About the large-scale soil damage due to hostilities, the lack of systematic data on their condition, and the preparation of scientific solutions for post-war recovery is discussed in an interview with scientists of the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine for the information agency "Ukrinform".
According to the director of the Botanical Garden, corresponding member of the NAS of Ukraine Natalia Zaimenko, comprehensive soil studies have not been conducted in Ukraine for decades, and the biological condition and content of toxic substances have essentially remained outside systematic attention. The full-scale war has only exacerbated this problem.
Senior Researcher of the Botanical Garden, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences Timur Bedernichek notes that the analysis of soil samples from combat zones shows significant contamination with explosive substances and corrosion products of ammunition. Unexploded and partially detonated ordnance pose a particular danger, as they can remain in the soil even after demining.
Deputy Director of the Botanical Garden, corresponding member of the NAS of Ukraine Djamal Rakhmetov emphasizes that alongside damage analysis, applied research on phytoremediation – soil restoration using technical, intermediate, and bioenergy crops – is being conducted in the garden. Such plants allow for the gradual cleansing of the soil from explosive substances and heavy metals and the development of practical scenarios for its return to safe use.
More details – in the FULL INTERVIEW VERSION.