Soil Contamination Causes and Solutions
Soil contamination most often occurs when xenobiotic chemicals, or human-made chemicals, spill or leak into the ground. Industrial activity, agricultural chemicals, and improper waste disposal are the most common causes of soil pollution and contamination.
9 Most Common Causes of Soil Contamination
Mining: Commonly leads to a high concentration of toxic chemicals like arsenic, sulfuric acid, and mercury.
![Mining soil contamination Mining soil contamination - environmental cleanup Wisconsin](/Content/files/mining_Img1.jpg)
Accidental spills: Most commonly, oil and petroleum spills can have severe effects on vegetation and wildlife in the area.
![Oil spill contamination Oil spill contamination - environmental cleanup in Midwest](/Content/files/accidentalSpills_Img2.jpg)
Corrosion of underground storage tanks and piping: Old storage tanks and worn-down piping can break and leak toxic waste into the soil.
![Piping corrosion contamination Old piping contamination, pipe corrosion](/Content/files/corrosion_Img3.jpg)
Acid Rain: Commonly contains air pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides that dissolve into the soil, leading to increased health and environmental impacts.
![Acid rain contamination Acid rain contamination - environmental cleanup in Midewest](/Content/files/acidRain_Image4.jpg)
Agricultural chemicals such as pesticides: Previous and current farmland is always at high risk of being contaminated by the fertilizers and pesticides used by the agricultural industry.
![Pesticide soil contamination Pesticide contamination cleanup in Wisconsin](/Content/files/agriculturalChemical_Image5.jpg)
Petrochemicals including oil and gasoline: Contamination commonly occurs near gas stations, drilling locations, and land near train stations that transport oil tank cars.
![Petroleum/gasoline contamination Petroleum spill contamination, gas spill, environmental cleanup](/Content/files/petrochemicals_Image6.jpg)
Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil: Properties near bodies of water or rivers are at higher risk for contaminants seeping into the soil via the surface water.
![Drainage of contaminated water Drainage of contaminated water contaminating the soil](/Content/files/drainage_Image7.jpg)
Ammunition, chemical agents of war: Common contaminants for firing ranges and previous military operation bases. Ammunition contains lead, which leads to lead poisoning and water contamination.
![Ammunition contaminating the soil ammunition and firing ranges contaminating the soil](/Content/files/ammunition_Image8.jpg)
Improper waste disposal: Includes gasoline, oil, nuclear waste, sewage, landfills, coal & electronic waste. Properties near water treatment facilities and power plants are at high risk for contamination and should be evaluated by an environmental consulting firm. PFAS chemical contamination is a rising concern in Wisconsin due to improper waste disposal at landfills.
![Improper waste disposal causing soil contamination Improper waste disposal causing soil contamination](/Content/files/improperwasteDisposal_Image9.jpg)