TOXICOLOGICAL RISKS OF FOREST RESTORATION ON TERRITORIES WITH AMMUNITION CONTAMINATION
Keywords:
forest ecosystems, ammunition contamination, phytotoxicity, heavy metals, forest restorationAbstract
This review study of toxicological risks of forest restoration on territories with ammunition contamination systematizes current scientific knowledge about complex interactions between military contaminants and forest ecosystems in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war and international experience. Over 160 publications on explosive compound toxicology, heavy metal accumulation, and ecological barriers to forest recovery after military actions were analyzed. Phytotoxic effects of major explosive compounds were systematized: trinitrotoluene (TNT) demonstrates highest phytotoxicity with LC50 for Scots pine seedlings of 45 mg/l and causes plant tissue degradation of 26.8%, while hexogen (RDX) and octogen (HMX) are characterized by viability reduction of 20.4% and 18.4% respectively with higher persistence in soil environment. Data on heavy metal accumulation from military activities were generalized, showing critical lead concentrations up to 1067 mg/kg in soils and 1495 μg/l in groundwater, which is 53 times higher than background values and creates long-term geochemical barriers for forest regeneration over decades. Specific ecological obstacles to forest recovery after the Russian-Ukrainian war were examined, including 38,589 hectares of damaged forest cover in three regions during 2022, contamination with unexploded ordnance, cascade disruptions of nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemical cycles, degradation of mycorrhizal symbioses, and structural vulnerability of monoculture plantations.International bioremediation experience was systematized, including field trials of genetically modified switchgrass for hexogen degradation (remediation rate 27 kg/ha over three years) and post-conflict studies in Colombia after the 2016 FARC peace agreement, which revealed paradoxical increase in deforestation rate by 177% after cessation of military actions. A conceptual classification of military contaminants by phytotoxicity and persistence, matrix model for risk assessment for different types of forest biogeocenoses, and hierarchical scheme of ecological barriers to forest succession were developed. A comprehensive algorithm for assessing biosafety of forest restoration measures based on risk analysis criteria was presented, including six sequential stages from contaminant identification to technical recommendations formation for remediation measures. Review results demonstrate critical necessity of integrating toxicological analysis with modern remediation technologies and developing interdisciplinary approaches in military ecology for effective restoration of militarily disturbed forest landscapes in the post-war period.
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