Soil water and

atmosphere

CHAPTER # 3
 Introduction

The biosphere contains biotic and abiotic

components.
The abiotic components consist of various
resources like soil, minerals, water, air, etc.
Soil is an indispensable element as it houses
the living things, provides them with the
required nutrients and supports life.
The components of soil, water, and air are
discussed in detail in this chapter.
 Soil

Soil is the surface layer of the land

It contains a variable mixture of broken and
weathered materials and decaying organic
matter, which covers the earth in a thin layer.
It takes long period of time for the soil to
form through the natural process.
The formation takes place from the
weathering and decomposition of rocks and
minerals.
Soil is a dynamic layer of earth’s crust which
is constantly changing and developing
 Soil

The upper limit of soil is air or water and its

lateral margins grade to deep water or barren
areas of rock or even ice.
The lower limit is thought to be the lower limit
of the common rooting depth of respective
native perennial plants. This lower limit is
shallow in the deserts and the tundra; and deep
in humid tropics
Soil is a natural resource that is renewable in
nature. It serves as a natural medium where
microbial activity happens. Soil also provides
nutrients for the growth of land plants
 Soil

Properties like texture, structure, permeability,

water porosity, soil pH, nutrient (organic and
inorganic) contents, microbial property, etc.
determines the fertility and the resultant
productivity of the soil.
In addition to this, the topography, climate,
biotic factors, etc. too contribute to the fertility.
Soil fertility is the quality of a soil that enables it
to provide nutrients in adequate amounts and
balance, for the growth of’ plants.
Soil fertility also plays a vital role in the
determination of the quality and composition of
the biosphere.
 Functions of soils

Soil accomplishes a number of functions. A few of

them are the following:
 It provides mechanical support to the plant
The soil has the property of porosity and the ability
to hold water. These properties make soil a
reservoir of water.
Soil provides micro and macro nutrients, as well as
ideal pH that are indispensable for the growth of
the micro-organisms, plants and animals.
Soil works to prevent excessive leaching of
nutrients.
 Bacteria that fix nitrogen and other elements;
fungi, protozoa and other micro-organisms that
aids in decomposition of organic matter; etc. are
housed by soil.
 Soil degradation

Soil is being depleted day in and day out and this

degradation is further differentiated into various
horizons or profiles, which are as follows:
Soil degradation:
Degradation of soil refers to the loss of fertility or
productivity of the soil
It is estimated that more than 10% of the world’s soil
lost a large amount of its natural fertility during the
second half
of the 20th century.
The rate of degradation was as heavy as 24% in central
America.
Most of this degradation was due to deforestation. soil
degradation to the extent of 17% due to human activities
like industrialization, mechanized farming; and acid rain.
 Factors for degradation of soil

A number of factors are responsible for degradation of

soil. Some of them are discussed below:
Soil erosion:
Soil erosion is the wearing away and redistribution of
the earth’s soil layer.
 It is caused by the action of water, wind, ice, and human
activities.
The extent of soil erosion is dependent on a number of
factors. Some of the factors are distribution, intensity
and amount of rainfall; slope of the ground; the typology
of soil; the vegetative cover; and certain soil (mis)
management practices.
 Soil may not be able to absorb heavy rainfall.
 Heavy rainfall will result in erosion of soil layers due to
the activity of the run-off water..
 Soil Erosion

Ground with steep slopes will also accelerate

the run-off, thereby causing soil erosion
Rain water that falls on bare and loose soil will
lead to soil erosion by way of run-off.
 A land covered with vegetation, with the
network of roots, will hold the soil in place. The
vegetation also absorbs part of the rain,
thereby reducing the intensity of run-off.
Deforestation, unplanned developmental
activities, faulty drainage, wrong cultivation
practices, uncontrolled grazing by cattle are
other factors that lead to soil erosion.
 Factors for degradation of soil

Soil erosion is classified into geological erosion and

accelerated erosion.
(a) Geological erosion: Geological erosion is natural
erosion and is caused by the gradual removal of the
top soil by the natural processes. Through a balance
of erosion and renewal, equilibrium is brought out
between the physical, hydrological and the biological
activities.
(b) (b) Accelerated erosion.: Accelerated erosion occurs
due to man-made activities. This erosion is caused due
to deforestation, change in land use pattern, pressure
on land due to increase in population, unsustainable
methods of farming, over grazing and other
developmental activities. Normally, the rate of
accelerated erosion supersedes the rate of soil
formation.
 Factors for degradation of soil

Adoption of soil conservation methods can prevent soil

erosion. Some of the steps that can effectively check
soil erosion are the following:
1. Vegetation has the property of protecting the surface
soil from run-off water. As such planting of tree, soil
binding shrubs, etc. helps in the prevention of soil
erosion through run off water.
2. Planting of trees as wind breaks in the shelter bells
effectively checks erosion by the action of wind.
3. A network of drainage system will check uncontrolled
flow of water and help in preventing soil erosion.
4. Erosion due to floods can be effectively prevented by
the construction of bunds and check dams in a
scientific manner.
 Factors for degradation of soil

5. Bands, water ways, highways, and other similar areas

can be protected from erosion by planting grasses.
6. Agro-forestry is another step that helps in increasing
vegetative cover, enabling the intercepting of rain
water, and facilitate in the breakage of its impact on the
soil surface.
7. Scientific agronomic and farm practices, appropriate
land use patterns, etc. will also help in the prevention of
soil erosion.
8. Sea erosion can be effectively prevented by
constructing sea walls, planting
of mangrove trees, casuarina, etc.
 Factors for degradation of soil

 Soil salination:
Salination is the increase in the concentration of soluble
salts in the soil.
A number of factors contribute to the salinity. Some of
them are accumulation of dissolved salts due to poor
drainage, high rate of evaporation due to high
temperatures, etc. The high rate of soil salinity will
severely affect the water and nutrient absorption process
in the plants, leading to poor growth and productivity.
 Salinity of soil can be overcome by such activities like
improving the drainage systems, leaching the soils
with water, etc.
 Factors for degradation of soil

 Desertification:
 Desertification is a type of soil degradation that leads to
formation of deserts is defines as:
“a reduction or loss, in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-
humid areas; of the biological or economic productivity
and complexity of rain-fed crop land, irrigated cropland,
or range, pasture, forests, and woodlands resulting
from land uses or from a process or combination of
processes, including processes arising from human
activities and habitation patterns, such as:
(i) soil erosion caused by wind and/or water;
(ii) deterioration of the physical, chemical and
biological or economic
properties of soil; and
(iii) long-term loss of natural vegetation.”
 Factors for degradation of soil

Experiences around the globe show that the

desertification can be effectively reversed by
replanting trees in large numbers.
This will enable in enhancing the organic
content of the soil and resultant fertility.
Planting of grass also helps in stabilizing the
sand dunes, preventing further
desertification.
 Factors for degradation of soil

Urbanization:
Arable and productive areas of land, which
include forests, grasslands, wetlands,
croplands, and so on are getting degraded at
a rapid rate due to human activities like
increase in human settlements, and
industrialization. Planned and sustainable
development is the only alternative to this
malady
 Factors for degradation of soil

Soil pollution:
Pollutants like pesticides, chemicals,
industrial wastes, urban wastes and
radioactive wastes lead to degradation of the
soil in a large way. The pollutants affect the
physical, chemical and biological properties
of the soil and lead to reduced productivity
and fertility. The ways to combat soil
pollution is explained in later chapters.
 WATER

Water is an essential element for life to survive on

earth.
 Earth is the only known planet wherein water is
available in substantial qualities.
 It is the only inorganic liquid that occurs naturally on
earth. Further, water is the only compound that exists
in all the three physical states—solid, liquid and gas.
It is the medium in which all living processes occur.
It serves a number of purposes which include
dissolution of nutrients and its distribution to the cells
of living organisms, regulation of body temperature,
removal of wastes, etc.
The use of water by human beings has increased about
twice as fast as the growth of population.
 Water

Water is contained in hydrosphere that consists of

oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, glaciers, polar
ice caps, ground, etc.
Over two-third of the earth’s surface is covered with
water.
It is estimated that hydrosphere contains about
1,360 million cubic kiometres of water.
 Of the water available on the surface of earth, only
three per cent is fresh.
Further, nearly two per cent of the fresh water is
locked in glaciers and the polar ice caps. This leaves
only less than one per cent for human consumption
and other related uses.
 Water

This fresh water is contained in surface and ground

water sources.
Though the stock of water on the surface of earth
has been fairly constant throughout the geological
history, the ratio of ocean water to fresh water keeps
on changing based on a number of factors.
Of late, the phenomenon of global warming has led
to the melting of glaciers and ice caps, leading to
rising se levels and resultant increase in sea water.
Availability of fresh water is the biggest crises being
faced by the world today.
It is often commented that future wars will be fought
on the issue of water.
 Fresh Water Crisis

Fresh water availability is the biggest crisis that the

world is facing today.
The quantity of fresh water available per person has
been reducing day by day.
As on 1989, the amount of fresh water available per
person was 9000 cubic metres.
Due to rise in global population, it came down to
7800 cubic metres by the year 2000.
At this rate, the per capita availability of water is
expected to come down to about 5000
cubic metres by 2025.
 Fresh Water Crisis

 Change in demographics and the increase in consumption

as a result of rising per capita incomes are some of the
few issues that increase the pressure on water.
 Further, agriculture which draws about 70% of fresh
water is the largest consumer of fresh water.
 Any scarcity in water availability is sure to limit food
production and supply thereby putting undue pressure on
food prices.
 The quantity of water presently consumed by the
industrial sector is 22% (Nappier, Lawrence and Schwab,
2O07). This
also is set to increase in the immediate future.
The END
Food for thought