeper samples may be collected for subsoil analysis. After soil sampling collection sample is placed in clean plastic bucket & mixed completely. After that desired sample amount is removed from that bucket & let it dry for 2-3 days. After that it is sent to laboratory for the further Soil testing.
Soil testing
Soil testing is carried out in our analytical laboratory for following parameters:
- pH
- Residual Chlorine
- Chloride as Cl-
- Sulphate as SO4
- Phosphate as PO4
- LOD @ 105 degree C
- LOI @ 550 degree C
- Flash Point
- Calorific Value
- Specific Gravity
- Arsenc as As
- Cadmium as Cd
- Cobalt as Co
- Copper as Cu
- Chromium as Cr
- Lead as Pb
- Mercury as Hg
- Nickel as Ni
- Zinc as Zn
- Organic Matter
Soil Testing Methods
There are many types of analytical Soil testing methods. We follow Water, Mehlich buffer, Mehlich 3 (ICP), Summation, Loss on Ignition, Combustion, Specific Ion Electrode, Electrical Conductivity (1:2), EPA Method 3050B/3051 + 6010, Hydrometer Method, EPA Method 7473, ASTM Method C 25 etc. methods.
Importance of soil analysis
Soil analysis can determine required inputs for efficient & economic production. It gives ideas to determine how to use fertilizers. Also important to identify causes of nutrients related plant growth problems.
Why US
We have highly experienced & qualified staff for collecting,Soil Testing, Analyzing & Reporting of soil samples. We also provide Services for Soil Fertility testing, Soil Investigation and Reason for soil contamination.
Also we have periodically calibrated instrument to get accurate results.
If you have any queries or doubts please let us know. we would like to hear from you.