Risk management of unexploded ordnance in the Republic of Serbia for environmental protection - Borovac case study
Abstract
Introduction/purpose: Decades of dealing with unexploded ordnance (UXO) in some areas of the Republic of Serbia have confirmed that it presents a substantial hazard to the security of people, property, and the environment. Even though the terrain has been cleaned, various threats from difficult-to-find UXO components remain serious. Inadequate systemic solutions for UXO management can have significant harmful consequences.
Methods: Based on the spatial distribution analysis and different UXO types and quantities, this article studies the effects of dangerous components of unexploded ordnance on human lives and the environment. Two different geospatial analyses were performed including the guidelines for risk management through risk elimination based on multiple criteria, the GIS, and the Remote Sensing analysis.
Results: Two different geospatial analyses resulted in the areas at high risk of remaining UXO.
Conclusion: The article significantly contributes to creating an environmental risk management strategy for UXO-contaminated regions. It presents an effective technique for addressing risk assessment challenges in such sites. The analysis considers both risk analysis and environmental protection options. Using the multi-criteria analysis and the GIS, it estimates the exposure of built structures, people, soil types, and plant species to UXO dangers in key locations. This paper serves as a guideline for environmental risk assessment.
References
-Australian Government, Defence. 2020. Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in Australia [online]. Available at: https://uxo.defence.gov.au/ [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Bozanic, D., Tešić, D. & Milićević, J. 2018. A hybrid fuzzy AHP-MABAC model: Application in the Serbian Army – The selection of the location for deep wading as a technique of crossing the river by tanks. Decision Making: Applications in Management and Engineering, 1(1), pp.143-164 [online]. Available at: https://dmame-journal.org/index.php/dmame/article/view/2 [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Cauderay, G.C. 1993. Anti-Personnel Mines. International Review of the Red Cross, 33(295), pp.273-287. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020860400080530.
Congalton, R.G. & Green, K. 2019. Assessing the Accuracy of Remotely Sensed Data: Principles and Practices, Third Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429052729.
Congedo, L. 2021. Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin: A Python tool for the download and processing of remote sensing images in QGIS. The Journal of Open Source Software, 6(64), art.number:3172. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.03172.
-Copernicus. 2020. Copernicus Open Access Hub [online]. Available at: https://scihub.copernicus.eu/ [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Ćujić, M., Janković Mandić, Lj., Petrović, J., Dragović, R., Đorđević, M., Đokić, M. & Dragović, S. 2021. Radon-222: environmental behavior and impact to (human and non-human) biota. International Journal of Biometeorology, 65, pp.69-83. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01860-w.
Duro, D.C., Franklin, S.E. & Dubé, M.G. 2012. A comparison of pixel-based and object-based image analysis with selected machine learning algorithms for the classification of agricultural landscapes using SPOT-5 HRG imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment, 118, pp.259-272. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2011.11.020.
-Eorc.Jaxa. 2019. Precise Global Digital 3D Map "ALOS World 3D" [online]. Available at: https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/en/dataset/aw3d_e.htm [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Fairlie, I. 2009. Depleted uranium: properties, military use and health risks. Medicine, Conflict and Survival, 25(1), pp.41-64. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13623690802568962.
-Google Earth. 2020. Geospatial Solutions: Google Earth Pro 7.3.3.7786 [online]. Available at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/ [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
-Government of Canada. 2021. What is Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO)? [online]. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/uxo/what-is-uxo.html [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Karasiak, N. 2016. lennepkade/dzetsaka: Fix bug in processing provider with vector files. Zenodo.org. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2552284.
Krneta Nikolić, J.D., Todorović, D.J., Janković, M.M., Pantelić, G.K. & Rajačić, M.M. 2014. Quality assurance and quality control in environmental radioactivity monitoring. Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops and Foods, 6(4), pp.403-409. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3920/QAS2012.0.236.
-Landmine Action. 2002. Summary: Explosive remnants of war, Unexploded ordnance and postconflict communities [online]. Available at: http://www.cpeo.org/pubs/UXOreport_3_26.pdf (Accessed: 25 November 2022).
Martin, M.F., Dolven, B., Feickert, A. & Lum, T. 2019. War Legacy Issues in Southeast Asia: Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). Congressional Research Service [online]. Available at: https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/R45749.pdf [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Mas, J.F. & Flores, J.J. 2008. The application of artificial neural networks to the analysis of remotely sensed data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 29(3), pp.617-663. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01431160701352154.
McLaughlin, J.P., Vintró, L.L., Smith, K.J., Mitchell, P.I. & Žunić, Z.S. 2003. Actinide analysis of a depleted uranium penetrator from a 1999 target site in southern Serbia. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 64(2-3), pp.155-165. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(02)00046-2.
Mihajlović, Lj., Komazec, N., Milinčić, M., Mihajlović, B. & Đorđević, T. 2014. Prevention of Environmental Migration Using GIS as a Research Method. In: Trajanović. M. & Stanković, M. (Eds.) 6th International ICT Conference, Proceedings, Niš, Serbia, pp.60-63, October 14-16 [online]. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/10518758/Proceedings_of_6th_International_ICT_Conference [Accessed: 20 May 2023]. ISBN: 978-86-80593-52-4.
