Vermicomposting 45% mineral

 it is a process that uses earth worms such as - gravel

African night crawlers (eudrilus eugeniae) to
-Silt
turn organic wastes into high quality composts,
which can then be mixed with soil enrich its -sand
organic content
-clay
SOIL COMPONENTS
25% water
•45% MINERAL
25% air
•25% AIR
5% organic
•25% WATER
- humus
•5% ORGANIC
- roots and dead decaying organisms
How is soil formed?
WEATHERING
Soil forms when rock weathers
-
or the breakdown of rocks may result from
Composition physical or chemical changes
 soil formation may be a slow or a rapid process,
- the act of process of composting
depending on the factors at play
PEDOSPHERE IS USEFUL IN.
PARENTAL MATERIAL
 agriculture
- the parent or soil material is important in soil
 construction
formation because its chemistry and type will
 mining/industry
determine the soil that will be formed
 waste disposal
Residual Soil
PEDOSPHERE IS AFFECTED BY
- soil located above the parent material
• desertification reduction of soil biota due to pesticides
- soils formed through weathering of the
pollution and contamination erosion nutrient and
underlying rock
depletion
HOWEVER
PEDOSPHERE
-most soils are transported from and ice. their source to
- is the foundation of all terrestrial life on this
another area by agents of erosion and transportation
planet.
such as water, wind
- Pedon -Greek word which means "soil" and
Sfaira which means "sphere" Water Erosion
- is the foundation of all terrestrial life on this
- Running water is the major agent of erosion that
planet
has shaped the earth's surface
- Soil layer of earth
Erosion by Wind
SOIL
- Wind causes erosion by deflation. is the process
- is considered an ecosystem and provides the
by which wind removes surface material
services necessary for human survival
- When wind blows over the land, it picks up the
- ecosystem a biological community of interacting
smallest particles of sediment
organisms and their physical environment
Action of Moving Ice
Pedosphere is influenced by
- Ice is also a Powerful Agent of Erosion. A large
 Parent rock
mass of Moving Ice is called Glacier. When they
 Climate
move, they carve their own valleys. U- Shaped
 Topography
and V-Shaped valley. Like Rivers, Glacier break
 Time
and carry away Rock Fragments
 Biological factors

CLIMATE
Ideal composition of soil
 - temperature, rainfall and moisture affect the
pattern and intensity of soil- forming processes
such as weathering, leaching
o Leaching
- In wet process where there is more precipitation
than evaporation, the water moves down towards
the bedrock taking dissolved minerals away the
surface

TOPOGRAPHY

- the gradient of the slope affects water flow and

erosion. as a result, different types of soil form in
different landforms

BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

- organisms such as plants, animals,

microorganisms and human affect soil
- animals and microorganisms mix the soil through
burrowing
- human activities such as quantity and agriculture
and urbanization have positive and negative
effects on the quality of soil
TIME
- the formation of soil is a long and continuous
process which may take hundreds to thousands of
years depending on the climate and environment
Four Main Characteristics of Soil
Soil Depth-Thickness of a soil from the surface to a
root-limiting layer such as bedrock or seasonal water
table
Soil Texture-The relative amount of sand, silt, and clay
in a given soil. Affects more specific characteristics like
porosity, drainage, and permeability

 it takes 200 to 400 years to develop 1 cm of soil.
 the rate is faster in tropical climates and much
longer in dry and cold climates
Soil
Soil Structure-The shape and size of soil aggregates.
Influences the size. distribution of pores in the soil
Organic Matter - Amount of organic matter within a
soil. Affects more specific characteristics and is affected
by soil management

 It consists of matter in three states - solid, liquid,

and gas. The solid component consists of a mixture
of mineral grains plus material of biologic origin.
 It is a product of weathering processes and a Soil Profile
medium capable of supporting plant growth.
The sequence of soil horizons from the surface down to
the underlying bedrock.
 The water in the soil wets' the mineral grains. The
soil moisture tends to contain high levels of Soil Horizon
dissolved substances. Both the nutrients and
 One of the succession of zones or layers within a
moisture in the soil allow plants to grow.
soil profile, each with distinct physical, chemical,
 Carbon dioxide, methane, and oxygen fill the open
and biological characteristics.
spaces in the soil.

