Explanation:

The phenomenon by virtue of which a soil is dogged with sewage matter is called sewage sickness. This refers to the contamination of soil with sewage or wastewater, which can have negative effects on the soil's fertility and overall health.

Causes of Sewage Sickness:

- Sewage Leakage: Sewage sickness can occur when there is a leakage or seepage of sewage into the soil. This can happen due to damaged or faulty sewage pipes, overflowing septic tanks, or improper disposal of wastewater.

- Inadequate Treatment: If sewage is not properly treated before being discharged into the soil, it can contain harmful contaminants such as pathogens, heavy metals, and organic pollutants. These contaminants can negatively impact the soil's health.

- Overloading of Soil: When the amount of sewage or wastewater exceeds the soil's capacity to absorb and treat it, sewage sickness can occur. This can happen in areas with high population densities or insufficient sewage infrastructure.

Effects of Sewage Sickness:

- Soil Contamination: The presence of sewage in the soil can contaminate the soil with harmful pathogens and pollutants. This can pose a risk to human health, as well as the health of plants and animals that come into contact with the contaminated soil.

- Nutrient Imbalance: Sewage contains high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When these nutrients are present in excess in the soil, it can lead to nutrient imbalances and nutrient pollution. This can affect plant growth and can also contribute to water pollution when the excess nutrients leach into groundwater or surface water.

- Decreased Soil Fertility: Sewage sickness can lead to a decrease in soil fertility over time. The presence of contaminants can inhibit the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms and can also disrupt nutrient cycling processes in the soil.

- Odor and Aesthetic Issues: Sewage-contaminated soil can have a foul odor and can be visually unappealing. This can negatively impact the quality of life for people living or working in the area.

Prevention and Remediation:

- Proper Sewage Treatment: It is important to ensure that sewage is properly treated before being discharged into the soil. This can involve the use of wastewater treatment plants or other appropriate treatment methods to remove contaminants and pathogens.

- Regular Maintenance: Sewage infrastructure should be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent leaks or overflows that can lead to sewage sickness.

- Soil Remediation: If sewage sickness occurs, soil remediation techniques may be necessary to restore the soil's health. This can involve measures such as soil aeration, addition of organic matter, and the use of appropriate soil amendments to improve soil structure and fertility.

Conclusion:

Sewage sickness is a phenomenon that occurs when soil becomes contaminated with sewage or wastewater. It can have negative effects on soil fertility and overall soil health. Proper sewage treatment and maintenance of sewage infrastructure are important to prevent sewage sickness. If sewage sickness occurs, soil remediation techniques may be necessary to restore the soil's health.