1.

Terminologies of soil
1.1 The general meaning of soil

According to Harold M. van Es 2017, soil is The layer(s) of generally loose mineral and/or
organic material that are affected by physical, chemical, and/or biological processes at or near
the planetary surface and usually hold liquids, gases, and biota and support plants. On the other
way Soil refers to the unconsolidated mineral or organic matter on the earth's surface that has
been influenced by genetic and environmental factors such as climate, water, temperature, and
macro- and microorganisms, as well as relief over time. A product soil has unique physical,
chemical, biological, and morphological qualities compared to its source material.

1.2 how soil is formed

in the words of A. Balasubramanian 2017. Soil formation is an ongoing process. It takes many
million years to develop a thin layer of dirt. Soil formation is complicated due to its diverse
composition. Soil formation is influenced by the parent rock's physicochemical qualities,
weathering intensity and duration, and climate.

1.2.1 Soil Forming Processes

There are four processes of soil formation that are ,

1.2.1.1 Additions:

Material added to the soil, such as decomposing vegetation and organisms (organic matter), or
fresh mineral minerals deposited by wind or water..

1.2.1.2 Losses:

Soil particles (sand, silt, clay, and organic matter) or chemical compounds can be eroded,
leached, or harvested from the soil due to wind or water movement, or by plant absorption,
altering the chemical and physical makeup of the soil.

1.2.1.3 Transformations:

The chemical weathering of sand and formation of clay minerals, transformation of coarse
organic matter into decay resistant organic compounds (humus).
 1.2.1.4 Translocations:

Movement of soil constituents (organic or mineral) with in the profile and/or between horizons.
Over time, this process is one of the more visibly noticeable as alterations in color, texture, and
structure become apparent

2. Soil erosion

Soil erosion is the process of wind and water moving soil particles from one location and
transporting and depositing them elsewhere. In this process, the soil particles are loosened or
washed away in the valleys, oceans, rivers, streams or far away regions. This has been worsening
due to human activities such as agriculture and deforestation.

2.1 causes of soil erosion

There are several causes of soil erosion among them are

2.1.1 Rainfall and Flooding

Soil erosion is mostly caused by more intense rainstorms. Rainfall causes four distinct types of
soil erosion:• Erosion types include rills, gullies, sheets, and splash erosion. Raindrops scatter
soil, which is eventually swept away into surrounding streams and rivers. Regions with heavy
and regular rains experience significant soil loss. Floodwater erodes soil by generating potholes,
rock-cut basins, and so on.

2.1.2 Agriculture
Farming activities are the leading cause of soil erosion. Agricultural operations affect the soil.
The trees are cut down, and the ground is plowed in preparation for new seed planting. Because
most crops are cultivated in the spring, the land remains barren during the winter months. Most
of the soil erodes throughout the winter. Tractor tyres often leave grooves on the ground,
creating a natural channel for water. Wind erodes fine soil particles.
2.1.3 Grazing

The grazing animals feed on the grasses and remove the vegetation from the land. Their hooves
churn up the soil. They also pull out plants by their roots. This loosens the soil and makes it more
prone to erosion.

2.1.4 Logging and Mining

A large number of trees are cut down to carry out the logging process. Trees hold the soil firmly.
The canopy of the trees protects the soil from heavy rainfall. The leaf litter that protects the soil
from erosion is also lost during logging. Mining activities also disturb the land and leave the soil
more prone to erosion.

2.1.5 Construction

The construction of roads and buildings exposes the soil to erosion. The forests and grasslands
are cleared for construction purposes, which exposes the soil making it vulnerable to erosion.

2.2 major consequences of Soil Erosion

2.2.1 Loss of arable land

Soil erosion depletes the top fertile layer of soil. This layer contains a high concentration of
nutrients that plants and soil require. Degraded soil does not sustain crop production, resulting in
low crop productivity.

2.2.2 Clogging of Waterways

Pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals can all be found in agricultural soil. This
pollutes the water bodies to which the soil flows. Sediments collect in the water, raising water
levels and causing flooding.

2.2.3 Air Pollution

Dust particles combine in the air, causing pollution. Some poisonous compounds, such as
insecticides and petroleum, can be exceedingly dangerous when inhaled. When the winds blow,
dust plumes from arid and semi-arid regions pollute the surrounding areas.
2.2.4 Desertification
Soil erosion is a key cause of desertification. It converts livable zones into deserts. Deforestation
and the detrimental use of land exacerbate the situation. This also causes biodiversity loss, soil
degradation, and ecosystem modification.

2.3 Mechanism to control soil erosion

Soil erosion is an important environmental concern. Steps should be done to address this issue.
The ways for preventing soil erosion are as follows:

 Plant trees on bare lands to prevent soil erosion.

 Add mulch and rocks to keep plants and grass from eroding the soil.
 Mulch matting can help to decrease erosion on slopes.
 Place a succession of fiber logs to keep any water or soil from washing away.
 A wall at the base of the slope can assist keep the soil from eroding.
 Every household should have a proper drainage system in place to ensure that water
flows into appropriate water collection systems.

Reference

Harold M. van Es 2017 A New Definition of Soil

A. Balasubramanian 2017 Soil Forming Processes University of Mysore 389
PUBLICATIONS 997 CITATIO