58
Water In Ecosystems: A Non Renewable Resource
1
INTRODUCTION
At present in Moldavia a rather complicated ecological situation has been created.
Due to the lack of integration of agricultural and environmental policies
significant problems have arisen:
The negative impact of pesticide and fertilizer residues, heavy metals
and other contaminants in soils and food products on human health.
Contamination of ground and surface waters, eutrophication of surface
waters by nitrates and phosphates leading to local health risk and
lowering the quality of aquatic resources.
Agricultural pollution problems associated with the growth of intensive
animal husbandry.
Salinization, compaction and erosion of soils causing losses in soil
productivity and landscape amenity.
2
SOIL ASSESSMENT AND MAJOR GROUPS OF
POLLUTANTS
Soils constitute the greatest wealth of Moldavia. 74 % of the country is covered by
very fertile chemozem soils with a high content of humus. During the last 20 years
the soil fertility significantly declined mainly because of the acceleration of the
soil degradation process. The most important reasons for this are: agriculture
technology violations; imperfect territorial organization; increasing erosion and
slide formation.
About 2 million ha, or 82 % of agricultural lands in the republic, are located on
slopes. 40,000 ha are subject to ravine and slide formation. According to the data
of the Moldavia Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, the area of eroded
soils increases annually by 0,86 %.
Annually, as a result of erosion processes, an average of 18 million tons of fertile
soils are washed away [2]. The main cause of the increase in soil erosion is
excessive development of slopes without the implementation of antierosion
measures. Clearly, the problem of soil erosion in the republic presents a serious
danger for the environment.
The contamination of biosphere components in Moldavia occurs because of the
intensification of agricultural production. The main sources of pollution in
agricultural activities are the following: mineral fertilizers, wastes of livestock
production units and toxic chemicals.
3
FERTILIZER USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Over the past fifteen years an excessive use of fertilizers has had a very negative
environmental impact on soils, leaving substantial amounts of chemical residues.
According to the data of the Central Statistics Department of the former USSR, in
1977 in Moldavia the mineral fertilizer consumption was approximately 1 million
tons.
Water In Ecosystems: A Non Renewable Resource
1
INTRODUCTION
At present in Moldavia a rather complicated ecological situation has been created.
Due to the lack of integration of agricultural and environmental policies
significant problems have arisen:
The negative impact of pesticide and fertilizer residues, heavy metals
and other contaminants in soils and food products on human health.
Contamination of ground and surface waters, eutrophication of surface
waters by nitrates and phosphates leading to local health risk and
lowering the quality of aquatic resources.
Agricultural pollution problems associated with the growth of intensive
animal husbandry.
Salinization, compaction and erosion of soils causing losses in soil
productivity and landscape amenity.
2
SOIL ASSESSMENT AND MAJOR GROUPS OF
POLLUTANTS
Soils constitute the greatest wealth of Moldavia. 74 % of the country is covered by
very fertile chemozem soils with a high content of humus. During the last 20 years
the soil fertility significantly declined mainly because of the acceleration of the
soil degradation process. The most important reasons for this are: agriculture
technology violations; imperfect territorial organization; increasing erosion and
slide formation.
About 2 million ha, or 82 % of agricultural lands in the republic, are located on
slopes. 40,000 ha are subject to ravine and slide formation. According to the data
of the Moldavia Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, the area of eroded
soils increases annually by 0,86 %.
Annually, as a result of erosion processes, an average of 18 million tons of fertile
soils are washed away [2]. The main cause of the increase in soil erosion is
excessive development of slopes without the implementation of antierosion
measures. Clearly, the problem of soil erosion in the republic presents a serious
danger for the environment.
The contamination of biosphere components in Moldavia occurs because of the
intensification of agricultural production. The main sources of pollution in
agricultural activities are the following: mineral fertilizers, wastes of livestock
production units and toxic chemicals.
3
FERTILIZER USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Over the past fifteen years an excessive use of fertilizers has had a very negative
environmental impact on soils, leaving substantial amounts of chemical residues.
According to the data of the Central Statistics Department of the former USSR, in
1977 in Moldavia the mineral fertilizer consumption was approximately 1 million
tons.