Agricultural and military transformation of the black earth and its reclamation

Abstract

Oleksandr Mytsyk, Oleksandr Havriushenko, Sergey Shevchenko, Oleksandr Tsyliuryk, Vitalii Rudas, Oleksandr Kurshakov, Vitalii Hrabko and David Dent

Under conditions of intensive anthropogenic impact caused by developed industry, agriculture, and military actions, the problem of chernozem degradation has become particularly relevant. Changes in the morphogenetic characteristics, chemical composition, and physico-chemical properties of the soil require a detailed analysis to develop effective reclamation strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of chernozem degradation under the influence of artillery shelling and agricultural use and to evaluate the possibilities for its reclamation. The methods included field studies, soil sampling in the Bakhmut and Siversk regions, agrochemical analysis according to the methodology of Balyuk and Yatsuk, determination of physico-chemical properties, and assessment of heavy metal content using ICP-MS spectrometry. The results demonstrated significant changes in humus content, macro- and microelement composition. The crater formed by a 152-mm artillery shell explosion was characterised by a catastrophic decline in humus content (0.65% compared to 4.27% in arable land and 5.16% in virgin soil). An increase in pH to 8.44, a 8.9-fold rise in mobile sulphur concentration, and a sharp increase in heavy metal content were observed. Particularly critical was the arsenic content, exceeding the Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) by 5.7 times, indicating severe military-technogenic contamination. Additionally, local depletion of nitrate nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium in the explosion zone was recorded, significantly reducing the soil’s fertility potential. The conclusions confirm that military actions cause severe disruptions in agroecosystems. Effective land reclamation should involve a phased restoration of soil structure through green manuring, organic fertilisation, and the implementation of adaptive land-use systems.