Ultrasound and sonochemistry in the treatment of contaminated soils by persistent organic pollutants

Soil contamination concerns a serious environmental problem all over the world because of its significance as a threat to health through the food system and groundwater. Contaminants could originate from the careless human activities and the accidental or deliberate spills or discharge from industrial, agricultural, urban, and maritime sources. Contaminants accumulate in soil and sediment receptors. Since soil is the medium that produces most of the food required for most living creatures, soil and sediment contamination is a major environmental issue because of its potential toxic effects on biological resources and eventually on human health. As a key component of environmental chemical cycles, soil contamination often contributes to water and air pollution. Any hazardous substance present in a soil matrix represents a threat to public health and ground water (Pamukcu and Huang, 2001). There are major types of pollutants found in soil and sediments: Nutrients, including phosphorous and nitrogen compounds such as ammonia.