Project „Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils using Innovative Methodology“ – MCSoil has reached its final stage of implementation
The
implementation of the project started in July 2019. The project is a
joint initiative of the RES Cluster and association Center for Medical Herbs
and Berries “AMBROZIJA” – Republic of North Macedonia and is being implemented
under the IPA CBC Programme between Republic of Bulgaria and Republic of North
Macedonia 2014-2020 (CCI No 2014TC16I5CB006).
The project‘s
initiatives were aimed at assessing the specific needs of the region about the
mapping of existing and potential soil contamination. The main project
activities were aimed at the environmental protection through identification
and monitoring of contaminated areas and nature protected areas using an
innovative methodology. The pilot tool for soils samples collection,
processing, analyzing and data representation, is based on innovative
geophysical methods for cost-effective, sensitive and fast evaluation of the
environmental quality of soils.
The main advantage of this new
methodology is its high sensitivity and possibility for smart adaptation of the
method according to the respective site and the existing problem. Also, this method
is much faster and cheaper than the traditionally used chemical analysis.
All of that has contributed to the
increase of the awareness of the representatives of the target groups and other
stakeholders about the state of the soil resources in the cross-border region
of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as it has
impacted on improving of the resource management efficiency with regard to
soils
The
project team of association “Renewable Energy Sources Cluster” express their
gratitude on the interest and active involvement of the partners and the participants
in the project’s initiatives throughout the whole period of the implementation
of project „MCSoil”.
Final Conference of Project MCSoil
Presentation of the results from the application of innovative methodology for identification and monitoring of contaminated soils
Location: Pehcevo, North Macedonia
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Date: 09-10.10.2020
We are pleased to invite you to the Final Conference of the project Identification and monitoring of contaminated soils using innovative methodology “- MCSoil, that have been implemented by the Association Ambrozija from Pehcevo, in partnership with the Cluster for Renewable Energy Sources from Blagoevgrad, with financial support of the EU – Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program, Bulgaria-North Macedonia CCI № 2014TC16I5CB006.
The results of the project activities and the application of an innovative methodology for monitoring of polluted soils will be presented at the Final Conference.
The event will be held on October 9 and 10, 2020, starting at 11:00 AM in Gogov Hotel in Pehchevo.
Due to the restrictive measures, the participants from Bulgaria will follow the event at the same time in Korona Hotel in Blagoevgrad, with established online communication between the two locations.
During the realization of the event, all measures for protection against spread and prevention of Covid 19 that are in force will be implemented, in accordance with the current legislation in the Republic of North Macedonia and in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Conducted specialized training on the subject „Introduction of an Innovative Methodology for Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils and the Results Achieved from its Implementation“
Association “Renewable Energy Sources Cluster” organized specialized training on the subject „Introduction of an Innovative Methodology for Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils and the Results Achieved from its Implementation“. The training was conducted in the frame of three consecutive days in the period from 18 to 20 September 2020, in the „Murite“ Hotel – Razlog.
The event was organized in the frame of project „Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils using Innovative Methodology (MCSoil)“, implemented by the „Renewable Energy Sources cluster“ – Blagoevgrad, in partnership with the „Center for Medical Herbs and Berries – Ambrozija“ from the Republic of North Macedonia. The project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union through the INTERREG-IPA CBC Programme, CCI No. 2014TC16I5CB006.
The specialized training was directed to representatives of the responsible institutions for environmental and soil protection at local and regional level in the Republic of Bulgaria, ecological organizations, NGO’s, students and other stakeholders. The main objective was the introduction of an innovative methodology for identification and monitoring of contaminated soils as the focus of the training will be the achieved results from its implementation. During the event, a demonstration of the practical applicability of the magnetic susceptibility system was performed.
In state of emergency over Covid-19 declared in the Republic of Bulgaria, the training was conducted in compliance with the preventive measures and recommendations of the authorized health authorities, against the spread of the Coronavirus. In this relation, the participants were provided with personal protective means, such as single-use facemasks, disinfectants, etc.
More information about project „Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils using Innovative Methodology (MCSoil) “, the project initiatives and interesting news on the topic, are available on the present official web site of the project, as well on the official Facebook page of the project.
Invitation for participation in specialized training in innovative method for identification and monitoring of contaminated soils and results of its application
A training on presentation of the innovative method for identification and monitoring of contaminated soils, as well as the results of its application within the project activities will be hold within the project Identification and monitoring of contaminated soils using innovative methodology “- MCSoil implemented by the Association Ambrosia, in partnership with the Cluster for Renewable Energy Sources. The project is implemented with financial support from European Union trough through the INTERREG-IPA CBC Programme Bulgaria-Northern Macedonia.
