Measures to Control Soil Pollution

Don't Dump

• Never dump household chemicals or grease on the ground or down the drain, where they may enter the sewer system and contaminate soil elsewhere. Dispose of such substances at the nearest household-hazardous-waste recycling facility, where they will be processed and disposed of safely. Report illegal dumping sites, often found in ditches along little-used rural roads, to local law enforcement for cleanup. When located along waterways, these sites may pollute large areas downstream.

Use Biocontrol Measures

• Pesticides and herbicides are a common source of soil pollution. To avoid the potential negative effects of these chemicals, consider using biological control measures for pests and weeds. Provide a good habitat around the yard and garden for predators like ladybugs that eat common pests. Weed gardens by hand; control weeds in the yard through mowing and tillage. Use cover crops in the garden during the off-season to deter garden pests.

Bioaugmentation

• Soil microorganisms can eventually break down some forms of organic soil pollution under the right soil and moisture conditions. Bioaugmentation is the practice of inoculating contaminated soil with large numbers of the appropriate organisms to speed breakdown. It's cheaper than pollution cleanup methods that involve physically moving the soil, but it's comparatively slow and may not work in some soil types like clay, since the organisms require plenty of moisture and oxygen to work effectively.

Composting

• Composting uses the same action of aerobic soil organisms to break down many forms of biodegradable waste, but the polluted soil is removed and mixed with some sort of bulking agent like sawdust or leaves, then allowed to detoxify before being moved back to the original site or to a different permanent site. Because the compost pile can be aerated by turning or actively blowing air through it, the process is faster than bioaugmentation on-site. However, the machinery and labor necessary to remove and maintain the pile makes composting a more expensive option.