Ecological consequences of space rocket accidents in Kazakhstan between 1999 and 2018

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 268; no. Pt A; p. 115711
• Main Authors: Koroleva, T.V., Semenkov, I.N., Sharapova, A.V., Krechetov, P.P., Lednev, S.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021
• Subjects: Accidents; Carcinogenic chemicals; Ecological consequences; Ecological damage; Ecosystem; Environmental impact; Hydrogen Peroxide; Kazakhstan; Life-cycle assessment (LCA); Nitrogen; Remediation; Rocket propellant components; Russia; Soil; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Kazakhstan; Russia; Ecological damage; Rocket propellant components; Carcinogenic chemicals; Remediation; Nitrogen; Ecological consequences; Environmental impact; Life-cycle assessment (LCA)
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115711

In this paper, we briefly described the ecological consequences of six space rocket accidents launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome between 1999 and 2018 and focused on an assessment of efficiency of soil remediation following the accidental crash of launch vehicle Proton-M on July 2, 2013, which resulted in the severest environmental impact in the modern Russian space industry. On the day after the accident, the content of carcinogenic unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and nitrosodimethylamine, as well as nitrate in soils of the crash site exceeded their maximal permissible concentrations by 8900, 6100 and 85 times, respectively. Mitigation measures included soil detoxication by a solution of 10% H2O2 and 1% iron complexonate, soil excavation and ploughing. Two years later (in April 2015), both unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and nitrosodimethylamine concentrations were below 0.05 mg/kg and nitrate concentration did not exceed 3.9 g/kg. As compared to background sites, soils of the crash site had significantly (P-value<0.05) lower values of pH and the content of total organic carbon, basicity from soda and carbonates and higher total nitrogen and soluble salt contents. Soil microbial communities were the most vulnerable component of the disturbed arid ecosystems, as their suppressed condition was indicated by a low biochemical oxygen demand and a very low cellulase activity. [Display omitted] •10% H2O2 and 1% iron complexonate reduces UDMH soil pollution effectively.•Soil pollution by rocket propellants was negligible 2 years after accidental falling.•Soil chemical proxies recovered to normal after accidental UDMH pollution in 4 years.•Soil microbial communities is the most vulnerable component of disturbed ecosystems. Remediation of soils affected by the accidental crash of launch vehicle (detoxication by 10% H2O2 and 1% iron complexonate, soil excavation and ploughing) reduced concentration of rocket propellants during 2 years and recovered soil chemical proxies in 4 years.