Major Pollutants of Contaminated Paddy Soils

Abstract

Pollution of soil is a burning environmental issue worldwide. With an increase in the population, the demand for food has also increased drastically, followed by adapting of such agricultural practices that although enhances the production however pollutes the surface soil as well (Bakircioglu et al. 2011; Fernandez-Ondono et al. 2017; Sungur et al. Soil Sediment Contam 24:1–15, 2015). Pollutants have the ability to be transferred into different compartments of ecosystem therefore causing stern environmental as well as health problems (Guillen et al. 2012; Hu et al. 2013; Qishlaqi et al. J Hazard Mater 172:374–384, 2009).

Plants are indicative of deposition from air, providing evidence of long-range transport (de Wit et al. 2006). Certain plants have a high lipid fraction to accumulate lipophilic compounds from air precipitates and therefore play an important role in the global cycling of contaminants (Lead et al. 1996). Rice is the major source of food for as much as 60% of the world’s population (Kiritani K. Annu Rev Entomol 24:279–312, 1979). Paddy fields cover approximately 155 million ha and are the largest man-made wetlands on Earth, dominating the landscape in south-eastern China (Koegel-Knabner et al. 2010). The quality and safety of these paddy soils are directly linked to health and environmental status of local and international community. Reckless industrial effluent discharge containing metals/metalloids or unchecked/uncontrolled use of insecticides and pesticides to control pest population and enhance crop yield is ultimately going to pollute the soil and crop as well. This in turn will travel up the food chain where they possibly may bioaccumulate and biomagnify. These pollutants are responsible for causing numerous health concerns, at times leading to fatal acute and chronic diseases. Hence, maintaining the quality of our agricultural land is of supreme importance if we want to feed our ever-growing population.