This study investigates the environmental impact of combined missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, with a focus on the release of particulate matter (PM) into the urban atmosphere. These military strikes frequently result in the destruction of residential and industrial infrastructure, as well as fires, leading to acute increases in ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Observational data were collected between 1 and 30 June 2025 using a distributed network of low-cost air quality monitoring stations aggregated by the SaveEcoBot platform. The optical particle counters, based on light scattering technology, enable real-time monitoring of airborne particulate fractions of PM2.5 along with meteorological parameters and gas pollutants. The study period included two significant attacks (10 and 17 June), during which the temporal and spatial dynamics of PM2.5 concentrations were analyzed in comparison to baseline levels observed under non-attack conditions. Raw concentrations of PM2.5 up to 241 μg/m3 were observed in the epicenters of air-strike-induced fires, while smog plumes covered half of the city area. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations were recorded during and for several hours following the attacks and corresponding air raid alerts. The findings show days of PM2.5 exceedances above the World Health Organization (WHO) daily threshold of 15 μg/m3. These results underscore the acute environmental and public health hazards posed by military assaults on urban centers. Furthermore, this research highlights the role of citizen-driven environmental monitoring as a valuable tool for both scientific documentation and potential evidentiary support in assessing the environmental impacts of warfare.

Armed conflicts cause significant, yet poorly understood, impacts on soils, including contamination with heavy metals and magnetic particles derived from explosions. The extent of war-related soil pollution in Ukraine remains a debated issue. This pilot study integrates remote sensing, geochemical, agrochemical, and enviromagnetic methods to assess soil contamination in the Kharkiv region (eastern Ukraine). Heavy metal concentrations were generally close to background levels, with slight enrichment (1.1-1.3 times) at cruise missile and aerial bomb impact sites. An exception was observed at the helicopter crash site, where cadmium, copper, and zinc reached 12x, 4x, and 2x background levels, respectively. Elevated magnetic susceptibility values (up to 437 x 10-8 m3 kg-1) were recorded at the tank explosion site, contaminated by oil products. At other sites, magnetic values were usually lower in bomb-turbated soils due to the removal of chernic horizons as a result of explosions. Overall, in Chernozems, war-related damage is expressed more strongly through physical disturbance and fertility loss than through widespread heavy metal pollution. The study underscores the importance of combining geochemical and magnetic monitoring for postwar land restoration.

Вступ. Російська агресія та бойові дії в Україні спричиняють значні пошкодження та забруднення ґрунтів. Близько 139 тис. кв. км українських територій зазнали воєнного забруднення, що призводить до щорічних економічних втрат у 11,2 млрд доларів через заміновані поля. Деградаційні процеси впливають на понад 15 млн га земель, зокрема на понад 5 млн га чорноземів, які зазнали різних видів мілітарної деградації: фізичної, механічної, хімічної, фізико-хімічної та біологічної. Методи. Для належного використання та дотримання нормативів гранично допустимих концентрацій (ГДК) небезпечних речовин під час аналізу та оцінки якості ґрунтів, вибору методів їх визначення й контролю, а також встановлення загальних вимог і процедур для проведення відповідних робіт використовуються нормативно-правові акти та стандарти. Результати. Під час дослідження проаналізовано ґрунтові ресурси сіл Благодатне, Киселівка, Васильки та Максимівка, розташованих у Миколаївському районі на схід від Миколаєва. Оцінка коефіцієнта концентрації (Кс) виявила надзвичайно високі показники для міді (від 8,2 до 81,19) і кадмію, що вимагає запровадження комплексного моніторингу та вдосконалених технологій очищення для стабілізації екосистеми. Диференціація забруднення залежно від типу домішок показала, що зразки ґрунту, насичені нафтою, мають найвищий екологічний ризик для кадмію (Er=415) і свинцю (Er=130). У зразках без слідів вуглеводнів найбільш загрозливими є мідь (Er=220) і кадмій (Er=665). Зразки зі сріблястими металевими фрагментами демонструють критично високий ризик для кадмію (Er=1228) і міді (Er=404), а сумарний ризик (RI) досягає 1805, що свідчить про катастрофічний рівень забруднення. Висновки. Рівень забруднення важкими металами високий, отже використання досліджуваних територій без технічної та біологічної рекультивації становить небезпеку. У багатьох зонах рекомендується видалення верхнього шару ґрунту через його токсичність.

