Tag: waste and its management

Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal are also considered e-waste.

Mining activities are one one of the major reasons for destruction of natural vegetation. Vast tracts of land are cleared and exposes the soil to erosion forces. Thus, degrading the area. This is called as mine spoil.

Grasslands provide forage to cattle and support wildlife based on grazing food chain. Grasslands have been put to two types of pressure : overgrazing and conversion. At one time, in the history of human civilization, cattle were reared in large number. The number continues to be high. For example : In arid and semi arid areas of India, the number of grazing animals is 2 to 10 times higher than the grasslands can support. This decreases productivity and quality of grasslands and causes Negative pollution ie reduction in soil productivity due to overuse. Positive soil pollution is reduction in soil productivity  due to addition of undesirable  substances e.g : Agrochemicals, industrial wastes, air pollutants washed down by rain, faulty sanitation etc.

Dumping of discarded particles of old furniture, utensils, glass pieces, ash, aluminium etc which are similar other products which do not get degraded and spoil the quality and profile of soil. 

When the wastes are disposed in the ground, there is leaching of the chemicals from the waste. This results in the soil pollution and contamination of the ground water. The oil and fuel, nuclear wastes and the coal ash are dumped by making pits in the ground. This results in the loss of the fertility and quality of the soil. So, nuclear waste is a source of soil pollution.