The training will be held in the period from 24 to 26 September 2020, in the hotel “Gogov” in Pehchevo.
During the realization of the training, all measures for protection against spread and prevention from Covid – 19 that are in force will be observed, in accordance with the current legislation in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Please confirm your participation on the training no later than September 22, 2020 by filling out the electronic application at the following link https://forms.gle/tK8DV1WQTrV8mbi5A.
Association Ambrozija
Pehchevo, Republic of North Macedonia
Specialized Training: „Introduction of an Innovative Methodology for Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils and the Results Achieved from its Implementation“
It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in the specialized training „Introduction of an Innovative Methodology for Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils and the Results Achieved from its Implementation“. The event is organized in the frame of project „Identification and Monitoring of Contaminated Soils using Innovative Methodology (MCSoil)“, implemented by the „Renewable Energy Sources cluster“ – Blagoevgrad, in partnership with the „Center for Medical Herbs and Berries – Ambrozija“ from the Republic of North Macedonia. The project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union through the INTERREG-IPA CBC Programme, CCI No. 2014TC16I5CB006.
The specialized training is directed to representatives of the responsible institutions for environmental and soil protection at local and regional level in the Republic of Bulgaria, ecological organizations, NGO’s, students and other stakeholders. The main objective is introduction of an innovative methodology for identification and monitoring of contaminated soils as the focus of the training will be the achieved results from its implementation. During the event, a demonstration of the practical applicability of the magnetic susceptibility system will be made.
The training will be conducted in the frame of three consecutive days in the period from 18 to 20 September 2020, starting at 13:00 in the „Murite“ Hotel – Razlog.
In state of emergency over Covid-19 declared in the Republic of Bulgaria, the training will be conducted in compliance with the preventive measures and recommendations of the authorized health authorities, against the spread of the Coronavirus. In this relation, the participants will be provided with personal protective means, such as single-use facemasks, disinfectants, etc. Representatives of the organizers of the event will be observing for the participants to keep a safe distance from one another as well as for the regular disinfection in the hall.
More information about the conduction of the event as well as contact information for communication with the organizers, is available in the attached invitation and agenda.
Attachment:
Soil contaminants
What are soil contaminants?
Soil is a complex mixture of minerals, organic material, water, and various life forms. In its original state, soil was an uncontaminated substance covering the earth. But humans have intentionally and accidentally poured harmful products onto it in some areas. The waste can hurt the soil and possibly human, plant, and animal health.
By definition, any substance in the soil that exceeds naturally-occurring levels and poses human health risks is a soil contaminant. As an example, arsenic naturally occurs in some soils. But if a person sprays certain pesticides on their yard, that could cause soil contamination. Lead is also very dangerous but occurs naturally in some soils. It was used in gasoline until 1989 and can still be found contaminating soils today.
The biggest risks for soil contamination are in urban areas and former industrial sites. Common contaminants in urban soils include pesticides, petroleum products, radon, asbestos, lead, chromated copper arsenate and creosote. In urban areas, soil contamination is largely caused by human activities. Some examples are manufacturing, industrial dumping, land development, local waste disposal, and excessive pesticide or fertilizer use. Heavy car and truck traffic can contaminate soil, and so can a single car. When soil is contaminated with these substances, it can hurt the native environment.
Where and how much contamination is added to soils will largely determine how that contamination spreads throughout an area. The type of soil will also play a role in its distribution.
How are people exposed to soil contaminants?
There are several ways humans can be exposed to soil contaminants. The most common are:
- Ingesting soil
Though it might seem odd to eat soil, contaminants can be ingested in a variety of ways. Young children may be particularly susceptible as they play in bare soil. Contaminated soil dust may also affect our food supply. Lavishly washing food products delivered from soil is very important. The biggest risk of ingesting soil happens when the soil is left bare. Covering soil with grass or other plants and mulching well reduces the risk of contamination. If people are eating outdoors near windy soil on a windy day, airborne contaminants may land on food before it is eaten.
- Breathing volatiles and dust
When soils are uncovered, small particles can become airborne with wind for example. Construction or demolition work, mining operations, or poor landscaping efforts can make soil dust. Breathing in contaminated dust may cause physical or chemical damage to humans. For example, asbestos fibers can puncture the lungs. Chemicals such as lead can hurt the nervous system, including the brain.
