World’s Soil Resources

Contamination of soil by heavy metals is also an issue (Misak, Khalaf and Omar, 2009). In central Iran,
farmers are extensively using sewage sludge as a fertilizer for vegetable production and, in the absence of
regulation, heavy metals tend to accumulate in the soil (Afyuni, Rezaeinejad and Schulin, 2006). The so-called
‘global dust belt’ that extends from the west coast of North Africa, through the Middle East into Central Asia
(see Section 7.4) transports mineral dust in the region. This dust may carry contaminants and this has been in
fact the main source of soil pollution with heavy metals in the Arabian Peninsula. The dust was found to carry
high levels of lead (65 mg kg -1 in Muscat, 742 mg kg -1 in Bahrain and 1762 mg kg -1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) and
nickel (43 to 3033 mg kg–1 in Muscat) (Yaghi and Abdul-Wahab, 2004).
In general, soil contamination depends on the distribution of contaminants influenced by high intensity
rainfall of short duration that results in short runoff, by dust storms, and by human induced factors such as
mixing residual oil with soil, transport to new areas and dumping in selected sites.
Responses to soil contamination
Regional policies for combating desertification
Most NENA countries have policies and programmes for protection of natural resources, including
combating desertification. However, many of these policies and programmes (e.g. in Jordan) emphasize
protective measures, and do not adequately consider rehabilitation or the dimension of the economic and
social cost of land degradation (Al Karadsheh, Akroush and Mazahreh, 2012).
Iran has implemented nine strategies for sustainable development. Egypt has strategies for each agroecological
zone. Lebanon has initiated a large-scale reforestation program and is very active in fighting the root
causes behind land degradation, mainly by promoting the development of rural areas and reducing regional
disparities. The national efforts to combat desertification in Oman have concentrated on development and
conservation of water resources, improvement of land capability and rehabilitation of rangeland. Saudi Arabia
has programmed an array of activities including capacity building, controlling urbanization, sustainable
agricultural development, improvement of water sector, legislation, rehabilitation of degraded rangelands,
forest development and sand dune stabilization. Sudan is integrating strategies for poverty alleviation with
programmes to combat desertification and these include activities for improvement of land resources,
production systems and protection of the environment. Syria has implemented many projects aimed at
expansion of plant cover, controlling desert invasion, establishment of protected areas and green oases,
sand dune fixation and afforestation. United Arab Emirates has ambitious programmes to improve degraded
ecological systems, conserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change effects, and combat desertification.
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in the Near East and North Africa