Pollution of the atmosphere, soil and water resources as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Abstract

Pollution of the atmosphere, soil, and water resources in Ukraine resulting from the Russian-Ukrainian war is a problem that requires immediate resolution, as the ecocide’s consequences on the environment will be long-lasting and have a global impact. The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of active military actions on the atmospheric air, water resources of Kharkiv and Kharkiv Region, and the soils of the Ivory Coast of Sviatoslav National Nature Park in Mykolaiv Region by assessing their eco-geochemical state. The study of the impact of fires on the soil properties of the Ivory Coast of Sviatoslav National Nature Park using potentiometric, luminescence-bituminological, and spectrofluorometric methods revealed that the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is the highest in pyrogenic areas, where low molecular weight PAHs are predominant; high molecular weight PAHs are also present, indicating recent burning of the territory. It was found that the PAH content is lower at microelevations. The aspiration method was used to investigate the atmosphere. It was shown that the level of air pollution in Kharkiv is low at all observation points, with a level of less than 5 on the scale of the air pollution index. It was found that the largest number of exceedances in the water bodies of the Kharkiv Region was recorded for such pollutants as sulphates (recorded at 17 points), ammonium nitrogen (at 16 points), biochemical oxygen demand (at 14 points), and dissolved oxygen (at 11 points). In all the most polluted water bodies, the maximum permissible concentration exceedances were recorded for 4, 3, and 2 hydrochemical indicators. The study results can be used in practice by ecologists to develop and implement measures to improve the ecological condition of the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine