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Ukrainian environmental scientists have traveled to Scotland to work with the University of Stirling in addressing the unfolding water crisis in their war-torn country. Staff and postgraduate students from Odessa State Environmental University have joined forces with the Scottish university to receive the practical training they have been missing out on due to the Russian invasion. With Russian attacks on infrastructure in Ukraine causing extensive damage, their expertise is now in high demand.

The destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir in southern Ukraine by Russian forces resulted in severe flooding and left thousands of people without homes and access to clean drinking water in June. This disaster has raised concerns about its catastrophic consequences on food supplies and ecosystems, reaching as far as the Black Sea.

Professor Andrew Tyler, the Scotland Hydro Nation Chair and an environmental science expert, emphasized the importance of satellite technology in conducting research under such adverse circumstances. In conflict zones, conventional sampling techniques widely used in other parts of the world are not feasible. Therefore, providing Ukrainian scientists with the skills to use satellite technology is a game-changer.

The joint research project between Odessa State Environmental University and the University of Stirling aims to carry out remote water quality monitoring using satellite technology. Stirling University’s faculty of natural sciences, equipped with satellites from the European Space Agency, monitors water quality, including algal concentrations, harmful algal blooms, and mineral and organic matter. These satellites and sensors aboard aircraft and in water bodies enable remote sensing and monitoring of water quality.

During their two-week visit, the Ukrainian scientists had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the technology in a safe environment, including a boat trip on Loch Lomond. Professor Valeriya Ovcharuk, director of the Hydrometeorological Institute at Odessa State Environmental University, expressed her gratitude for the experience, highlighting the challenges they face back home due to the ongoing conflict.

The collapse of the Kakhovka reservoir has severely affected agriculture and household water supplies in the south and east regions of Ukraine. The polluted water flowing into the sea has raised concerns about its impact on biodiversity and public health. Professor Nikolai Berlinsky, head of the oceanology and marine management department at Odessa State Environmental University, praised the trip for enhancing their knowledge and expressed hope for a better future despite the challenges they face at home.

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