{"id":3051,"date":"2024-05-25T12:49:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-25T19:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/?p=3051"},"modified":"2024-05-26T12:52:17","modified_gmt":"2024-05-26T19:52:17","slug":"soil-condition-in-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/eternal-3051-soil-condition-in-los-angeles","title":{"rendered":"Soil condition in Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It can be challenging to maintain healthy soil in cities such as Los Angeles. In heavily populated and largely built-up areas, human activity alters the soil in a number of ways, including covering it with buildings, roads and other sidewalks. The absence of organic matter, as well as compaction by pedestrian traffic, play a key role in forming soil that is incapable of providing valuable ecosystem services. Allowing soil to degrade can be a &#8220;disservice&#8221; to urban communities, for example, by causing erosion and pollution, among other problems. One such instance is the 1930s Dust Bowl, which was caused by recycled agricultural soil. This resulted in the depletion of valuable topsoil required for food production. The condition of the soil is also affected by industry, in particular the <a href=\"https:\/\/losangeles1.one\/uk\/eternal\/naftopererobnyj-zavod-u-los-andzhelesi-2818\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oil refinery in Los Angeles<\/a>. Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/\">los-angeles.name<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0b1b408cafd\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0b1b408cafd\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/eternal-3051-soil-condition-in-los-angeles\/#Soil_issues_in_Los_Angeles\" >Soil issues in Los Angeles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/eternal-3051-soil-condition-in-los-angeles\/#Soil_contamination_in_different_areas_of_the_city\" >Soil contamination in different areas of the city<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/eternal-3051-soil-condition-in-los-angeles\/#Improving_the_soil_condition\" >Improving the soil condition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/eternal-3051-soil-condition-in-los-angeles\/#Parkway_Land_residential_area\" >Parkway Land residential area<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Soil_issues_in_Los_Angeles\"><\/span>Soil issues in Los Angeles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The dense development of the city has resulted in soil issues. Among them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contamination. The soil containing substances that pose a risk to human health, such as lead, pesticide residues, petroleum products and asbestos, is considered contaminated. In urban settings, this is usually caused by improper disposal of industrial waste, such as lead, one of the most common soil pollutants. The soil can be contaminated with lead due to industrial waste and particles trapped in the soil from lead paint peeling, incinerators and car emissions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compaction. Covering or &#8220;sealing&#8221; the soil with impermeable surfaces like concrete, asphalt and other urban areas like buildings and roads deprives the soil of important natural cycles. This disrupts the water cycle because precipitation has nowhere to go, preventing rainwater from infiltrating groundwater. This disturbs the nutrient cycle by preventing fallen leaves and branches from decomposing and providing nutrients to the ground, which are necessary for healthy plants and trees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Erosion. When soil is compacted, plant life dies, and water that rushes to the earth from fixed surfaces drains. This causes erosion. It affects and destroys the soil&#8217;s ability to retain water and produce healthy plants. In some areas of the city, this includes erosion induced by fire, which occurs when the soil is altered by a forest fire. Forest fires destroy vegetation, leaving the soil bare, hard and incapable of retaining water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climate change. Urban soils are affected by climate changes such as prolonged droughts or extreme temperatures. Exposed soil dries out, diminishing its ability to retain moisture and absorb water. This limits the quantity of water available in the soil, resulting in deterioration and erosion, as well as affecting the soil&#8217;s ability to support plants and trees that provide urban cooling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2024\/05\/zdwigllwkhgsnv7drkeup5uvdttoezz4jvqdxpa_vmgufcm1tpyfdv2x4uxxvltt1wk9iwzmnille7vp4qalf_xxg9b8xgr9jbp5xmswa5q25ls415qx97lhvklfwhymluxrjrkqbwglrhwnalgfu2e.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Soil_contamination_in_different_areas_of_the_city\"><\/span>Soil contamination in different areas of the city<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lead-acid batteries used in automobiles, motorcycles and machinery must be disposed of appropriately to avoid contamination of the soil and water. The sulfuric acid used in these batteries is highly corrosive, and lead negatively affects people&#8217;s health, especially children&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For decades, similar industrial pollution has happened in southern Los Angeles, namely in the city of Vernon, which is home to one of the largest manufacturers, distributors and processors of lead-acid batteries. In April 2013, officials warned more than 110,000 residents of the area that arsenic discharged by the plant increases the risk of cancer. According to tests conducted in March 2014, the soils of the surrounding settlements contained high levels of lead. By 2015, the facility had been closed due to large-scale cleanup and soil restoration efforts. The corporation has gone bankrupt, and the state of California is now responsible for a large cleanup of lead and other harmful pollutants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2024\/05\/a38p8uw4az5llcavulc0z-aa5bgwifyb02iygbzxalbkshlnzqwx2s7kjor3jjd8xraaipwgefmnvylurf5xzwydmwqxuot9dg_hcmpli5iz4vec1-ulehtegi5o7nhlwjlr6lsyg30xobvivx0eimq.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Environmental justice organizations, including Communities for a Better Environment and East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, have long expressed concern about the pollution caused by the company&#8217;s installation. Through legal advocacy and organizational efforts, its members raised community awareness and worked with air quality regulators to pass new amendments to the regulations. This is necessary to reduce the impact and emissions of lead from major lead-acid battery recycling factories while also protecting human health and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improving_the_soil_condition\"><\/span>Improving the soil condition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In an urban environment, open spaces such as parks, boulevards, courtyards and others may sustain healthy and fertile soil. Imagining Los Angeles covered in healthy soils means picturing it with a rich diversity of plants and wildlife that unlocks the land&#8217;s potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soil has a distinct role in the useful infrastructure of the urban ecological system. Similarly, urban trees are regarded as &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; that helps regulate air temperature and improves air quality. Biological reservoirs and cisterns are known as &#8220;blue infrastructure,&#8221; which supports water quality and quantity, whereas &#8220;brown infrastructure&#8221; provides soil-related ecosystem services. It acts as a link between blue and green infrastructure, supporting the urban ecosystem. It also has the potential to improve the quality and health of urban life through the expansion of green areas and parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2024\/05\/bay7wd4linopnyi7kzm4fs8trkrwfrf4oohnwrawul05w8xmecxv2z0abfz88o8x0zjuevtoqw-olrslarhdkqyuh6l2irrs0ucbf2xvzm070ygxxjxra6fywvjatwq_qgsryiuoxdyhpeb71w3zssy.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The city government of Los Angeles decided to disseminate knowledge about the importance of soil in the urban environment. People in the community discuss the condition of the soil and what is required to keep it healthy in and around the area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The general plan of the city authorities includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Raising awareness of the soil issues through sharing experiences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discussing the connection between the problem of healthy soil and other community issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discussing ideas to help the community improve soil quality, such as establishing a community compost center.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parkway_Land_residential_area\"><\/span>Parkway Land residential area<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For decades, communities throughout Los Angeles have worked to rehabilitate the land on which they live to address food security, hazardous substances, and a lack of green space. Although many initiatives have successfully converted vacant lawns into gastronomic gardens and empty lots into public parks, there still remains a significant amount of undeveloped land that is rarely used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2024\/05\/xrv1rdseenx16-ar94ti-6bkzj9qls0oi6nisotz0newhem92cm1yclevouabogjgj1g4hkzvopcfjsfdfg8ivf7vgtvyloualdbkuvwhxnbpx6n7899gn4nb2n7k9i1js0ilsqblqwpxtomjv4d_oc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In Los Angeles, the front yards of the residents&#8217; houses feature park paths, which are strips of land between sidewalks and streets. They usually contain compacted soil that is covered in grass or greenery. Therefore, there is some advice on how to maintain this area properly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Removing grass and replacing it with native plant soil.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using compost, mulch and cover crops to repair the soil.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planting of agricultural and medicinal crops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planting trees that provide additional benefits to the ecosystem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Restored alleys have a notable impact on the surrounding ecology and can even give extra benefits such as increased mental and physical health.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It can be challenging to maintain healthy soil in cities such as Los Angeles. In heavily populated and largely built-up areas, human activity alters the soil in a number of ways, including covering it with buildings, roads and other sidewalks. The absence of organic matter, as well as compaction by pedestrian traffic, play a key [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":325,"featured_media":2981,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[335],"tags":[2169,2165,2159,2167,2166,2158,2171,2162,2164,2163,2160,2170,2168,2161],"motype":[325],"moformat":[22],"moimportance":[30,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-3051","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovations","8":"tag-and-water-that-rushes-to-the-earth-from-fixed-surfaces-drains","9":"tag-as-well-as-compaction-by-pedestrian-traffic","10":"tag-in-los-angeles","11":"tag-plant-life-dies","12":"tag-play-a-key-role-in-forming-soil-that-is-incapable-of-providing-valuable-ecosystem-services","13":"tag-soil-condition-in-los-angeles","14":"tag-soil-contamination-in-different-areas-of-the-city","15":"tag-soil-issues-in-los-angeles","16":"tag-the-absence-of-organic-matter","17":"tag-the-dense-development-of-the-city-has-resulted-in-soil-issues-among-them","18":"tag-the-front-yards-of-the-residents-houses-feature-park-paths","19":"tag-urban-soils-are-affected-by-climate-changes-such-as-prolonged-droughts-or-extreme-temperatures","20":"tag-when-soil-is-compacted","21":"tag-which-are-strips-of-land-between-sidewalks-and-streets","22":"motype-eternal","23":"moformat-longrid-korotka","24":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","25":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/325"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3051"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3052,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051\/revisions\/3052"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3051"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3051"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3051"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}