Read Current Affairs
- A recent study highlights the serious impact of toxic metal pollution in soils on both food production and safety. Regions most at risk include southern China, northern and central India, and parts of the Middle East.
- Soil Metal Pollution Overview: Heavy metals and metalloids such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are persistent pollutants that do not degrade, instead accumulating in soil over decades. Cadmium is the most prevalent, with 9% of global soils exceeding safe limits. These pollutants originate from both natural (geogenic) sources—like volcanic activity and bedrock weathering—and human (anthropogenic) activities, including agriculture, industry, and household waste.
- Impact and Consequences: Soil pollution disrupts ecosystems by reducing primary productivity and diminishing essential soil services. It poses major health risks, contributing to over 500,000 premature deaths annually. Toxic metals also bioaccumulate in plants and animals, potentially entering the human food chain and causing harm. Furthermore, pollution alters soil biodiversity and nutrient balance, affecting soil fertility.