Chornozem
Ecocide is a military tactic aimed at the deliberate destruction of ecosystems and resources to destabilize regions. One of the most unexpected yet long-lasting consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (since 2014 and ongoing) is the pollution of agricultural soils with heavy metals. These seemingly inconsequential traces of munitions, fuel, and explosives not only undermine the economic stability of the agrarian state but also inflict serious and long-term damage on ecosystems.
Unlike traditional laboratory methods of point-based soil analysis, «Chornozem» adopts a forensic logic to expose toxic hotspots in agricultural fields. The project proposes to integrate an activated curcumin solution into fertilizers to be sprayed after plowing. Curcumin naturally fluoresces under UV light but experiences a visual change after contact with heavy metal ions. Reusing military drone imaging and computer vision, contaminated areas are identified for further analysis and targeted remediation.
The goal of this project is to develop an accessible and low-cost method that enables farmers to independently conduct initial assessments of their fields to evaluate safety for cultivation.
«Chornozem» thus advocates for recognizing ecosystem destruction not as collateral damage but as a crime. It also emphasizes the urgent need to develop accessible and spatial tools for monitoring, protection, and restoration of damaged ecosystems.
