ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY PRIORITIES FOR EASTERN UKRAINE
Post-2013, analysis of water from the mouth of the Kazennyi Torets showed an increased concentration of copper. Also, oil-based products were observed in the Siverskyi Donets in the vicinity of the town Lysychansk, as well as in virtually all the rivers included in the study, with the highest concentrations found in the the Kazennyi Torets and the Kryvyi Torets. The absence of clear conclusions about the impact of armed conflict on the quality of surface water may be attributed to the fact that water samples are taken at specific locations once a month or per hydrological phase, rendering the “interception” of local accident-sourced pollutants problematic. Once the source of pollution is removed (e.g., damaged water treatment facilities are repaired), the self-cleaning capacity of natural waters subsequently restores water quality to pre-accident levels. For more conclusive readings, rapid monitoring tools would be required to identify the effects of short-term pollutant exposure, like that encountered during armed conflict. Source: Yu. Nabyvanets, Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine24; Donbas Environmental Information System (OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine). 34
DIRECT POLLUTION IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE HOSTILITIES
Data from the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue on the quality of ground water confirmed high levels of pollution, however an absence of comparing measured results against background or historical values precludes definitive statements on the effects of the conflict on ground water. Nonetheless, a comparison of recent Siverskyi Donets BAWR data on the concentrations of metals in sediments drawn from the Karlivka and Kleban-Byk water reservoirs with pre-conflict (2008) levels demonstrates a five-fold increase in the concentration of non-radioactive strontium and significantly elevated concentrations of barium (13,000 to 15,000 times). These substances are commonly used in industrial processes, but are also standard components of modern munitions25. Conversely, sediment comparisons of concentrations of iron, chromium, zinc, copper, and titanium taken from these reservoirs show decreases in the levels of these elements26. Depending on the nature and efficiency of the territory’s rehabilitation in the future, with gradual decomposition of the fragments of munitions, machinery, and infrastructural facilities remaining in the ground, it is reasonable to expect a release of pollutants into the environment over a long period of time27. This will require long-term monitoring of the delayed consequences of the conflict.