Trajectory of air quality in Ukraine

International Journal of Environmental Studies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 81(1), P. 239 - 249

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

In the course of Russia's war on Ukraine, fierce forest fires, burning oil and ammunition depots destruction urban industrial areas have spread hazardous combustion products far wide are accelerating global heating. Measures to stabilise national environmental situation, prevent a larger-scale ecological disaster, should combine efforts managerial, regulatory practical efforts, with priority given preventive measures. There is need for improved methodology assessing loss damage, as well procedures bring perpetrators justice. absence unified system monitoring air quality, we consider opportunities adopting an effective system.

Language: Английский

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Long-term trends (compared to the pre-war period) and public health impact of surface ozone in Ukraine

Wiadomości Lekarskie, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 77(4), P. 703 - 709

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Aim: To analyze the dynamics of ambient air pollution by surface O3 (in pre-war and wartime periods) assess its impact on public health in order to provide proposals aimed at developing preventive programs. Materials Methods: Physical chemical methods analysis (О3 – gas analyzers APDA-370 HORIBA, meteorological sensor WS-600); risk assessment (AirQ+); statistical data processing (StatSoft STATISTICA 10.0 portable, MicrosoftR Excel). Results: Air quality monitoring peak season 2021 2022 detected exceedances daily maximum 8-hour ozone (O3) concentration. This resulted a for exposed population during 70 % (174 days) 84 (181 observations, respectively. The exceedance levels were 1.7 2.1 times higher than recommended limit. Estimated number excess cases natural respiratory mortality over 30 years due long-term exposure: 227 (95 CI: 0; 450) 22 54), Predictive assessments pollution’s activities suggest an average increase 40 additional deaths from non-communicable diseases. Conclusions: Obtained results can serve as basis development medical environmental measures implementing adaptation conditions global climate change wartime.

Language: Английский

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Criminalizing reprisals against the natural environment

International Review of the Red Cross, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 105(924), P. 1463 - 1496

Published: Aug. 11, 2023

Abstract Throughout history, armed conflicts have frequently seen serious harm committed against the natural environment. From early 1960s to 1971, United States used Agent Orange defoliate large tracts of Vietnamese forests. In 1990s, Saddam Hussein vengefully ordered burning Kuwaiti oil wells, resulting in massive pollution air, land and surrounding seas. More recently, ecocentric has been documented Colombian civil war, by so-called Islamic State group, Ukraine conflict, among others. Whilst international humanitarian law (IHL) contains several prohibitions environmental harm, most striking is Article 55(2) Additional Protocol I, whereby “[a]ttacks environment way reprisals are prohibited”. Although this provision appears absolute unconditional, critical questions persist regarding its status under customary applicability non-international conflicts. Moreover, criminalization not explored jurisprudence courts or relevant scholarly literature, despite fact that penal sanctions individuals an important factor for enforcement protections. To fill lacuna, following analysis examines prohibition It reviews conventional determine current a putative criminal potential as lex ferenda . Importantly, it also assesses relevance prosecutions existing war crimes, such attacks on civilian objects destruction enemy property. generates novel insights application including (1) per se , but (2) conceptualizing object opens up clear paths prosecuting attacks, reprisals, it; (3) inherently intentional nature far-reaching implications their prosecution; (4) can significantly impact pivotal test military necessity which arises found 8(2)(b)(iv) Rome Statute; (5) situations could proposed definition ecocide. Traversing IHL (ICL), article identifies ways these traditionally anthropocentric bodies be reoriented accommodate values. This reconceptualization significant, prospect deterring perpetrators potentially adds basis reparations designed remediate damage The assessment redresses peripheral matter both ICL remained under-explored ongoing wrought during conflict. seeks elevate core protected value legal regimes, reflection our increasing awareness well-being future generations growing appreciation intrinsic importance protecting nature.

Language: Английский

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The spatial dynamics of Ukraine air quality impacted by the war and pandemic

International Journal of Digital Earth, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(1), P. 3680 - 3705

Published: Sept. 18, 2023

In recent years, our world has experienced significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, impacting human activities global environment. This paper explored air quality changes in Ukraine COVID-19, using on-demand with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get approach. During strict quarantine policies led 2% reduction tropospheric NO2 concentration before lockdown 4% during period. Cities like Kyiv, Donetsk, Dnipro exhibited reductions 5%, 11%, 16%, respectively. Total SO2 column decreased by 6% 2.5% period, except high population density areas. Kyiv showed highest 17% concentration, while Donetsk an 11% reduction. However, Russian invasion, there was increase heavily destroyed Kharkiv most eastern regions The total 48% higher war but reduced throughout country after war, for few central regions. These findings can contribute analyzing pollution building digital twin simulations future reconstruction scenarios.

Language: Английский

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Air quality impacts of war detected from the Sentinel-5P satellite over Ukraine

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 1254(1), P. 012112 - 012112

Published: Oct. 1, 2023

Abstract The general aim of this research is to analyze spatial-temporal changes air quality, which are the consequences military invasion Russian on territory Ukraine based open remote sensing data, geoinformation and cloud technologies. density NO 2 , SO CO HCHO as well O 3 absorbing aerosol index (AAI) extracted from Sentinel-5P satellite using Google Earth Engine (GEE) showed reduced emission primary pollutants a high level atmospheric restoration compared 2021, year before war. At same time values AAI increased significantly, indicating presence smoke dust in air. Obtained results one more aspect drastic effect war economic social processes environmental conditions. ecological can have long-term negative impact health populations.

Language: Английский

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