Soil Texture

refers to the proportion of particles that fall into each of

the three size ranges, namely clay, silt, and sand.

Humus

 partically decayed organic matter in soil, critical to

soil fertility

Soil Quality
 Soil quality is the capacity of a soil to function
within ecosystem. and land-use boundaries to
sustain biological productivity, maintain
environmental quality, and promote plant and
animal health.
 Human activities such as farming, urbanization, and
waste disposal can greatly affect the soil quality.
Effects of Poor Soil Management
 Soil Pollution
 Erosion - occurs when soil particles are detached,
transported, and deposited. Although this may
occur naturally, removal of plants and trees from
the soil may lead to accelerated erosion.
 Desertification - the extreme degradation of
productive land in arid and semi-arid areas. This can
create poor quality vegetation.
 Acidification - occurs acidic cations (Hydrogen,
Aluminum, iron and manganese) are concentrated
in the soil. The pH decreases and soil becomes more
acidic. This is a natural process in weathering.
However, the use of certain fertilizers to provide
food, like anhydrous ammonia, causes soil to
become more acidic much faster.
 Salinization - is the buildup of salt on the soil
surface. This affects the physical soil quality and
hinders the growth of plants.
 Deforestation
 Heavy Metal Contamination - has a toxic effect on
soil microorganisms and plants. Even at low
concentration, it hinders some physiological
metabolism of plants.
 Heavy metals may further contaiminate the
water table. Accumulation in plants may also
pose as a danger to animal and human health.
Eutrophication - occurs when excessive amounts of
nitrogen and phosphorous, because of synthetic
fertilizers, accumulates in land and aquatic systems.
This is a form of nutrient pollution.
 This is the cause of algae blooms in aquatic
environments which depletes the oxygen in
water.
Conservation of Soil Resource
1. Increasing soil organic matter- the addition of new
organic matter is important in improving and
maintaining soil quality. It also improves soil structure
and enhances water and nutrient-holding capacity.
2. Keeping the soil covered and vegetated- ground
cover and vegetation protects the soil. It also provides
habitats for larger soil organism and can improve water
availability. The soil can be covered by leaving crop
residue.
3. Avoiding excessive tillage- tillage is done to loosen
surface soil and break up soil structure. Reducing it
minimizes the loss of organic matter and protects the
soil surface from further erosion
4.Managing pests and nutrient efficiently - efficient
pest and nutrient management requires regular testing
and monitoring of soil conditions and pests, along with
the application of only the necessary chemicals at the
right time and place.
5. Promoting crop rotation- changing vegetation across
the landscape over time allows the soil to recover, as
different plants contribute in a unique way to soil
structure and composition. It also increases the
diversity of plants as well as other organisms in the
area.
6.Reducing erosion and preventing soil compaction-
erosion can be prevented by keeping the ground
covered and vegetated, and by channeling excess
surface water runoff. Soil compaction can be prevented
by restricting human activities to designated areas
pathways.
Solid wastes:
 The solid wastes are the useless and unwanted
substances discarded by human society. These
include urban wastes, industrial wastes, agricultural
wastes, biomedical wastes and radioactive wastes
(the term refuse is also used for solid waste)
Liquid wastes
 Wastes generated from washing, flushing or
manufacturing processes of industries are called
liquid wastes.
Such a waste is called sewage.
 The most common practice is to discharge it on the
ground, nallahs, rivers and other water bodies,
often without any treatment.
Gaseous wastes
 These wastes are released in the form of gases from
automobiles, factories, burning of fossil fuels etc.
and get mixed in the atmosphere.
 These gases include carbon monoxide, CO2,
Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone,
methane, etc.
SOURCE of WASTE
1. Urban or Municipal wastes
2. Industrial wastes
3. Commercial wastes
4. Agricultural wastes
 In general, the urban solid wastes are called refuse.
 The Municipal solid wastes are a mixture of paper,
plastic, clothes, metals, glass, organic matter etc.
generated from households, commercial
establishments and markets.
Municipal Solid Waste:
 The wastes, collected from the residential houses,
