The best sound dampers consist of dense native vegetation that extends to the ground. If the scope of the problem is clear enough, the right policy response may not be so obvious. At first glance, the most logical solution would be to reduce transport volumes, which would address the source of noise pollution and provide additional benefits such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport and air pollution. On the other hand, other responses such as building new roads farther from homes may offer few secondary benefits or even worsen other environmental problems.
There is a growing body of literature on the causes and effects of soil pollution, as well as on the preventive and restorative measures being taken. While there are many causes of land pollution, the main contributors include garbage, waste, urbanization, construction, mining, extraction, and agriculture. By reducing demand for tickets, this helps ensure that flight volumes correctly balance society's desire to travel by plane with its desire to avoid noise and other forms of pollution. Meanwhile, extreme weather events such as hurricanes and floods can exacerbate the effects of soil pollution by dispersing or concentrating certain pollutants.
Unsustainable agricultural practices such as intensive cultivation and overgrazing can also deprive land of its natural nutrients, leaving it unviable for future harvests unless it is restored. The major contributors to agro-related land pollution include pesticide runoff, herbicides, fertilizers, and animal waste. However, this extraction and the methods used deplete the Earth's natural resources and in turn cause soil damage and pollution. This applies to holding companies responsible for the pollution they generate, encouraging them to limit their environmental impact with financial incentives.
Tanaka et al found that broad-leaved trees are more effective at blocking noise than trees with needle blades. Research shows that soft ground surfaces attenuate low-frequency noise while trees and shrubs attenuate high frequencies. This process helps to bind the soil together which helps protect it from soil pollution and prevents soil erosion and flooding. Finding solutions to soil pollution is not a matter of finding a magic formula but it will require efforts on multiple fronts.
The permeability of soil formations below waste can increase or reduce the risk of soil contamination. Since the use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture contributes greatly to land pollution, finding alternatives will help reduce environmental impact. Given the disastrous effects of soil pollution, it is crucial to take preventive measures to reduce its impact in the future.
