Question

Chief source of soil pollution is:

• A. mining of ores
• B. thermal power plant
• C. agro-industry
• D. all of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

all of the above

Soil contamination or soil pollution as part of land degradation is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals, or improper disposal of waste. Soil pollution can be caused by the following (non-exhaustive list):

1. Oil drilling
2. Mining and activities by other heavy industries
3. Thermal power plant
4. Accidental spills as may happen during activities, etc.
5. Corrosion of underground storage tanks (including piping used to transmit the contents)
6. Acid rain (in turn caused by air pollution)
7. Intensive farming
8. Agroindustries and chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
9. Industrial accidents
10. Road debris
11. Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil
12. Waste disposal