Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides: Impacts on Soil Degradation, Groundwater, and Human Health in Bangladesh

Agrochemicals in the form of fertilizers and pesticides were thought of as a boon for humankind. However, the advancement of science brought to the fore the fact that chemical fertilizers and pesticides cause considerable harm to soil and subsequently to groundwater. With the burden of feeding a burgeoning global population, modern agriculture is heavily dependent on the extensive use of agrochemicals. Given the fact that the human population will likely reach ~9.7 billion by 2050, the importance of agrochemicals is more than ever before. However, these agrochemicals are inherently persistent in nature and may degrade soil health and the utility of groundwater for various purposes. Soil microbial communities that sustain different nutrient cycles are affected to a great extent by the persistence of these recalcitrant agrochemicals. As humans are dependent on soil and water for their survival, they are also exposed to health hazards stemming from these agrochemicals. Contaminated groundwater, if consumed for a considerable period, may cause many human health problems, including hormone disruption, reproductive abnormalities, and cancer, etc. This chapter aims at reviewing various impacts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on soil degradation, groundwater, and human health with some reference to Bangladesh perspective and suggesting ameliorative measures that would keep soil and associated ecosystems sustainable and lessen the health hazards for humans.