Assessment Methodologies for Soil/Groundwater Contamination at Former Military Bases in Lithuania

Abstract

A total of 421 military units were built at 275 sites in Lithuania during the years of Soviet occupation. These units had an important influence on the environment of the country as many of the sites were contaminated by oil products, organic materials and chemicals. After the withdrawal of the Russian army it was necessary to urgently evaluate the extent of military pollution in order to assess possible future use of the sites for defence and\/or non-mili- tary purposes. An appropriate methodology was consequently required for such an assessment. An international team consisting of scientists from the Geological Survey of Lithuania, the Geological Survey of Norway, the Canadian Department of National Defence and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment were awarded a NATO Scientific Affairs Division Grant for the development of a methodology for investigations of soil\/groundwater contamination at former military sites in Lithuania. The results of this co-operative work are presented in this report.