2.3.2. Soil pollution
During 2002, soil samples from 8 districts of the Republic of Moldova were analysed for soil
quality and residual quantities of pesticides. This monitoring programme involved all regions of
the country and included investigations on 64 agriculture fields totaling 4616 hectares.
The data did not reveal any significant level of soil pollution with organochlorine pesticides. The
average level of Σ DDT and Σ HCCH isomers under all crops on investigated fields was 0.016
ppm and 0.002 ppm, respectively (that corresponds to 0.16 and 0.02 from the maximum
admissible concentration (MAC) for these pesticides). The maximum level of soil pollution with
DDT, exceedind the MAC 2.3 times, was detected in Pirjota (Balti), in the North of the country,
on a field with sugar beet. The maximum pollution level with HCCH (0.32 MAC) was found in
the Edinet district, also in the North. Other cases of exceedance of existing standards for Σ DDT
in soil were revealed in Tighina (7.6%), Orhei (3.3%), Soroca (23.3%) and Balti (3.8%) districts.
The polluted area was estimated at 62.7 ha, 28 ha, 70 ha and 22.5 ha, respectively. In Chisinau,
Cahul, Ungheni and Edinet districts no pollution with DDT and HCCH was detected (fig. 2.20).
No residual quantities of simm-triazine herbicides and deltametrin were found in the samples.
0,25
0,21
0,2
0,18
C / MAC
0,16
0,15
0,09
0,1
0,05
0
1999
2000
2001
2002
Fig. 2.20. Pollution of soils with DDT
The pollution of soils with copper is widespread in Moldova. Mobile copper was detected in all
investigated regions but the Chisinau district. The average concentration of mobile copper in the
suspended phase was 3.53 ppm (1.18 MAC) while the maximum (2.3 MAC) was recorded in a
vineyard in the Cahul district (South of the country) (fig.2.21).
0,25
0,21
0,2
0,18
C / MAC
0,16
0,15
0,09
0,1
0,05
0
1999
2000
2001
2002
Fig. 2.21. Pollution of soils with copper
The analysis of data showed no exceedance of MAC for nitrates (130 ppm as NO3). The
maximum level, 86 ppm, was recorded in the Tighina district. From the soil fertility perspective,
the highest average concentration of nitrate was recorded also in the Tighina district, 10,0 ppm,
while the minimum value (1.6 ppm), in the Ungheni district.
The maximum average level of potassium was found in the Edinet district (com. Alexeevca), 552
ppm K2O (this is exceeding the needs of the crops for potassium), the minimum level, in the
Cahul district, 129 ppm K2O (this is a reduced level of potassium compared to crop needs).
The average soil content of mobile phosphorus (P2O5) varied between 96.8 ppm (Liadoveni,
Balti), and 11.5 ppm (Sipoteni, Ungheni). The average humus content varied from 1.8%, in the
Ungheni district, to 4.1%, in the Balti district.
In Moldova, the former storehouses for agrochemicals which have been dismantled after the
cancellation of former collective farms, present a significant environmental concern. Laboratory
investigations of the adjacent areas revealed a significant level of soil pollution. For example, at
the chemicals storage in the village of Boscana (Chisinau district), the content of nitrates
exceeded the MAC even at 200 m from the place. At this distance, also the concentration of
carbophos is 3 times higher than the MAC while the content of organochlorine pesticides
exceeds it 2-3 times. A significant level of pollution was revealed at the chemicals depo in Ustia
(Chisinau district) where the MAC for organochlorine pesticides is exceeded 3.5-7 times at just
150 m from the building. A similar picture was found in many other places (e.g. Copaceni,
Prepelita, Petrunea, Pruteni, Braniste, Petruseni, Saptebani, etc) where the MACs for mineral
phosphorus was exceeded 1.1-44.1 times (depending on the distance from the storehouse and the
deepness); for nitrates, 1.2-52.8 times; for potassium, 1.1-22.9 times; for organochlorine
pesticides, 2.0-28.6 times; for organophosphorus pesticides, 5.8-20.6 times.
The investigations revealed in several places the contamination of soils with animal waste
(especially in places where big livestock farms still exist) and oil products (especially in the
proximity of storages and industrial sites).
A special issue in the Republic of Moldova is related to the places of former Soviet Army units
where fuel for aircrafts and rockets and other highly toxic waste was stored. A number of cases
of pollution of soils and groundwater sources with oil products and toxic substances were
reported, in the military bases as well as the adjacent areas.
The most serious reported case of environmental pollution occurred at the Marculesti air base,
Soroca district. According to the data provided by the Ministry of Defense, by the year 1992,
about 500-600 tons of fuel was spilled off and penetrated into the soil. About 800 hectares of
land were contaminated together with the groundwater horizons until the depth of 25-30 m.
Formerly, in the Republic of Moldova special rockets with silver nitrate or silver bromide charge
were extensively used to combat hail which in summer quite often causes damages to the
orchards and vineyards. As a result of the use of these rockets, in several places the land was
polluted with highly toxic rocket fuel „Melanj” and „Samin” (see following table).
Table 2.5
The areas polluted with rocket fuel
Location
Bacioi
Toderesti
Negresti
Polluted area, ha.
0.27
0.02
0.01
Buteni
Danceni
Total
0.01
0.50
0.81
In Parlita, Ungheni, on the place of an old military storage of petrol and diesel, the land was
polluted with oil products on an area of 4.7 ha. The similar fuel storage in the city of Balti
(10,000 tons) provoked the contamination of land on 3 ha.
The total area of contaminated soils on the territory of military units and the adjacent lands is:
- with petroleum products, 882.7 ha;
- with rocket fuel, 0.81 ha.