Chapter 3 - Changes in Soil Ecosystem Structure and Functions Due to Soil Contamination

Today, soil ecosystems are exposed to many physical, chemical and biological stress factors that are directly or indirectly related to human activity. In this chapter we will explain how pollutants affect soil ecological structure and how they change soil functions and services. The structure of the soil ecosystem consists of non-biological and biological compartments that dynamically interact according to important factors such as water and light. By changing this balance system, soil function is also compromised as they depend strictly on this structure and biodiversity. Soil functions include carbon conversion, nutrient circulation, maintenance of the structure itself, and regulation of organism populations. Activities such as mining, agriculture, forestry and waste disposal often cause imbalances in soil structure and function, and are mainly involved in the ecological functional biodiversity field. Therefore supply of supplies and ecosystem services will also be affected. Paying attention to soil ecosystem services is a difficult task that often lacks policy decision aspects because it can ignore loss of service costs. Therefore, you need to implement a new strategy to achieve the concept of rules, structure, function, service, and goods.

Soil contamination is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals in the soil (pollutants or pollutants) in a concentration sufficient to pose a threat to human health and ecosystems. In the case of pollutants naturally present in the soil, even if that level is not enough to cause risk, soil contamination still occurs if the level of pollutants in the soil exceeds the naturally occurring level. Regardless of whether it is contaminated or not, all contamination includes naturally occurring compounds (pollutants). These contaminants include metals, inorganic ions and salts (phosphates, carbonates, sulfates, nitrates etc.) and many organic compounds (lipids, proteins, DNA, fatty acids, hydrocarbons, PAH, alcohols etc) included. These compounds are mainly formed by microbial activity of the soil and decomposition of organisms such as plants and animals.

Today, soil ecosystems are exposed to many physical, chemical and biological stress factors that are directly or indirectly related to human activity. In this chapter we will explain how pollutants affect soil ecological structure and how they change soil functions and services. The structure of the soil ecosystem consists of non-biological and biological compartments that dynamically interact according to important factors such as water and light. By changing this balance system, soil function is also compromised as they depend strictly on this structure and biodiversity. Soil functions include carbon conversion, nutrient circulation, maintenance of the structure itself, and regulation of organism populations. Activities such as mining, agriculture, forestry and waste disposal often result in an imbalance between soil structure and function, mainly contributing to the ecological functional biodiversity field.

Difference between soil structure and texture: Soil structure is an important characteristic showing how soil particles are bonded. The soil structure is responsible for the presence of gas, water, pollutants / pollutants, leaks, nutrients, water quality, building foundation, soil animals and crops. The nature and quality of the structure depends on the quantity and quality of the organic matter present, the inorganic components of the soil matrix, the culture method and natural physical processes (eg contraction expansion (soil with high clay content, especially montmorillonite mineralogy) and freeze-thaw Behavior). Reduction of soil organic matter results in reduced soil aggregate stability, reduced permeability, increased susceptibility to compaction, and vulnerability of efflux to erosion (as observed in 39).