Environmental pollution is a very important factor in assessing the stability of the natural ecosystems of the territories. At the same time, contaminated territories become secondary sources of pollution, as pollutants are spread to other territories with air or water transport. In this way, pollutants transform the ecosystems of the surrounding areas and pose a risk to human health. The range of components of the weapons used for military training, and at the same time potential environmental pollutants, changed over time and have become quite diverse. The previously used Soviet gunpowder, explosives and rocket fuel components (propellants), after Lithuania joined NATO, was supplemented by various weapons produced in the USA and countries of the European Union.
Although a lot is known about the risk of environmental pollution posed by various economic activities, the same cannot be said about the risks posed by military activities directly related to the performance of military tasks. This is a very important and relevant scientific question, because in many countries (including Lithuania) military training grounds are established in remote, but ecologically and environmentally sensitive territories. Furthermore, the military conflicts taking place in neighboring countries raise questions about the ecological restoration of territories depleted by military activities.
The research of the doctoral student would be aimed to the analysis of soil as well as bottom sediments and water of water bodies. Identification and analysis of the spread of potential pollutants (residues of energy and technical components of weapons) and their toxicity would be carried out in military training grounds. Based on the obtained research results, the doctoral student should perform ecological risk assessment and forecasting of military territories as well as propose the most suitable measures for risk prevention and restoration of contaminated territories from an ecological and environmental point of view.