markets, streets and other places mostly in the
urban areas and disposed of by municipal bodies
are called municipal solid wastes (MSW).
Hazardous wastes
 Hazardous wastes are generated by nearly every
industry. Metals, chemical, drugs, lather, pulp,
electroplating, dye, rubber are some of important
examples. Liquid Industrial waste that runs into a
stream from a factory can kill the aquatic fauna and
also cause health problems for humans.
 These wastes are dumped in inhabited areas which
pose much danger to human health and life and
cause several types of infectious diseases. Apart
from wastes, generated from the above sources,
there are certain wastes produced from mining
activities and radioactive substances that cause
much damage to the society and environment.
Commercial Waste
Mining
 The wastes generated by mining activities disturb
the physical, chemical and biological features of the
land and atmosphere. The wastes include the
overburden material, mine tailings (the waste left
after ore has been extracted from rock), harmful
gases released by blasting etc.
Classification of Wastes
 In general, the wastes are classified on the basis of
their biological, chemical and physical properties
and also on the basis of nature.
 Biodegradable Wastes
 Non-Biodegradable Wastes
 Hazardous wastes
Hazardous Wastes
 Many chemical, biological, explosive or radioactive
wastes, which are highly reactive and toxic, pose a
severe danger to human, plants or animal life and
are called hazardous wastes. They are highly toxic in
nature. Hazardous wastes, when improperly
handled, can cause substantial harm to human
health and to the environment. Hazardous wastes
may be in the form of solids, liquids, sludges or
gases.
Hazardous Wastes Materials' Risks
 Corrosiveness
 Ignitability
 Reactivity
 Toxicity
Ignitability
 These are wastes that easily catch fire with a flash
point less than 60°C. Such fires not only present
immediate dangers but can spread harmful particles
over wide areas.
Corrosiveness
 These comprise mostly acidic or alkaline wastes that
corrode other materials. These require special
containers for disposal and should be separated
from other wastes as they release toxic
contaminants.
Toxicity
 These wastes release toxins or poisonous
substances and pose hazards to human health and
the environment.
Spoilage of Landscape
 It is a common practice to dump plastic bags,
containers, vegetables, fruit peels, cans etc. in the
open area without thinking about its consequences
(Fig. 17.1). We need to be fully aware that improper
disposal of waste spoils the beauty of the
landscape.
Pollution
Dumping of wastes in a haphazard and unscientific
manner has serious environmental impact.
 Most of the wastes contain organic compounds a
number of inorganic minerals and other harmful
matter which contaminate the environment and
lead to:
1. Degradation of land,
2. Pollution of drinking water,
3. Destruction of aquatic life,
4. Degradation of ground and surface water used for
irrigation and industries, and
5. Improper disposal of wastes cause soil, air and water
pollution.
Health hazards due to air pollution: The following are
the adverse effects on human health:
1. Toxic gas carbon monoxide reduces the blood
oxygen and formation of haemoglobin, causing injury to
heart and central nervous system.
2. Sulphur dioxide and sulphuric acid both cause
irritation in the respiratory tracts of humans and high
concentrations of sulphur dioxide leads to severe heart
and lung diseases like bronchitis, asthma, etc.
5. Lead can cause injury in blood formation organs and
nervous system, especially impairing of brain functions
of new-born babies.
6. Pesticides and radiations are other toxic air
pollutants which are very dangerous for human health.
7. Metal, dusts, asbestos and hydrocarbons shorten
the life span and cause deterioration of nervous system
and there is additional risk of cancer.
8. In mining operation, silica and dust cause
pneumoconiosis (common disease in mine workers).
Health hazards due to soil or land pollution; The
impact of waste accumulation in soil/land has shown
the following major health effects:
1. The impact of land pollution on human health is
indirect. The pollutants added in the soil enter the
human body through water or air through the food
chain.
2. Several agrochemicals like DDT, fluorine, arsenic, lead
compounds and organ phosphorus compounds are
super toxic and cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, sweating, salivation and muscular tremors.
 Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane – is an
