English - Convention on Biological Diversity

70
COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
In general, there is no continuous monitoring of the state of the groundwater, with
analyses being made only on an as-needed basis. One of the analyses made in the area of
Skopye recorded the presence of trichloroethylene and zinc in the vicinity of the
industrial complex, “OHIS,” as well as increased levels of radioactivity (about 13 Bq/l)
near Petrovets airport.
Such a state of degraded water quality strongly affects biodiversity and the stability
of all aquatic ecosystems. Only those aquatic systems located high in the mountains are
relatively unspoiled, but past military operations which took place on Shar Planina
Mountain are likely to have had some adverse impacts on even these.
The main polluters of water in Macedonia consist of the following industries:
chemical, leather, food processing, metal refining and other industries, as well as swine
production facilities and communal wastewaters.
3.6.3.2. Terrestrial and soil pollution
Soil pollution in Macedonia is extensive and represents a serious threat to
biodiversity. There are several distinct sources of pollution, characteristic of the
conditions in Macedonia:
• industry and mining (through atmospheric emissions and wastewater – primarily
from heavy metals);
• periodic irrigation with polluted water in some regions (heavy metals and nitrates);
• use of pesticides and fertilisers (persistent organic compounds);
• improper disposal of wastes (toxic organic substances);
• transportation, especially exhaust gases from vehicles (heavy metals – lead [Pb]);
• trans-border pollution etc.
Regardless of the source for the pollution, there are several heavily polluted regions
in Macedonia:
• the regions in and around major urban centres (mainly due to traffic);
• industrial regions (due to emission of pollutants into the environment), such as
Veles, Skopye and Bitola;
• agricultural regions under intense use (Strumichko Pole Plain, Polog, Pelagonia,
Kochansko Pole Plain etc);
• smaller areas surrounding landfills, dumps etc;
The most endangered ecosystems and habitats in terms of soil pollution are the
agricultural habitats located in the Oak forest belt. Because this belt covers a large part
of the Republic of Macedonia, certain rare habitats are not directly endangered;
however, the pollution of the soil still represents a threat to the habitats which exist in atrisk
locations through their reduction and/or destruction.
3.6.3.3. Air pollution
Air and soil pollution (Section 3.6.3.2.) are closely related. The regions of the
country with the highest amounts of soil pollution are also the same as those
characterised by high amounts of air pollution (this also includes agricultural regions,
with air pollution primarily coming from ammonia, nitrates, phosphorus etc).