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Soil contamination, soil pollution, or land pollution as a 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 .
Deforestation in Nigeria can be said to be the process of cutting down trees or clearing forests for either agricultural, commercial, residential, or industrial purposes. [1] In Nigeria, it has become an increasingly important environmental concern as it has adverse effects on the ecosystem, including soil erosion. [2] [3]
In northern Nigeria, this has been associated with an average temperature increase of at least 1 °C. [61] Increased Erosion: Loss of soil's natural vegetation cover due to desertification is a major driver of soil erosion, with wind and water erosion causing widespread degradation (Katsina State survey).
Deforestation leads to desertification, ecosystem and biodiversity loss, land degradation, increased greenhouse gases, and soil erosion, significantly impacting the environment and human well-being [26] Deforestation threatens the sustainability of the environment, which in turn may lead to risks for citizens' quality of life due to economic ...
Air pollution in Africa is coming to the forefront and must not be ignored. For example, in South Africa the mercury levels are severe due to coal combustion and gold mining. Mercury is absorbed from the air into the soil and water. [19] The soil allows the crops to absorb the mercury, which humans ingest.
The topography of South Eastern Nigeria determines its vulnerability to water erosion. There are three types in the area: plains and lowlands, uplands, and highlands. The highlands, which consist of cuesta landscapes, are resistant to erosion due to their soil composition, but they serve as paths for the water to runoff and erode the lowland areas.
The risk of air pollution is determined by the pollutant's hazard and the amount of exposure that affects a person. [36] For example, a child who plays outdoor sports will have a higher likelihood of outdoor air pollution exposure than an adult who tends to spend more time indoors, whether at work or elsewhere. [36]
Soil particles picked up during wind erosion of soil are a major source of air pollution, in the form of airborne particulates—"dust". These airborne soil particles are often contaminated with toxic chemicals such as pesticides or petroleum fuels, posing ecological and public health hazards when they later land, or are inhaled/ingested.