Preliminary environmental assessment of sediments in Nova Kakhovka Reservoir – Ukraine

Project snapshot

Region: Ukraine

Dates: April 2024 – February 2025

Partners: UNEP; NICOLE members; Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of NAAN, Ukraine; Institute of Horticulture of NAAS, Ukraine; NGO INPOLIT Ukraine; ALS Laboratories Czech Republic, SRO; ERM International Group Limited; ERM Foundation; TAUW Group; TAUW Foundation; Liljemark Consulting; DND Biotech; Earthsoft, Inc.; ESRI

Funding sources: Governments of Czechia, Japan and the United States of America; ERM Foundation; TAUW Foundation

Following the Nova Kakhovka dam breach, the NICOLE Foundation led sediment assessments and built local capacity to guide safe recovery and future land use.

Why this work matters

When the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine was breached, more than 40 potential environmental hotspots were identified in the flood-affected area. Newly exposed sediments presented risks for human health, ecosystems and future land use, especially if the land were to be repurposed for agriculture.

Reliable data was urgently needed to support recovery. The NICOLE Foundation partnered with UNEP and Ukrainian institutions to provide scientifically sound assessments and build capacity for ongoing environmental monitoring.

Our approach

Activities delivered

• Developed a conceptual site model to evaluate potential environmental impacts.

• Designed a sampling programme under active conflict conditions.

• Created a digital environment for data storage, mapping and collaboration, usable by UNEP for future sampling activities across Ukraine.

• Trained and equipped local field teams for safe sampling and data collection.

• Collected and analysed sediment and surface water samples.

• Conducted a preliminary risk screening and developed recommendations.

Technical methodologies

• Safe operations in conflict zones, including planning for chemical, physical and military risks.

• Risk screening for potential crop production and consumption scenarios.

• Development of precautionary, remedial and recovery measures where pollutants were detected.

• Establishment of a GIS-based digital programme for data management.

• Capacity development for Ukrainian partners in sampling, analysis and digital tools.

Results and impact

Key achievements

• Collected 30 sediment and 2 surface water samples from the depleted reservoir and nearby streams in Zaporizhzhia, plus 8 sediment samples downstream near Kherson.

• Detected consistent presence of metals (including heavy metals), low levels of halogenated volatile organics, petroleum hydrocarbons, and PAHs.

• Found radionuclide concentrations generally below calculated risk triggers.

• Conducted preliminary risk assessment showing limited drivers of unacceptable risk under the exposure scenarios evaluated.

Challenges

• Active military operations prevented access to suspected hotspot areas.

• Sampling locations were biased to Ukrainian-controlled areas, limiting representativeness.

• Limited local technical capacity for sampling and analysis required intensive in-person training.

• Conflict-related restrictions on transportation and sample shipment required costly alternative solutions.

Lessons learned

• Securing permissions and clearances across multiple government and military levels is essential.

• Scientific trade-offs must be accepted when access is restricted.

• Practical in-person training is critical to building local capability.

• Alternative approaches for transport and logistics must be anticipated in conflict settings.

Closing statement

Despite extraordinary challenges, this project delivered vital data and built local expertise, laying the groundwork for Ukraine’s green recovery and future environmental resilience.

The NICOLE Foundation welcomes collaboration with partners and funders to advance projects like these.

Supported Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs):