Soil Degradation in Combat Zones Over a Decade of War in Ukraine

Ukraine is a militarily tense region of Europe with devastating consequences for the environment, primarily involving significant soil disturbance. The impact of military operations leads to changes in soil parameters. In the study initiated in 2017, focusing on the occupied territory of southeastern Ukraine and later expanding to include other regions with the onset of the full-scale invasion, we collected and analysed 1,087 soil samples. Each sample, starting from February 2022, was classified based on the intensity of hostilities at the sampling site using open data on conflict intensity and information from local military administrations.

The prevailing assumption that the duration and intensity of hostilities are the primary cause of substantial environmental degradation is not always supported by the evidence.

 This study aimed to evaluate the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and other pollutants in war-affected soils of various land use and to ascertain the correlation between the nature of military impact and the extent of contamination.

A comprehensive analysis of soil pollutants was conducted using a range of analytical techniques, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES (PTEs), high-performance liquid chromatography (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), gas chromatography with electron capture detection (polychlorinated biphenyls) and gravimetric method (hydrocarbons). A selection of samples was also employed to investigate the soil's physical and chemical properties, including electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and pH levels.

The findings of this study demonstrate that the level of soil contamination in war-affected areas does not always directly correlate with the overall duration or intensity of hostilities. In some cases, more severe impacts may have occurred in conflict-affected areas with less intense or shorter-duration hostilities.

Areas with low levels of military activity may exhibit higher contamination levels due to specific characteristics or complex combinations of impact types. For instance, the destruction of industrial facilities (e.g., chemical plants, sewage treatment plants, and fuel depots) often leads to higher levels of contamination compared to areas with higher-intensity hostilities. This results in the formation of military-technogenic geochemical anomalies with varying spectra of explosives and other PTEs.

The analytical data revealed elevated and abnormal concentrations of total phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), barium (Ba), hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These contaminants can adversely affect soil productivity and health. The data not only indicates that the conflict has led to soil contamination with PTEs exceeding legal limits and the natural regional background but also show that ongoing hostilities are contributing to increased contaminant levels in groundwater in areas with low and medium levels of groundwater protection, posing additional risks to public health.

The armed conflict presents significant challenges for studying soils in areas with diverse levels and types of military impact. Nevertheless, we are committed to documenting and analysing these impacts. We are confident that the results of these studies will provide a solid foundation for developing land remediation plans in post-war communities.