Estimation of the content of trace metals in Ukrainian military-affected soils

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of military activities on Ukraine's soil resources, particularly heavy metal contamination. As a primary resource for agricultural production, soil undergoes significant influence from military activities, posing environmental challenges for the rational use of land. Special attention was paid to evaluating the content of chemical elements in combat zones. The research methodology included soil sampling from ten locations in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. Samples were collected from craters, slopes, and control areas located 20 meters away. The analysis was performed using a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer (pXRF), enabling the determination of 27 chemical elements. The results showed significant variability in the concentrations of heavy metals such as barium, zirconium, manganese, strontium, rubidium, and zinc. In many cases, the concentration of metals in crater samples was lower or comparable to control areas, indicating the influence of local anthropogenic factors, such as the application of mineral fertilizers, but not always military actions. This indicates that while military activities contribute to environmental disruption, non-military factors also play a role in shaping soil composition. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to land restoration should consider both the direct impacts of military actions and broader environmental influences, with strategies tailored to the specific conditions of each affected region.