There exists a reciprocal and symbiotic relationship between the earth’s soil and earth’s life forms. The decay of all forms of matter continually contributes to soil production. Simultaneously, living organisms use the soil and the substance therein to perpetuate their lives. Moreover, a typical acre of soil contains thousands of pounds of life forms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. These organisms are largely responsible for generating the decay of “animal and plant residues” in the soil. They are also credited with modifying nitrogen for absorption by plants and for the oxidation and reduction processes in minerals that are used by plants.

Often, soil contains incredible numbers of mites and “wingless insects” known as springtails. Each year, these tiny organisms digest tons of discarded plant foliage and mix the decomposed matter back into the soil. Other creatures also make enormous, but largely unnoticed, contributions to healthy soil production. One primary example is the earthworm. These underappreciated inhabitants of the soil are responsible for transporting tons of soil over the ground. In addition, their active and energetic routine of burrowing in and out of soil serves other beneficial purposes. The industry of the earthworm aerates the soil, aiding plant roots in soil penetration and supporting soil drainage systems. Finally, the tiny earthworm enriches the soil with excretory wastes from its digestive tract. Consequently, the earthworm serves as an ideal illustration of the reciprocal relationship between the organisms whose lives are sustained by the soil and their beneficial contributions to healthy soil production.

Concerns have arisen regarding the effects of chemicals on these soil-dependent organisms. Sterilants, insecticides, and fungicides are used to destroy specific populations that inhabit the soil. They also contaminate the soil and expose a variety of soil-inhabiting creatures to poisons. Despite the growing concern,

this critically important subject of the ecology of the soil has been largely neglected even by scientists.

The impact of insecticides on the soil has yielded inconsistent results. It seems that the extent of the damage to the soil varies by soil type. Therefore, one type of soil could be negatively affected to a greater extent than another would. Nonetheless, there are measurable and irrefutable damages that can result from the introduction of pesticides into the earth’s soil. For instance, the process of nitrification can be inhibited by the herbicide _2,4-D. Nitrification is important because it provides plants with the nitrogen they require for life. Other chemicals such as “lindane, heptachlor, and benzene hexachloride (BHC)” can potentially interrupt the nitrification process in as little as two weeks. Sometimes the chemicals prevent bacteria or other organisms from successfully performing functions that are essential to plant life. As a result, some soil populations are eradicated while others experience a population explosion. The exploding populations now have the potential to increase so quickly that they become harmful pests.

Because the chemicals used in pesticides take decades or longer to break down, once chemicals have been introduced into the soil, they remain long after their intended task has been accomplished. Aldrin has been shown to remain in soil for four years after use, toxaphene has been discovered after ten years, BHC remains present for eleven years, heptachlor has been found after nine years, and chlordane has been identified twelve years following its initial application. Still, the persistent presence of these chemicals is not the only startling concern.

Time has proven that insecticides remain lethal agents long after they are introduced to the soil; they do not simply perform a function and dissipate. In fact, many chemical insecticides and pesticides intensify their effect over time. To illustrate, consider the...