Soil Erosion

Deforestation generally increases rates of soil erosion, by increasing the amount of runoff and reducing the protection of the soil from tree litter. This can be an advantage in excessively leached tropical rain forest soils. Forestry operations themselves also increase erosion through the development of roads and the use of mechanized equipment.

Landslides

Tree roots bind soil together, and if the soil is sufficiently shallow they act to keep the soil in place by also binding with underlying bedrock. Tree removal on steep slopes with shallow soil thus increases the risk of landslides, which can threaten people living nearby.

Soil Erosion Impact on Economy

As worldwide environmental regulations become stricter, comprise those develop and sell pollution control technologies will gain a competitive advantage. Increased sales of pollution control products and processes would contribute to job creation and economically growth particularly in Manufacturing, Transportation and Utilities, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, and Mining sectors. These technologies also substantially contribute to lowering costs to research and development activities because they facilitate management of mixed wastes generated as an unavoidable by-product. Such wastes currently constitute a significant financial burden and potential liability for the RBD communities involved.

Waste elimination is part of pollution control. Waste elimination technologies contribute to the health of the population by providing a reduction in environmental causes of disease. As a larger waste disposal industry is created, these technologies also contribute to job creation and economic growth through the fabrication and sales of equipment based on these technologies.

Soil Erosion Impacts of Urbanizations

With increasing population and urbanization on earth, solid and liquid waste discharge is increasing tremendously, thus posing a great problem for their safe disposal. Increased industrialization is also aggravating waste disposal as inhabitants are also discharging their effluents into the domestic sewer system. The composition of final sewer water is highly variable, depending upon the quality and quantity of industrial effluents. In India, city solid waste is mostly used as landfill and exposed to sun and water. The infiltrating water can bring down soluble organic and inorganic pollutants and may pollute water aquifers. These aquifers, when exploited either for drinking or irrigation purposes, may lead to recycling of toxic substances, thus effecting the entire environment. With increased awareness of healthy environment, some city solid waste management plants have been installed and are generating good organic manure for field application. Sewer water is being used around the cities for crop production. Absorption of toxic metals varies within plant species and brings them into the food chain. Biomass carbon decreased from 333 to 113 mg/kg by increasing Ni content of soil from 26 to 2290 mg/kg, thus affecting the nutrient dynamics. Sewer treatment plants have been installed and sewage sludge is generated. Sewage sludge contains Cc, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cd, and As. Sewage sludge is used as organic manure for fertilizing crops thus affecting soil, water and crop quality. Options for proper management of city waste will be discussed to maintain a healthy environment.