NATO-backed scientists have planted a giant 13-foot-tall weed in war-ravaged land near Bucha, hoping its roots will help clean up polluted soil in Ukraine.

More than four years of war have left parts of Ukraine with lasting damage. Its impact was not only limited to buildings and infrastructure, but also to the natural environment. Areas that once supported forests, wildlife and agriculture have turned into barren lands that can take years to recover.Ukraine’s rich black soil has long been one of the country’s biggest strengths. These natural assets have helped the European nation become one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of grains. Years of war have left it devastated and polluted, making farming difficult in some places.Researchers at Jan Evangelista Borken University (UJEP) in the Czech Republic are testing giant miscanthus, a fast-growing grass, to see if it can gradually remove harmful pollutants from contaminated soil while producing biomass that can be used for energy.This research is part of a NATO-supported project that aims to reduce environmental damage caused by military conflict. Scientists say the process is slow and may take years, but preliminary results suggest the grass may improve soil health and prepare damaged land for future agriculture.

Breadbasket Europe

Ukraine is often called the “breadbasket of Europe” because of its vast expanses of black soil, or black soil. The soil is rich in nutrients and organic matter, making it one of the most fertile soils in the world.

It has helped Ukraine become a major producer of wheat, corn and other crops.However, after nearly four and a half years of war, large areas of agricultural land have been affected by military activity. The soil in some areas has been contaminated with petroleum products, explosives and other pollutants.Heavy vehicles, bombing, and fighting also damaged the land by compacting the soil and destroying plants. Restoring this land will be necessary if it is to be used for agriculture again.

Test giant Miscanthus

At a pilot site at a former brown coal mine near Most in the north of the Czech Republic, researchers are growing a giant Miscanthus plant to understand how it behaves in damaged soil.“The goal is to revitalize polluted areas with biomass production,” says UJEP ecologist Joseph Trugel, according to Agence France-Presse.Giant Miscanthus originally comes from East Asia but is now grown throughout Europe. It is mainly used as a biomass crop because its dried stems can be burned to produce heat and energy.Researchers believe the plant may also help clean up polluted land through a natural process called phytoremediation.

How does grass help soil?

Scientists say that the plant develops a large and deep root system. These roots can trap some harmful substances, including some metals and other pollutants, while improving the condition of the soil.The grass is “able to grow in degraded, contaminated soil and produce extensive root systems that can accumulate minerals while simultaneously restoring soil organic matter,” says Ember Morrissey, a biologist at West Virginia University and co-author of a recent study on giant Miscanthus.According to researchers, most pollutants remain in the roots underground. The stems and leaves that grow above ground remain largely clean and can still be harvested as biomass.The plant also improves soil quality in another important way. “The plant also sends up to 40% of the organic matter it produces through photosynthesis into the soil through its roots, which is much more than other agricultural plants,” Trugel said.Photosynthesis is the natural process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into food for growth while releasing oxygen. During this process, the giant Miscanthus stores a large amount of carbon in the soil through its roots. Scientists say this helps rebuild organic matter in the soil, making the earth healthier over time.

Improve the soil naturally

Healthy soil contains an organic material called humus, which helps retain water and nutrients needed for plant growth.

Giant miscanthus encourages humus formation more effectively than many other crops, Trugel says.“The development of humus and soil fertility here is better than under other plants,” he said, adding that the grass also supports microorganisms in the soil to decompose organic pollutants such as petroleum faster.Soil microorganisms are small organisms, including bacteria and fungi, that naturally break down harmful substances.

By creating better conditions for these organisms, the plant may help speed up the restoration of contaminated land.

Research is ongoing in Ukraine

The Czech research is not limited to laboratory tests. Since 2023, scientists have also planted giant miscanthus in Vorzel, near Bucha, a suburb of Kiev.Russian forces occupied the area between February and March 2022 before being liberated the following month. It was later removed from the mines during the fall of 2022.According to Valentina Bedlesnyuk, a Ukrainian-born professor at UJEP who leads the research team, the Earth has suffered widespread environmental damage.She added: “Russian forces occupied the area between February and March 2022, and it was liberated in April 2022, then it was cleared of mines in the fall of 2022.”

Early results are encouraging

Although the herb takes several years to show its full effect, scientists say initial results are positive. Bedlesnyuk said that analyzes conducted so far have shown positive effects on soil biological parameters and carbon sequestration.Carbon sequestration means trapping and storing carbon in the soil rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. Not only does this improve soil quality, but it can also help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change.Researchers say the project gives them valuable information on how to restore damaged land using natural methods rather than relying solely on expensive engineering solutions.Researchers from the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Canada, Croatia, Kazakhstan and the United States are participating in the project, which is worth 346 thousand euros (about 395 thousand dollars). It is currently scheduled to continue until next year.