Issue: Results of the impact testing of the destruction of the weapons on the locations in the country Golija near Niksic on the environment

   Center for ecotoxicological researches of Montenegro submitted the results of the impact testing of the destruction of the weapons on the locations in the country Golija near Niksic on the environment to the Agency, based on which we can state the following:

Samples of the ground from the location 100-150 m far from location of the destruction of weapons were tested before and after explosions on the content of heavy metals, explosives remains, PAH, PCBS, phenolic materials, mineral oil presence as well as presence of other unknown materials. Samples were tested in accordance with the Rulebook on maximun allowed concentrations of hazardous and harmful materials in the ground (Off.G. MNE, No. 18/97). Higher concentrations of nickel were found in the samples, however concentrations are significantly lower from concentrations of these elements which are determined in the ground within the implementation of regular monitoring program of hazardous and harmful materials in the gorund in all settlements in Montenegro, which points to the possibility that the sample of higher concentrations geological genesis of the ground.

 Track of the TNT (trinitrotoluola) was found after cracking  in one sample. Please note that this is a chemical that in the air due to chemical processes photolysis rapidly disintegrates, while under the influence of bacterial decomposition that process is somewhat slower in the ground. This compound may cause a negative impact on the man only after long exposure.

Results of waters testing on the locations of the well ’’Novak’’, spring ’’Podkomina’’ and ’’Laticno’’ showed that the samples don’t contain TNT, while the content of heavy metals and basic  physical-chemical parameters, suits to the conditions of the Decree on classification and categorization of waters (Official Gazette MNE, No 02/07).

Analysis of all three samples of the ground on the activity of radionuclides showed that the activity of all analizes radionuclides in submitted samples below maximum allowed concentrations in accordance with the provisions of the Rulebook on the limits of radioactive contamination of the environment and on the manner of decontamination conduction. (Off.G. MNE, No. 9/99)
Relating found concentrations of TNT in the ground, samples of vegetation from the surrounding places of explosions where TNT could have accumulated. In tested sample of accumulated vegetable materials, trays of heavy metals, TNT and othe rtoxic materials weren’t find.

From all the mentioned, we conclude that activity of destruction of weapons in the country Golija near Niksic, until now didn’t cause significant impact on the environment of that area but that certainly monitoring of possible should be countinued degradational products of explosives in order to protect the environment and human health. That will be followed within the implementation of regular monitoring program of hazardous and harmful materials in the ground which is conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency.