Introduction

Soil plays an extremely important role since it produces food for all. The word soil is derived from a Latin word Solum meaning earthy materials in which plants grow. It is defined as a weathered layer of the earth’s crust with living organisms and their products of decay. Good quality of soil and an appropriate congenial climate besides water are a must for the production of food materials on which the survival of mankind depends. However, human activities, e.g., deforestation, mining, destruction of grazing lands, industrial discharges etc., are responsible for severe pollution of soil. Many pollutants like insecticides, fertilizers, etc. add to the problem of soil pollution. Soil also plays a vital role in environmental chemical cycles.

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