Explain the effects of soil pollution on plants and animals

      

Explain the effects of soil pollution on plants and animals.

  

Answers


Raphael
When soil is polluted, its fertility is affected and this too affects the soil productivity leading to the living components of the environment i.e. plants and animals getting affected as well.

1. Effects of soil pollution on plants
Dumping
Most materials such as plastics and polythene papers do not decay. If such materials are not properly dumped, they may cause damage to leaves and stems of plants when deposited on the soil as they decay. Through this way, they interfere with growth of the plants as follows:
• Absorption of water and mineral salts.
• Growth of roots of the plants since they block the roots.
• Air circulation in the soil.

2. Negative Effects of Soil Pollution on Animals
Soil being homes of many small animals, such as worms, ants and termites, they are negative affected when soil is affected (polluted). Some small animals like bacteria make soil to be rich by decomposing dead vegetable and animal materials. This is the way humus is added into the soil making it more productive. Other small animals like earthworms and millipedes dig in the soil and this allows air and water circulation in the soil. The improved soil aeration and drainage of the soil allows the roots of the plants to penetrate into the soil easily.
The presence of oil, chemicals in the soil such as herbicides and pesticides and other harmful pollutants make it difficult for the small animals to survive and when they die the soil loses its quality and lowers productivity.
raphael answered the question on October 8, 2018 at 04:53


Next: What is seed germination?
Previous: What is seed viability?

View More Science Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Exams With Marking Schemes

Related Questions