organochlorine insecticide.
3. Some rodenticides as strychnine, sodium
fluoroacetate etc. are blood coagulants.
4. Ethylene dichloride, ethylene dibromide and methyl
dibromide accumulate in liver, kidney, heart, spleen and
cause degenerative lesions.
Impact of Waste Accumulation on Terrestrial Life;
Some of these are as follows:
1. Many toxic chemicals, pesticides, other agricultural
wastes released into the environment that are taken up
by the plants from air, water and soil. Plants growing
under such conditions are severely affected by these
toxic chemicals.
2. Exposure to high concentration of pollutants may
cause acute injuries like chlorosis, discoloration and
even the death of plants.
3. Crops show reduced productivity and yield. The
quality of plant nutrients is also decreased.
4. Some highly toxic chemicals lead to genetic disorders
in animals.
Impact of Waste Accumulation on Fresh Water; The
impacts of waste dumping on aquatic life are as
follows:
1. The toxic wastes reaching the water bodies badly
disturb the aquatic life.
2. The sewage of cities is often drained into the rivers,
which is dangerous to flora, fauna and human life
3. Due to heavy accumulation of wastes into the canals,
lakes and rivers, oxygen concentration is reduced
considerably thus affecting the life of fishes and other
aquatic populations. In extreme deficiency of oxygen
most of the fishes die.
4. Some pollutants for example heavy metals, cyanides
and several other organic and inorganic compounds are
harmful to aquatic organisms. Many of them especially
non-biodegradable ones accumulate in the body of
organisms and cause long-term effects.
Impact of Waste Accumulation on Fresh Water; The
impacts of waste dumping on aquatic life are as
follows:
1. The toxic wastes reaching the water bodies badly
disturb the aquatic life.
2. The sewage of cities is often drained into the rivers,
which is dangerous to flora, fauna and human life
Impact of Waste Accumulation on Marine Life; The
impacts of waste dumping on marine life are as
follows:
1. The growth of marine algae is affected.
2. Massive oil spills not only spoil innumerable beaches
and estuaries but also cause widespread damage to
marine life.
3. Herbicides and pesticides (especially the organ
chlorides) reach the oceans via the wind and rivers and
contaminate marine water.
4. It is a matter of great concern that mangrove forests
are being damaged at an alarming rate due to disposal
of wastes along sea shores.
5. Thermal and radioactive pollution have disturbed the
life of fishes in estuaries and coastal ecosystems. Their
breeding is also affected adversely.
Some government regulations that Control improper
waste disposal
Republic Act No. 9003 is an act providing for an
ecological solid waste management program, creating
the necessary institutional mechanism and incentives,
declaring certain acts prohibited and providing
penalties, appropriating funds therefor, and for other
purposes. Prohibited acts include:
 Littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in
public places. Undertaking activities in violation of
sanitation operation
 Open burning of solid waste. Causing non-
segregated waste. Squatting in open dumps and
landfills. Open dumping, burying of biodegradable
materials in flood-prone areas
 Unauthorized removal of recyclable material.
Mixing of source-separated recyclable material with
other solid waste
 Establishment or operation of open dumps.
Manufacturing, distributing, using, and importing
consumer products that are nonenvironmentally
friendly materials
 Importing toxic wastes misrepresented as
'recyclable' or 'with recyclable content'
 Transporting and dumping in bulk in areas other
than facility centers. Site preparation, construction,
expansion or operation of waste management
facilities without an Environmental Compliance
Certificate and not conforming with the land use
plan of LGUs
 Construction of establishment within 200 meters
from dump sites or sanitary landfills
 Operation of waste disposal facility on any aquifer,
groundwater reservoir or watershed area -
Municipality ordinances
Plastic
- Easily means pliable and easily shaped
Polymers
- A category of materials made of a large repeating
chains of molecules
Leo Hendrik Baekeland
- Belgian American scientist and chemist
- Invented Bakelite in 1907
Bakelite
- First fully synthetic plastic
- Durable, heat resistant, an idea for mass
production
- Shaped or molded into almost anything
BASIC TECHNIQUES USE IN WASTE DISPOSAL
1. LANDFILL
2. INCINERATION
3. MULCH AND COMPOST
