Ukrainian scientists have come to the conclusion that the war has led to soil pollution on large tracts of agricultural land, which could negatively affect agricultural production in decades to come.
Researchers who studied soil samples taken from the Kharkiv region found “high concentrations of toxins such as mercury and arsenic from ammunition and fuel”.
Scientists from Ukraine’s Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry have concluded that the war has led to the degradation of at least 10.5 million hectares of agricultural land across Ukraine.
“Two dozen experts who spoke to Reuters, including soil scientists, farmers, grain companies and analysts, said it would take decades to undo the damage to Europe’s breadbasket, including including pollution, mines and destroyed infrastructure, and this could affect food supply for the global market for years to come,” the agency said in a statement.
Institute director Svyatoslav Balyuk said the damage could reduce Ukraine’s grain harvest by 10 to 20 million tonnes a year, up to a third of pre-war production.
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