About a third of the world’s richest soils are threatened by chemical and mine contamination that can permanently damage the area.
Ukrainian bombs, mines and other explosive devices kill some of the world’s most precious soil, causing danger, and release high levels of dangerous and widespread pollution that will alert experts to the area as potentially permanently damaged.
“The big problem right now is pollution. It’s a landmine. It’s just a massive mine,” Olena Lennon, a resident of the Department of National Security at New Haven University, told the Epoch Times. “The more urgent issue is who will fund and manage the delicate efforts in that field.”
Both Ukraine and Russia are responsible for mining explosives throughout the region, including cluster ammunition and anti-personnel equipment that US President Joe Biden sent to Ukraine last year.
Beyond the dangers of unexploded weapons, land pollution is also a concern from munitions, as it shows unfavourable consequences for soil health, even after the war is over.
Millions of small farmers have been affected by the intense fighting on Ukraine’s eastern border, with some explaining the impact of the conflict as the complete and complete devastation of the country’s agricultural industry, where more than 20% of Ukraine’s arable land is directly affected.
Ukrainian farmland contains about 30% of the world’s black soil. This is a nutritious topsoil with a high quality composition that allows for excellent moisture retention.
“It’s a very attractive land and the most fertile land,” says Frederic Mesault, policy director at the Auckland Institute, a think tank for social, economic and environmental policies, and enters the epoch era. “So it’s a very promising investment for those who want to create produce in Ukraine and export them.”
Ukraine’s precious soil, formed over thousands of years, contains a delicately balanced microbiome and nutrient profile that is threatened by war.
Most of the black soil is located in eastern Ukraine, and is heavily affected by the war with Russia, indicating that landmines are scattered throughout the area.
According to research from the Ukrainian Soil Science and Pesticide Research Institute, bombing and effects from shells interfere with fertile topsoil by placing soil layers and contributing to erosion.
Ukrainian mining experts will scan for unexploded weapons and mines on the main road to Carson, Ukraine on November 16, 2022. Murad Sezer/Reuters
Contamination from exploding, unexploded weapons includes toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury. All of these create potential health concerns and reduce plantable space.
“The happiness of the soil is directly transformed into the happiness of people,” Lennon said.
The long-standing conflict with Russia has threatened the prosperity of the region, with some people expressing concern that destruction is very widespread.
“Because of all the damages from war… the level of pollution is not repaired in some respects,” Lennon said. “Even if the farmers are willing to return, it will be very difficult because they cannot operate in the same mode.”
Finding solutions to bring the region back to its pre-war state is difficult, she said.
“Everyone who controls it, the problem is really not the problem because you can’t really throw money into the problem. There’s a high level of political solution aspect that’s not yet in place, and even a peace agreement doesn’t solve it,” Lennon said. “Even if we end up signing a ceasefire, I don’t think we’ll be able to access those soils, productive or profitable, because of how deeply contaminated it is.”
Ukraine and Russia consider agriculture to be essential for national security, and control of black soils is considered a valuable geopolitical asset.