This study identifies factors influencing spatial and temporal variations in magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal content in soils and airborne particulate matter within the Kyiv megapolis, Ukraine, and highlights how source apportionment differs in the long and short run. Topsoil magnetic susceptibility anomalies of > 70 × 10−8 m3kg−1 are observed around old factories. The tree bark magnetic susceptibility map provides a record of industry general low emissions for the last 2–3 decades. The patterns of both spatial distributions confirm that factory emissions dominate the composition of particulate falling on the ground in urban area, with exclusion of streets with heavy traffic. Enhanced concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn have been found in urban soils, showing a positive correlation with magnetic susceptibility. Re-suspended road dust dominates temporal variation of particulate matter magnetic susceptibility collected on air filters. The air at busy streets is cleaner in winter, when the street dust gets immobilized by snow cover or freezing. Industries in Kyiv pose no significant effect on air quality; the concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb are at normal urban level with the exception of the near vicinity to factories. Air in streets with heavy traffic is enriched with Fe and Mn. Principal component analysis reveals different pattern of air pollution for the busy streets and yard areas. Yards are less affected by road dust; thus, contribution of industrial emissions can be distinguished. The results provide context for further quantification of any alterations in ecological state of Kyiv megapolis that may have arisen from socio-economic shocks and direct threats connected to the current war.

Background . One of the dangerous effects on the environment caused by the military actions in Ukraine is the destruction of the soil. This includes its pollution, redistribution of genetic horizons, compaction, change of physical and chemical agronomic indicators, etc. Accumulated experience shows that most of these processes are reflected in the magnetic properties of soils. Methods . The applied magnetic method includes a full range of field and laboratory studies. More detailed magnetic mineralogical methods of measurements are described in. Results . On the basis of the diagram developed for the ratios ofanhysteretic magnetic susceptibility to low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (chi ARM/chi lf) and anhysteretic magnetic susceptibility to the frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility (chi ARM/chi fd), fine-grained magnetic particles of lithogenic and bacterial origin were detected in the soils of experimental areas of Kyiv region. For Stari Petrivtsi, only one group of samples was mainly identified. In Demydiv, we found two groups: a larger one, marked in green, and a smaller one, marked in red. Finally, two equivalent groups were identified in the Ozera study site. According to the results of the thermomagnetic analysis of magnetic susceptibility, an unusual "tail" for soils was identified after 600 degrees C, which indicates the content of metallic iron. The content of heavy metals in the magnetic extraction of soils from objects of military defeat depends on the composition of the alloys of the weapons striking a specific place. Conclusions . During the explosion of various types of ammunition, fragments of irregular shape are formed due to strong mechanical impact, and additional heating in the process leads to the formation of iron spherules. This complex physico-chemical process occurs as a result of the interaction of high-temperature gases, dust and molten metal. These objects are successfully identified by quick and cheap magnetic methods.

Вступ. На сьогодні зацікавленість у вивченні локального аномального магнітного поля для вирішення завдань нафтогазової геології зростає, а можливості обладнання дають змогу значно збільшити швидкість, точність і детальність робіт. Відповідно до цього набуває актуальності розробка і випробування вдосконаленої методики детальної магнітної зйомки в русі. Методи. Для ділянок зі слабкоградієнтним магнітним полем запропоновано проведення оцінки точності зйомки методом зіставлення карт, отриманих за повторними зйомками ділянки. Результати. Здійснено наземну зйомку магнітного поля в русі ділянок загальною площею близько 20 км2 у Зіньківському районі Полтавської області. Міжпрофільна відстань становила близько 50 метрів, відстань між точками спостережень по профілю близько 1 метра. Така сітка спостережень дозволяє отримати карти, які значно відрізняються від карт, отриманих за звичайною густиною спостережень. Також завдяки цій методиці можна виділяти локальні аномалії та робити висновки про тонку структуру магнітного поля. Виділено основні об'єкти, що утворюють аномалії та представлено їх геологічну характеристику. На цій основі розпочато складання каталогу аномалій магнітного поля нафтогазових регіонів. Висновки. Запропоновано пояснення тектонічних і геохімічних чинників утворення локальних аномалій магнітного поля досліджених ділянок. Виділено три типи аномалій, пов'язані з ярами. Додатні аномалії над ярами та аномалії типу "сходинка", на нашу думку, зумовлені тектонічними рухами, а від'ємні аномалії – поверхневим зносом ґрунтового покриву. Знакозмінні поля, спостережені на досліджених ділянках, пов'язані з озалізненням осадових порід.

Summary The soil magnetism is the indicator of the physical and chemical processes occurring in the pedosphere. The current war in Ukraine arise the new challenge related to the studying soil magnetic properties at the areas of the military activities, different drones and missiles attacks, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and other weapon pieces and particulate matter which are constant sources of organic and inorganic pollution. The study area Ozera-15 is located in the Forest zone of Ukraine. The predominant soil is Umbric Albeluvisols Abruptic according to WRB-FAO. The measurements included high-resolution magnetometer survey and magnetic susceptibility mapping. The results confirmed that slightly magnetic soil can reflect to the man-made pollution of the military origin, detect the places of the redistribution of the soil genetic horizons and their pollution with iron particles of the different size. The application of the results to the environmental pollution assessment, military hazard evaluation and quantification of soil degradation will accelerate the development of Ukraine's post-war recovery strategy.

Вступ. Одним із небезпечних впливів на довкілля, викликаних військовими діями в Україні, є деструкція ґрунтового покриву, а саме його забруднення, перерозподіл генетичних горизонтів, ущільнення, зміна фізико-хімічних агрономічних показників тощо. Накопичений досвід показує, що більшість із цих процесів відображаються на магнітних властивостях ґрунтів. Методи. Застосовано методику магнітних досліджень, що передбачає повний спектр польових і лабораторних досліджень. Результати. На основі розробленої діаграми для співвідношень ідеальної (безгістерезисної) магнітної сприйнятливості до низькочастотної магнітної сприйнятливості (χARM/χlf) та ідеальної магнітної сприйнятливості до частотної залежності магнітної сприйнятливості (χARM/χfd) було розбраковано дрібнозернисті магнітні частинки літогенного та бактеріального походження у ґрунтах дослідних ділянок Київщини. Для Старих Петрівців було ідентифіковано лише одну групу зразків. У Демидові виявили дві групи: більшу, позначену зеленим кольором, і меншу, позначену червоним. Нарешті, на ділянці дослідження Озера було визначено дві еквівалентні групи. За результатами термомагнітного аналізу магнітної сприйнятливості було ідентифіковано незвичний для ґрунтів "хвіст" після 600 °С, що вказує на вміст металевого заліза. Вміст важких металів у магнітній фракції ґрунтів з об'єктів військового ураження залежить від складу сплавів зброї, що вражає конкретне місце. Висновки. Під час вибуху різних типів боєприпасів утворюються уламки неправильної форми через значний механічний вплив, а додаткове нагрівання в процесі призводить до утворення залізних сферул. Цей складний фізико-хімічний процес виникає внаслідок взаємодії високотемпературних газів, пилу та розплавленого металу. Зазначені об'єкти успішно ідентифікуються на основі експресних і дешевих магнітних методів.

Дана робота покликана ознайомити широке коло дослідників археології Києва з можливостями геофізичного методу томографії електричного опору (ТЕО). В статті описані дослідження методом ТЕО, проведені на ділянці між Софійським собором, Братським корпусом та будівлею колишньої Бурси у зв’язку з утворенням провалу навесні 2021 р. На місці провалу на глибині 2-3 м від денної поверхні відкрилося цегляне склепіння повністю замуленого ходу XVII ст. Висота ходу перевищувала 2 м. Два профілі ТЕО були прокладені навхрест очікуваних ходів. Вони мали довжину 63 м, при цьому електроди були розташовані на відстані 1 м один від одного. Моделі розподілу питомого опору отримані за гладко-контрастною схемою інверсії (алгоритм Occam-Marquardt). У результаті наявні на картах і передбачувані підземні споруди проявилися на геоелектричних розрізах у вигляді виразних аномалій підвищеного питомого опору (ρ > 400 Ом*м). Це відкриває можливість ефективного геофізичного картування підземель у товщі еолових лесовидних супісків на території заповідника “Софія Київська». При цьому критерієм оптимальності застосування метода ТЕО для пошуків підземних споруд виступає значна різниця електричного опору між об’єктом і лесовою породою, яка становить не менше 300 Ом*м

Background The article presents results of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanning carried out in a site of the Epiphany Cathedral of Brotherhood Monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine, destroyed in 1936 by the Soviets. The Cathedral is known as a burial site of Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi (1582–1622), a Ukrainian Cossack political and civic leader, guardian and patron of Kyiv Brotherhood Monastery. The collection of archival documents, blueprints, stock sources, photographs and cartographic materials of the 17th-19th centuries, as well as historical works of the 19th-21st centuries, were thoroughly analyzed and used as a basis for the interpretation of geophysical results. The set of historical data covers the period from 1615, that is, from the beginning of the construction of the wooden Epiphany Church, the predecessor of the cathedral, to the present day. Methods Summarized information about the construction, restoration after the fire, functioning and destruction of the Cathedral, as well as about the construction on its site in the 20th century, archaeological research in the 20th-21st centuries, was used to clarify possible location of hidden foundations and target GPR measurements. In this context, written testimonies of archaeologists who personally observed the foundations of the cathedral became especially valuable. The shielded GPR antennas, with a central frequency of 300 MHz and 700 MHz, is used for non-invasive investigation. Results GPR scanning specified the site and showed the best-preserved group of foundations of the western wall of the nave of the Epiphany Cathedral. Conclusions An integrated historical and geophysical study provided the basis to certify the foundation of the Epiphany Cathedral as a protected object of cultural heritage and facilitated its archaeological research.

Background. Nowadays, interest in studying the local anomalous magnetic field to solve the problems of oil and gas geology is growing, and the capabilities of the equipment can significantly increase the speed, accuracy and detail of work. Accordingly, the development and testing of an improved method of detailed magnetic recording in motion becomes relevant. Methods. For areas with low gradient magnetic field, we assessed the accuracy of the survey by comparing the maps obtained from repeated surveys of the site. Results. The survey of the magnetic field was conducted in the movement. The total surveyed area was about 20 square kilometers in the Zinkovsky district of the Poltava region. The inter-profile distance was about 50 meters, the distance between the points of observation on the profile was about 1 meter. This grid of observations allows us to get maps that differ significantly from the maps obtained by the usual density of observations. This technique also allows identifying local anomalies, and drawing conclusions about the fine structure of the magnetic field. The main objects that form anomalies and their geological characteristics are identified. On this basis, interpreted magnetic field anomalies in oil and gas regions were catalogued. Conclusions. We have proposed explanation of tectonic and geochemical factors, which form local anomalies of the magnetic field of the studied areas. Three types of anomalies associated with ravines are distinguished. Positive anomalies over ravines and step-type anomalies, in our opinion, are associated with tectonic movements, and negative anomalies are due to slope wash processes. Alternating magnetic fields in the studied areas may be due to ferruginized deposits.

Metallurgical industries incorporated into the living environment of the city cause significant enrichment of the topsoil with harmful substances including small size particulate matter, which contains heavy metals and magnetic iron oxides. The present study is focused on characterization of magnetic and geochemical pollution accumulated by urban soils in the city of Zaporizhzhia. Industrial dusts from the most powerful emmitants of airborne pollution are also analyzed. Two types of magnetic industrial emissions were discriminated to contribute in urban soil magnetization: spread of coarse-grained magnetite-bearing particles is limited to industrial zone, while smaller magnetic spherules were traced to settle far from the pollution sources bringing significant amounts of heavy metals to the soil. Magnetic susceptibility, saturation remanence and anhysteretic ratio of soil samples show strong relationship with heavy metals contents and pollution load index. Thus, magnetic parameters can serve as reliable proxies for complex urban and industrial pollution of soils. The obtained results provide important insight into magnetism and geochemistry of urban soils in Zaporizhzhia, characterizing the pollution rate as it was prior to the war situation starting in February 2022.

Metallurgical industries incorporated into the living environment of the city cause significant enrichment of the topsoil with harmful substances including small size particulate matter, which contains heavy metals and magnetic iron oxides. The present study is focused on characterization of magnetic and geochemical pollution accumulated by urban soils in the city of Zaporizhzhia. Industrial dusts from the most powerful emmitants of airborne pollution are also analyzed. The aim of the study was to conduct magnetic and geochemical characterization of soils in Zaporizhzhia as a pre-war reference point. This characterization will serve as a baseline for comparison in future studies investigating changes in pollution rates resulting from the war situation that began in 2022. Magnetic measurements, determination of concentrations of heavy metals (HM) and electron microscopy and granulometry investigations were performed to characterize the technogenic magnetic phases in industrial dusts collected in chimneys and filters. The magnetic mineralogy of dusts and soils is deduced from temperature behavior of magnetic susceptibility. We access the spreading of magnetic pollution over the topsoil of the city and investigated statistical correlations between magnetic properties and contents of HM...

An archaeological map of Buzovitsya-1 Roman time site was obtained based on a combination of geophysical and remote sensing results. The KH-9 Hexagon image reveals Roman structures.

