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Physical Degradation and Organic Matter Loss in Soils Impacted by Bomb-Induced Disturbances in Ukraine

Received: 6 August 2025     Accepted: 16 August 2025     Published: 30 October 2025
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Abstract

This study investigates the physical degradation and organic matter loss in soils subjected to explosive disturbances in Ukraine, with particular focus on bomb crater zones. Soil samples were collected from impact sites (CR) and adjacent undisturbed reference areas (NT) across four representative soil types: Albic Arenosols, Luvic Greyzems, Luvic Chernozems, and Haplic Chernozems. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate changes in particle-size distribution, the silt-to-clay ratio, soil organic matter (SOM), and the structural saturation index (St). The results reveal notable textural alterations, characterized by reductions in coarse fractions (very coarse and coarse sand) and enrichment in finer particles, including very fine sand, silt, and clay. The most significant transformations were recorded in Haplic Chernozems (–3.44% sand, +2.09% silt, +1.35% clay) and Albic Arenosols (+6.08% very fine sand), indicating intense aggregate fragmentation induced by explosive forces. SOM content declined across all soil types, with the most substantial loss observed in Albic Arenosols (–55%, from 1.82% to 0.82%) and the smallest in Haplic Chernozems (–36%). Structural integrity was also compromised: in all disturbed profiles, St values dropped below the 5% erosion-risk threshold, indicating increased vulnerability to degradation. Despite these changes, the silt-to-clay ratio remained relatively stable, suggesting conservative behavior of fine particles under mechanical stress. These findings provide important insights into the ecological consequences of warfare-related soil disturbance and offer a scientific basis for post-conflict land restoration strategies. The documented decline in SOM and structural stability poses a serious threat to soil fertility, water retention capacity, and erosion resistance. Targeted remediation efforts and adaptive land management practices are essential to restore soil functionality and support long-term agricultural sustainability in affected regions.

Published in American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13
Page(s) 250-257
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Soil Structure, Particle-Size Distribution, Aggregate Stability, Bomb-Induced Disturbance, Erosion Risk

References
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    Vasylenko, L., Yashchenko, L., Androshchuk, O., Chornoivan, Y. (2025). Physical Degradation and Organic Matter Loss in Soils Impacted by Bomb-Induced Disturbances in Ukraine. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 13(5), 250-257. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13

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    ACS Style

    Vasylenko, L.; Yashchenko, L.; Androshchuk, O.; Chornoivan, Y. Physical Degradation and Organic Matter Loss in Soils Impacted by Bomb-Induced Disturbances in Ukraine. Am. J. Agric. For. 2025, 13(5), 250-257. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13

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    AMA Style

    Vasylenko L, Yashchenko L, Androshchuk O, Chornoivan Y. Physical Degradation and Organic Matter Loss in Soils Impacted by Bomb-Induced Disturbances in Ukraine. Am J Agric For. 2025;13(5):250-257. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13,
      author = {Liudmyla Vasylenko and Liudmyla Yashchenko and Oleksandr Androshchuk and Yuliya Chornoivan},
      title = {Physical Degradation and Organic Matter Loss in Soils Impacted by Bomb-Induced Disturbances in Ukraine
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry},
      volume = {13},
      number = {5},
      pages = {250-257},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaf.20251305.13},
      abstract = {This study investigates the physical degradation and organic matter loss in soils subjected to explosive disturbances in Ukraine, with particular focus on bomb crater zones. Soil samples were collected from impact sites (CR) and adjacent undisturbed reference areas (NT) across four representative soil types: Albic Arenosols, Luvic Greyzems, Luvic Chernozems, and Haplic Chernozems. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate changes in particle-size distribution, the silt-to-clay ratio, soil organic matter (SOM), and the structural saturation index (St). The results reveal notable textural alterations, characterized by reductions in coarse fractions (very coarse and coarse sand) and enrichment in finer particles, including very fine sand, silt, and clay. The most significant transformations were recorded in Haplic Chernozems (–3.44% sand, +2.09% silt, +1.35% clay) and Albic Arenosols (+6.08% very fine sand), indicating intense aggregate fragmentation induced by explosive forces. SOM content declined across all soil types, with the most substantial loss observed in Albic Arenosols (–55%, from 1.82% to 0.82%) and the smallest in Haplic Chernozems (–36%). Structural integrity was also compromised: in all disturbed profiles, St values dropped below the 5% erosion-risk threshold, indicating increased vulnerability to degradation. Despite these changes, the silt-to-clay ratio remained relatively stable, suggesting conservative behavior of fine particles under mechanical stress. These findings provide important insights into the ecological consequences of warfare-related soil disturbance and offer a scientific basis for post-conflict land restoration strategies. The documented decline in SOM and structural stability poses a serious threat to soil fertility, water retention capacity, and erosion resistance. Targeted remediation efforts and adaptive land management practices are essential to restore soil functionality and support long-term agricultural sustainability in affected regions.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Physical Degradation and Organic Matter Loss in Soils Impacted by Bomb-Induced Disturbances in Ukraine
    
    AU  - Liudmyla Vasylenko
    AU  - Liudmyla Yashchenko
    AU  - Oleksandr Androshchuk
    AU  - Yuliya Chornoivan
    Y1  - 2025/10/30
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13
    T2  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JF  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JO  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    SP  - 250
    EP  - 257
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8591
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20251305.13
    AB  - This study investigates the physical degradation and organic matter loss in soils subjected to explosive disturbances in Ukraine, with particular focus on bomb crater zones. Soil samples were collected from impact sites (CR) and adjacent undisturbed reference areas (NT) across four representative soil types: Albic Arenosols, Luvic Greyzems, Luvic Chernozems, and Haplic Chernozems. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate changes in particle-size distribution, the silt-to-clay ratio, soil organic matter (SOM), and the structural saturation index (St). The results reveal notable textural alterations, characterized by reductions in coarse fractions (very coarse and coarse sand) and enrichment in finer particles, including very fine sand, silt, and clay. The most significant transformations were recorded in Haplic Chernozems (–3.44% sand, +2.09% silt, +1.35% clay) and Albic Arenosols (+6.08% very fine sand), indicating intense aggregate fragmentation induced by explosive forces. SOM content declined across all soil types, with the most substantial loss observed in Albic Arenosols (–55%, from 1.82% to 0.82%) and the smallest in Haplic Chernozems (–36%). Structural integrity was also compromised: in all disturbed profiles, St values dropped below the 5% erosion-risk threshold, indicating increased vulnerability to degradation. Despite these changes, the silt-to-clay ratio remained relatively stable, suggesting conservative behavior of fine particles under mechanical stress. These findings provide important insights into the ecological consequences of warfare-related soil disturbance and offer a scientific basis for post-conflict land restoration strategies. The documented decline in SOM and structural stability poses a serious threat to soil fertility, water retention capacity, and erosion resistance. Targeted remediation efforts and adaptive land management practices are essential to restore soil functionality and support long-term agricultural sustainability in affected regions.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

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