War Impact on Air Quality in Ukraine

Abstract

In the light of the 21st century, after two devastating world wars, humanity still has not learned to solve their conflicts through peaceful negotiations and dialogue. Armed conflicts, both international and within a single state, still cause devastation, displacement, and death all over the world. Not to mention the consequences that war has on the environment. Due to a lack of published research about war impact on modern air quality, this work studies air pollution evolution during the first months of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Satellite images of NO2, CO, O3, SO2, and PM2.5 over Ukrainian territory and PM2.5 land monitoring data for Kyiv were analyzed. The results showed that NO2 and PM2.5 correlated the most with war activities. CO and O3 levels increased, while SO2 concentrations reduced four-fold as war intensified. Drastic increases in pollution (especially PM2.5) from bombing and structural fires, raise additional health concerns, which might have serious implications for the exposed local and regional populations. This study is an invaluable proof of the impact any armed conflict has on air quality, the population, and environment.

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

“…Additionally, for the territory of Ukraine it was investigated the changes in NO 2 , CO, O 3 , SO 2 , and PM 2 .5 atmospheric pollution during the first months of the full-scale war, compared to the similar periods of 2019, 2020 and 2021 [15]. The aforementioned study found a high correlation between NO 2 and PM 2 .5 with the intensity of hostilities, an increase in CO and O 3 levels, and a significant decrease in SO 2 concentrations as the war intensified.…”

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“…The psychological effects of air pollution are leading to psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and changes in mood, cognition, and behaviour (Lundberg, 1996). It is reported by Lundberg (1996) (Zalakeviciute et al, 2022) during initial months of war, O 3 was found 2.45% higher in overall Ukraine and 3.38% higher in Kyiv; and SO 2 was 38.06% higher in overall Ukraine with 10% higher in Kyiv. There are an increasing number of studies confirming the adverse effects of air pollutants on the psychiatric disorders among citizens.…”

“…As highlighted by Zalakeviciute et al (2022), the resulting pollution has short-lived impact as well as persisting impacts. They articulate, -the toxic emissions, originating from military actions and destruction, will go on contaminating not only the atmosphere, but also water and soil, through wet and dry deposition.…”

“…Evidently, when a mine is flooded, radionuclides and toxic substances contaminate underground waters, poisoning water sources of local residential areas(Renáta, 2022). European Commission specialists registered at least 35 abandoned coal mines in Donbass region(European Commission, 2022), and waters of Komyshuvakha river turned orange in 2021 due to a leakage from the abandoned 'Zolotoe' mine Zalakeviciute et al (2022). analysed satellite images of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and 1 PM 2.5 over Ukrainian territory and PM 2.5 land monitoring data for Kyiv.…”

“…They found that NO 2 and PM 2.5 are released the most during war activities. According to the authors, drastic increases in pollution (especially PM 2.5 ) from bombing and structural fires raise additional health concerns Zalakeviciute et al (2022). reported O 3 (2.45% for Ukraine and 3.38% for Kyiv) and SO Because of the war, we will have to do even more to overcome the climate crisis‖(Rannard, 2022).…”