- Absorbing through skin
Contaminants may also be absorbed through the skin. Creosote is a common material used to preserve wood in the United States. This complex mixture of chemicals can leach out of treated wood and contaminate the soil. If creosote-contaminated soils are touched, then over time the skin may blister, peel or severely redden.
- Eating food grown in contaminated soil
If you grow food in contaminated soil, there is a risk that your food will also be contaminated. Many housing developments and community garden are established in areas that served as industrial or manufacturing areas where contaminants may be present. Many vegetables and herbs can absorb contaminants as they grow. That puts you at risk if you eat them. Also, vegetables and herbs can have soil dust on them. Without proper washing, contaminants remain. Even when gardens or farms may be located on uncontaminated soils, the immediate proximity of contaminated sites, there exist a chance the contamination to be transferred to the food products by the wind.
Sites of special concern
Industrial and manufacturing sites
Industrial and manufacturing sites often have a range of contaminants polluting their soils. The type of contaminant will depend on what the factory was producing. Contamination can occur when chemicals leak out onto the soil. All are dangerous to human safety on their own. When combined, they may react with each other to create even more toxic compounds. Containment and remediation of these areas are costly, technically complex, and logistically challenging.
Landfills, junkyards and waste disposal sites
Landfills, junkyards and waste disposal sites pose high risk of soil contamination, much like industrial sites. These areas often contain a large mix of contaminant types like lead, arsenic, and petroleum products. All are dangerous to human safety on their own. When combined, they may react with each other to create even more toxic compounds. Containment and remediation of these areas are costly, technically complex, and logistically challenging.
Highway corridors, parking lots, areas of heavy traffic
Аreas with high concentrations of vehicles pose a lot of contaminant risks, both from emissions and fluid leaks. For example, presence of lead can be high in areas with heavy traffic emissions, and petroleum or oil leaks on roads or parking lots can be washed onto nearby soils.
Household sites
Household sites may not be an obvious site for soil contamination. But soils can get contaminated during housing construction. Petroleum products from the construction vehicles can leak and paint may spill. Homeowners may overuse pesticides or herbicides which inadvertently contaminate their soil.
Former farmland with build-up of contaminants
In the United States, many pesticides were composed of lead-arsenate between 1910 and 1950. At the time researchers and farmers didn’t know that lead caused health problems. As a result, lead is found in the soil of remnant farms today. In addition, there has been extensive development and production of herbicides since the 1950s. These chemicals need to be used properly; improper use can harm the soil, plant, and even human health. The use of high-load fertilizer applications may leave contamination in soils, depending on the crop and fertilizer type used.
The full text is available here.
Natural-Geographical Analysis and Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Cross-Border Area in the Republic of North Macedonia
Within the project “Identification and monitoring of polluted soils using innovative methodology” (MCSoil), implemented by association “Renewable Energy Sources Cluster” – Lead Partner and association “Ambrozija” – Project Partner, a Country Assessment Report on the situation in the cross-border area in the Republic of North Macedonia was prepared, on the basis of relevant data on the state of geodiversity and geological heritage of the eastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia, pedology, as a basis and scientific basis for further research, as well as analysis of geological and hydrographical data and socio-economic characteristics of the area. The main purpose of the analysis report is to detect appropriate sites for the implementation of innovative methodology for identification and monitoring of contaminated soil through magnetic susceptibility values.
The report is based on the state of geodiversity and geo-heritage of the eastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia and other components of nature (biodiversity and landscape diversity), which are the scientific basis for developing an ecological strategy for nature protection. In order to protect and preserve the ecological framework, one of the sites should be in a polluted area, and another location should be a clean ecological environment. The two specific locations are the territory around the old hydropower plant at the mine Zletovo in Probistip as a polluted area and Ploce Lipotelmi as a natural reserve or protected area.
The presence of heavy metals in soils is a serious environmental problem that directly affects human health and life and can be the result of various factors. As a result of the analysis and given the fact that the old hydropower plant in Probistip has been repeatedly assessed by experts as the second most important environmental threat in the country, this location is appropriate to use as a test site for the development of a new methodological approach.
The report is a foundation from which objects of interest for nature conservation should be identified, some of which should be re-examined in order to establish a definitive picture of the relevant objects and territories of interest in nature conservation in the eastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia.
The full text of the report is available here.