In 2020-2021 a site of clear Roman origin was discovered near Buzovycja (Ukraine, Cernivci region). First field research in 2020 already suggested the existence of buildings that were built according to Roman building traditions. Specific architectural remains have been identified in several places on the surface of the site. In addition to the usual finds of the Cernjachiv culture, such accumulations also contained fragments of brick, mortar and stone. According to the results of a geomagnetic survey conducted in 2021, a promising anomaly in the central part of the settlement site was selected for test digging. The main task of the archaeological excavations that followed was to determine the architectural type of the object and to date it. The excavation revealed an area of buildings constructed of brick, stone and lime mortar. The width of the building was about 9.3 m, the possible length can be estimated at about 20 m. The exposed building floor was 1.4 m below today's surface level and was a "screed" of concrete mortar and limestone. In the central part of the building, three round bricks were discovered on the concrete floor, one of which was fixed in place. Complete blocks of bricks were found in places, with up to four layers and connected with lime mortar. A number of finds were recovered in the building. This included Cernjachiv ceramics, Forlimpopoli amphorae, amphora stands, glass beads, an iron chain and other objects. The analysis of the finds and the remains of the building showed that the building dates back to the late Roman period (3(rd) - mid 5(th) century AD). The salvaged remains of the building ceramics and mortar indicate that it was built in the Roman architectural tradition. The presence of rectangular and round brick blocks in a layer of destruction suggests that the building had a hypocaust. Other archaeological finds from the Buzovycja-1 site belong mainly to the Cernjachiv culture. According to the current state of investigation, the overall finding is interpreted as a local settlement with buildings erected in the Roman building tradition.

The development of studies of geophysics of pedosphere in Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv over the past thirty years is considered. The pedosphere is a unique and extremely informative object for the geophysical research. The physical and chemical properties of the objects within the pedosphere are related to the mineral deposits, soil science processes, anthropogenic influence during agricultural production, environmental pollution, paleogeographic processes, the history of human development as an archaeological heritage. In Ukraine, the study of soil magnetism began in the 90s of the 20th century in Kyiv University on the basis of the Student Design and Research Bureau. At the present moment, the investigation of all the initiated processes continues. The understanding of the physical foundations of the method is essential. The magnetic mineralogy of soils is investigated depending on the conditions of formation or introduction: pedogenesis, technogenesis, influence of hydrocarbons, etc. The new data at the same time verify the already existing theory, as well as deepen the not yet known aspects of the study of the pedosphere, raise new challenges to researchers. Analyzes are carried out both at the macro level within agricultural fields, urban agglomerations, oil and gas-bearing regions, and at the micro level for the smallest soil aggregates (pedon), magnetic minerals, magnetoactive domains, etc. The results of magnetic, magnetometric, electrometric and ground-penetrating radar studies in various spheres of the national economy are given.

Summary The first results, which are presented in this abstract, are related to the international project titled “Quantifying magnetic properties of soils to evaluate sustainable hazards from heavy metal pollution due to military activities in Ukraine”. The project is supported by Polish Academy of Science in collaboration with the U.S. National Academy of Sciences with the financial support of external partners. First field measurements and sampling were performed within unexploded ordnance landfill site in Kyiv region and Ozera-15 battlefield at the recaptured area of Kyiv region, used to be massively shelled.

In 2021, we performed a ground penetrating radar survey at the place of the Epiphany Cathedral of the Kyiv Confraternal Monastery, destroyed in 1936, in order to precisely locate its foundations. The collection and analysis of archival information from open sources was carried out, which became the basis for the interpretation of the results of geophysical measurements. Publications and written testimonies of archaeologists who personally saw the foundations of the Cathedral became especially valuable. The set of historical data covers the period from 1615, that is, from the beginning of the construction of the wooden Epiphany Church, the predecessor of the Cathedral, to the present day. Original documents, blueprints, stock sources, photographs, and cartographic materials of the 17th––19th centuries, as well as historical works of the 19th–21st centuries, were analyzed. The information about the construction, restoration after the fire, functioning, and destruction of the Cathedral, as well as about the construction on its site in the 20th century, archaeological research in the 20th–21st centuries was generalized. Ground penetrating radar survey revealed the best-preserved group of foundations of the western wall of the Cathedral, which are proposed for archaeological excavations.

Summary The city of Kyiv refers to historical and cultural heritage owing to a significant number of world-famous landmarks that are affected from time to time by hazardous geological processes, including landslides, flooding, erosion, etc. More than 110 landslides with a total area of 5.45 km2 were recorded in Kyiv. Aiming to prevent the emergency situations and avoid economic and social problems, landslide monitoring studies were carried out on the sites of historical and cultural heritage in Kyiv (the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, Lysa Hora and Fomin Botanical Garden) involving a rational complex of instrumental observations based on Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) technique, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and thermography data. Following the conducted study, the high informative value of the complex of ERT, GPR and IRT methods for the local forecasting of landslide hazard was confirmed, as they contribute to the detailed study of the geometry of the landslide body, determine the level of water content in sediments of landslide-prone slopes, and also assess the potential formation of the landslide processes. Recommendations were developed to prevent the negative impact of landslide processes and minimize their consequences.