Introduction
Land pollution in general refers to the accumulation of waste materials on land or underground that contaminate the soil and groundwater, and possibly harm human, plant, and animal health. Soil is an unconsolidated mineral, rocks fragments, or organic materials formed from natural weathering processes; it is found in the immediate surface of the air and serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. Soil is one of the main substrata of life on Earth, acting as a reservoir of water and nutrients. It is also a participant in the cycling of carbon and other elements through the global ecosystem. Groundwater is water found below the surface of the Earth.
There is a wide variety of materials that cause land pollution. For example, municipal solid waste (or refuse) which includes nonhazardous waste from homes, institutions, commercial establishments, and industrial facilities. Another source of land pollution is construction and demolition waste or debris which includes wood, metal objects, concrete, and other materials produced by building, renovating, or demolishing structures. Hazardous waste is a harmful form of land pollution generated by various chemical companies, petroleum refineries, and many other industries or commercial facilities.
Assignment
Consult the information provided in the links Contaminated LandLinks to an external site., Soil HealthLinks to an external site. and the attached article “Soil and water pollution and human health: what should cardiologists worry about?” to answer the following:
Give examples of activities or events that produce land contamination and describe some categories of contaminated lands.
Explain different ways that land contamination poses health and environmental hazards.
Describe the essential functions that soil performs as a living ecosystem to sustain plants, animals, and humans; and how healthy soil is essential for human health.
Make sure to:
Write a short essay or paragraph of at least 300 words. 
Use concrete examples/details and avoid generalities.
Address all questions.
Use proper grammar and punctuation.
If you do your own research, include at least 2 references in your discussion and cite your sources.
Do not plagiarize.
You will not be able to edit your assignment once you post, so please proofread and spell check before hitting post!
As part of the assignment, you must also reply to ONE (10 points) of your classmates with at least 150 words. You will have to POST FIRST (90 points) to see your classmates’ postings. Make sure your replies are thoughtful and relevant to what your classmate has posted. Try to build the discussion and keep it going.