A Review of the Role of Anthropogenic Effects on Microorganisms in Soil

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are progressively releasing pollutants to the soil, including heavy metals and other pollutants emanating from industries and overpopulated human settlements. Pollution by heavy metals and other physicochemical materials is gradually becoming an area of concern, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper reviews the effects of anthropogenic activities on soil ecosystem integrity including physicochemical parameters as well as biological parameters in the soil. The review focuses on impact of the application of fertilisers in soil and seasonal influence in levels of physicochemical parameters in soil ecosystem as well as microorganism population shifts in soils affected by pollution as a need to alleviate soil contamination. The review established gaps to further understanding of the relationship between soil physicochemical parameters, soil biological parameters and influence of seasonality in the resilience of the soil ecosystem as a way to foster the integrity of soil.