Soil pollution can result in decreased

Options

A. Soil productivity
B. Quality of plants
C. Purity of ground water
D. All of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Soil Pollution**: Soil pollution, also known as soil contamination, refers to the degradation of soil quality due to the presence of harmful substances. This is a significant aspect of land degradation.

2. **Causes of Soil Pollution**: The primary causes of soil pollution include the introduction of human-made chemicals, known as xenobiotics. These include pesticides, herbicides, and excessive fertilizers that are used to enhance agricultural productivity.

3. **Effects on Soil Quality**: The introduction of these chemicals compromises the quality of the soil. Nutrients that are essential for plant growth can be destroyed or depleted due to the presence of these substances.

4. **Impact on Plant Growth**: As a result of decreased soil quality, the growth of plants is adversely affected. Plants may not receive the necessary nutrients they require for healthy growth, leading to reduced productivity.

5. **Water Purity**: Soil pollution also affects the purity of groundwater. Contaminants can leach into the water supply, reducing its quality and making it unsafe for consumption.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, soil pollution can lead to decreased soil productivity, lower quality of plants, and reduced purity of groundwater. The correct answer to the question is that all of these factors are affected by soil pollution.

**Final Answer**: All of the above (Option D).

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