4. SOURCE REDUCTION
5. RECYCLING
6. WASTE COMPACTION
LANDFILL
- the process wherein the waste that canno reused
or recycled are separated out and spread as a thin
layer in low-lying areas across city. it is the
cheapest and the most convenient method. the
most common disposal method but could
contaminate surface water and groundwater
- it is constructed above and impermeable clay
layer that is lined with an impermeable
membrane. a layer of soil is added after each
layer of garbage. the area is declared unfit for
constructions of buildings for the next 20 years. it
can only be used as a playground or a park
INCINERATION
- the process of controlled combustion of garbage
to reduce it to incombustible matter such as ash
and waste gas. involves burning in a controlled
manner using an incinerator. the waste material
being treated is converted into gas, particles and
heat
- incineration the heat generated is used to
produce electricity. these gases must be treated
again to eradicate pollutants before they are
released to the atmosphere. this process is not
quite environmentally friendly due to the
generation of greenhouse gases such as carbon
dioxide and carbon monoxide
- original substance- fuel
- source of oxygen- oxidizer
- combustion is a chemical process in which a
substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and gives off
heat fuel
MULCH AND COMPOST
MULCH
- is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil.
- it helps in conservation of soil moisture, improves
fertility and health of the soil, reduce weed
growth and enhance the visual appearance of the
area
 mulching and composting provides compost which
is beneficial to plants
COMPOST
- FORMS WHEN AN ORGANIC MATERIALS
BIODEGRADE (ARE BROKEN DOWN BY WORMS
AND BACTERIA)
 SOURCE REDUCTION
- refers to the method of designing, manufacturing
purchasing, using, and reusing materials so that
the amount of waste or its toxicity is reduced.
- also known as waste prevention
- source reduction helps to protect the
environment by conserving natural resources and
landfill space
 EACH TON OF RECYCLED PAPER CAN SAVE 17
TREES AND 7,000 GALLONS OF WATER
IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING
 it reduces the number of fresh raw materials
we use.
 it reduces the amount of energy we use
 it reduces air pollution
 it lowers the amount of greenhouse gases
 it reduces the number of fresh raw materials
we use
 it reduces the amount of energy we use
 it reduces air pollution
 it lowers the amount of greenhouse gases
weathering
- Weathering is the on-site breakdown of rock
and its eventual transformations into
sediments.
- Weathering is an important process in the
formation of soil.
MECHANICAL WEATHERING
- Mechanical weathering is the physical
breakdown of a rock into unconnected grains or
chunks without changing its compositions.
Types of mechanical weathering
Exfoliations
- A process wherein intrusive rocks such as
granite usually split into onion-like sheets
parallel to the surface.
Frost wedging
- A process when water inside the fractures of
rocks experience regular freezing and thawing
that causes the joints to expand and grow,
causing pieces of rocks to detach.
Root wedging
- The process when joints also expand when
plants growing on its surface pry it open.
Salt wedging
- The process when the salt crystallizes, it pushes
apart the surrounding grains and weakens the
rock, causing it to disintegrate when exposed to
wind or rain.
Thermal expansions
- Thermal expansion occurs when a rock is
exposed to high temperature such as forest fire;
its outer layer expands due to baking.
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
- Chemical weathering occurs when there are
chemical changes in at least some of the
composition of the rock.
- The chemical reactions occur at a faster rate in
warm, wet climates such as the tropics.
Chemical reactions that occur in rocks
 Dissolution
- Dissolution happens in certain minerals
which are dissolved in water.
- Halite (NaCl)
dissolves in pure water.
Calcite
- dissolves rapidly in acidic water.
Ex. Limestone
 Hydrolysis
- Hydrolysis occurs when water reacts with
the minerals and breakdown them.
- Occurs faster in slightly acidic water.
 oxidation
- The reaction of oxygen with minerals and
breaks them down.
 Hydration
- Hydration occurs when water is absorbed
into the crystal structure of the mineral,
causing it to expand.
Ex. Clay
Biological Weathering
- weathering also occur in root plants, when
fungi and lichens secret e organic acids that
dissolves minerals and the nutrients are
taken in by these organisms.