Orlić, M. 2000. Depleted uranium as a product of nuclear technology. In: XLIV ETRAN Conference, Sokobanja, Serbia, pp.35-42, June 26-29 [online]. Available at: https://www.etran.rs/common/archive/ETRAN_1955-2006/ET(R)AN_1955-2006/eTRAN/44.ETRAN.2000.4/Orlic.M.ETRAN.2000.4.pdf (in Serbian) [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Pamučar, D., Božanić, D., Đorović, B. & Milić, A. 2011. Modelling of the fuzzy logical system for offering support in making decisions within the engineering units of the Serbian Army. International Journal of Physical Sciences, 6(3), pp.592-609 [online]. Available at: https://academicjournals.org/journal/IJPS/article-abstract/139CC9428354 [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Plackett, RL 1976. Reviewed Work: Discrete Multivariate Analysis: Theory and Practice. by Yvonne M.M. Bishop, Stephen E. Fienberg, Paul W. Holland. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Series A (General), 139(3), pp.402-403. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/2344845.
Popovic, D., Todorovic, D., Frontasyeva, M., Ajtic, J., Tasic, M. & Rajsic, S. 2008. Radionuclides and heavy metals in Borovac, Southern Serbia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 15(6), pp.509-520. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-008-0003-6.
Potić, I.M., Ćurčić, N.B., Potić, M.M., Radovanović, M.M. & Tretiakova, T.N. 2017. Remote sensing role in environmental stress analysis: Eаst Serbia wildfires case study (2007-2017). Journal of the Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic" SASA, 67(3), pp.249-264. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2298/ijgi1703249p.
Potić, I., Mihajlović, Lj.M., Šimunić, V., Ćurčić, N.B. & Milinčić, M. 2022. Deforestation as a Cause of Increased Surface Runoff in the Catchment: Remote Sensing and SWAT Approach—A Case Study of Southern Serbia. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10(June), art.number: 896404. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.896404.
Potić, I. & Potić, M. 2017. Remote sensing machine learning algorithms in environmental stress detection: Case study of Pan-European south section of Corridor 10 in Serbia. The University Thought - Publication in Natural Sciences, 7(2), pp.41-46. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5937/univtho7-14957.
-QGIS. 2022. QGIS A Free and Open Source Geographic Information System [online]. Available at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Radenković, M.B., Cupać, S.A., Joksić, J.D. & Todorović, D.J. 2008. Depleted uranium mobility and fractionation in contaminated soil (Southern Serbia). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 15(1), pp.61-67. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2007.03.399.
Regodić, M. 2008. Remote sensing as a method of space data acquisition. Vojnotehnički glasnik/Military Technical Courier, 56(1), pp.91-112 (in Serbian). Available at: https://doi.org/10.5937/vojtehg0801091R.
-Republika Srbija, Centar za Razminiranje. 2022. Minska situacija: MINSKA SITUACIJA NOVEMBAR 2022. [online]. Available at: https://www.czrs.gov.rs/lat/minska-situacija.php [Accessed: 10 November 2022].
-Republika Srbija, Republički zavod za statistiku. 2023. Popis stanovništva, domaćinstava i stanova, Popis 2011, Popisni podaci - eksel tabele [online]. Available at: https://www.stat.gov.rs/sr-Latn/oblasti/popis/popis-2011/popisni-podaci-eksel-tabele (in Serbian) [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
Sahoo, S.K., Fujimoto, K., Čeliković, I., Ujić, P. & Žunić, Z.S. 2004. Distribution of uranium, thorium, and isotopic composition of uranium in soil samples of south Serbia: Evidence of depleted uranium. Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, 19(1), pp.26-30. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2298/NTRP0401026S.
Salomonson, V.V. 2014. Remote Sensing, Historical Perspective. In: Njoku, EG (Eds) Encyclopedia of Remote Sensing. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series, pp.684-691. New York, NY: Springer. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36699-9_158.
Tadono, T., Nagai, H., Ishida, H., Oda, F., Naito, S., Minakawa, K. & Iwamoto, H. 2016. Generation of the 30 M-MESH global digital surface model by alos prism. In: XXIII ISPRS Congress: The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XLI-B4, Prague, Czech Republic, July 12-19. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsarchives-XLI-B4-157-2016.
Tarboton, D.G., Dash, P. & Sazib, N. 2015. TauDEM 5.3: Guide to using the TauDEM command line functions 2015. Logan: Utah State University [online]. Available at: https://hydrology.usu.edu/taudem/taudem5/TauDEM53CommandLineGuide.pdf [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
-The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). 2019. Explosive ordnance: Types of explosive ordnance [online]. Available at: https://www.gichd.org/en/explosive-ordnance/ [Accessed: 20 May 2023].
-UN Institute for Disarmament Research. 2008. Disarmament forum. 2008/1 = Forum du désarmement. 2008/1. Geneva: UN Institute for Disarmament Research [online]. Available at: http://digitallibrary.un.org/record/633351. ISBN/ISSN: 1020-7287.
Vukanac, I., Novković, D., Kandić, A., Djurašević, M. & Milošević, Z. 2010. A simple method for determination of natural and depleted uranium in surface soil samples. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 68(7-8), pp.1433-1434. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2009.11.056.
Copyright (c) 2023 Ivan M. Potić, Nenad M. Komazec, Ljiljana М. Mihajlović, Aleksandar M. Milić, Saša Т. Bakrač
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Proposed Creative Commons Copyright Notices
Proposed Policy for Military Technical Courier (Journals That Offer Open Access)
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).