4.1 Monitoring

Monitoring is a system for monitoring and controlling the state and changes in the environment, that is, a system for monitoring environmental pollution.   

Why is monitoring needed?

• to determine whether and to what extent nature and man are endangered by the emission of pollutants;
• to verify that 'potential pollutants' comply with the legally permitted levels of pollution;
• to provide relevant data about pollution level which is then made available to interested parties (the state and / or the public);
• to prevent and eliminate the unintended consequences of environmental pollution in a timely and effective manner.

The goals of the monitoring are:

• warnings and / or prevention of unintended consequences and environmental hazards;
• monitoring of changes already made to prevent further negative impact

One of the measures for the protection and conservation of soil is the implementation of monitoring, which is a permanent monitoring of the state of all changes in agricultural and non-agricultural soil, and in particular the monitoring of the content of dangerous and harmful substances. A very important indicator of soil fertility is the quantitative content of humus, as well as its quality. Soils rich in humus contain large reserves of biogenic elements that keep the humus from leaching and is,after mineralization, available to the plants. Soil, as a very complex ecosystem, is home to numerous and diverse microorganisms, which make up the most significant component of the biological phase of the soil. Soil should also be seen as a multifunctional system, not as a set of physical and chemical properties. In addition to being a source of food, water, it is a source of biodiversity and an environment for human beings. Therefore, regular monitoring of the soil condition is a necessary precondition for preserving the quality of life and the survival of the living world.

One of the safest methods of environmental pollution monitoring is biological monitoring, which involves the use of living organisms as bioindicators of environmental changes in space and time. This method monitors the accumulation of pollutants in the tissues and organs of living beings, but also all changes (biochemical, morphological, physiological) in individuals or in populations resulting from pollution.

When talking about types of bioindicators, plants should be singled out as indicators and hyperaccumulators of various pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides) in soil. One example is the Viola arsenic species, which is an indicator of arsenic-rich soils. Either species of Urtica dioica and Urtica urens, commonly known as nettles, indicate an increased concentration of nitrates and nitrites in the soil and usually inhabit nitrified habitats in urban and rural settings. Probably the most famous heavy metal hyperaccumulator is “Thlaspi caerulescens”. While the majority of plants show symptoms of toxicity at a zinc (Zn) concentration of about 100 ppm, this plant accumulates at a concentration of 26,000 ppm without any damage.

Establishment of a systematic monitoring of soil quality is based on the experience of European countries in the application of methodology, method of site selection, fieldwork, sampling, list of parameters, methods and standards for physical, chemical and biological soil analysis, timeframe and dynamics of data collection with precise established sampling stations - sampling sites and standardized methods for sample collection and analysis.

The aim of establishing the Soil Monitoring Program is to establish continuous permanent monitoring of pedogenetic processes, endomorphological and ectomorphological changes, quality and condition of the soil. The European Commission and the European Environmental Agency (EEA) have made recommendations regarding the basic and specific parameters for the effective characterization of soil in the site.

4.2 Soil sanation, remediation and recultivation

The objective of the soil protection strategy is the protection and sustainable management of soil, based on the principles of preserving the role of soil, preventing degradation, mitigating the effects of degradation and repairing degraded soil.

Sanation or remediation is the process of taking measures to stop pollution and further environmental degradation to a level that is safe for future use of the site, including soilscaping, revitalization and reclamation. In this case, by definition a contaminated site is a site where the presence of dangerous and harmful substances, caused by human activity, is confirmed at such concentrations that can cause significant risk to human health and the environment.

Recultivation processes are processes of restoring soil to its original or other purpose, following anthropogenic processes that led to its degradation. However, its formation and regeneration is very slow, which obliges the soil user to manage it well, regardless of the soil’s purpose. This management must be in line with the concept that soil has a many roles, which is enshrined in EU legal documents, where soil and its protection are given particular importance.

Recultivation is the process of closing down and remodeling an area after a production shutdown or disposal of waste. Recultivation is carried out on mines, surface mines, tailings pits, quarries, clays, landfills after the cessation of exploitation in order to repair degraded areas. The process includes prevention of further erosion, strengthening and stabilization of the soil ground, drainage, filling and covering of tailings, amelioration, greening and afforestation. After recultivation it is possible to grow crop and fruit crops.

Technical recultivation on surface mines is carried out in the process of exploitation and represents the planned design of the surface mine and soilfill, and includes the planning of the surface of the terrain, formation of recultivation surface, construction and mitigation of slopes of side slopes, construction of hydro-technical, soil reclamation and other facilities that accompany works on soil surfaces. Biological recultivation enables the use of soil prepared by technical reclamation. Biological recultivation is a complex and time-consuming process, which involves the implementation of a number of necessary measures, which should facilitate and speed up pedological processes. The implementation of biological recultivation requires a preliminary analysis of the existing situation in the field and a phase-out, as well as a follow-up of the process and constant correction.

Biological measures are applied in the final stage of recultivation process. These measures include the application of agricultural and forest soil recultivation, which contribute to the stability and maintenance of the recultivated areas, but are much more significant from the aspect of space revitalization and the establishment of natural biocenoses. Biological recultivation involves the sowing of arable crops and the planting of fruit crops and afforestation. In order for the process to proceed at a faster pace, it is necessary to bring in large quantities of organic and mineral substances to make up for the lack of basic nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Before biological recultivation or lawn sowing is started, the right choice must be made of perennial grasses, legumes or mixtures that are suitable for the given conditions, area, purpose or intended use.

4.3 Inspection supervision of soil protection entities

Zajecar district

Soil protection is executed in accordance with the Law on Soil Protection and within the framework of the legislation. Inspection supervision includes soil protection, systematic monitoring of the condition and quality of soil, sanation, remediation, recultivation, inspection control and other important issues for the protection and conservation of soil as a natural resource of national interest.

The control of the impelementation of the prescribed standards of ecological protection is executed by ecological inspection. Environmental inspections should contribute to the preventive protection of basic ecological values by preventing those activities that do not comply with the integrated permit that may cause environmental pollution.[1]Based on the authority deriving from the Environmental Protection Act, the inspector may order the elimination of irregularities in the implementation of environmental measures, prohibit and temporarily prohibit the further implementation of activities that harm the environment or are suspected of having a negative impact on the environment, order the development of an accident risk assessment and an accident protection plan, as well as order the implementation of emergency measures and procedures for responding to an accident, and undertaking remediation and prevention of the spreading of pollution. In addition, the inspector may initiate three types of proceedings: to file a report with the competent prosecutor's office for the committed criminal offense, to file a complaint with the competent prosecutor's office for the committed economic offense, and to submit a request to the misdemeanor court for instituting misdemeanor proceedings.

Vidin district

The soil protection policy is implemented by the Ministry of the Environment, with the assistance of the Waste Management and Soil Conservation Directorate, in accordance with EU legislation and national legislation - the Law of Environmental Protection, the Soil Law, the Protection of Agricultural Soil Law and the Waste Management Law.

Also, by adhering to the provisions of the Law on Harmful Impact of Chemical Substances and Preparations and the Regulations on their Application, as well as from the Strategic Documents - National Action Program for Sustainable Soil Management and Suppression of Desertification in 2014-2020, regional and local protection strategies, plans and programs aim to keep the protection of the soil at a high level.

[1] Environmental Inspection Supervision Plan for 2018. Sector for Environmental Supervision and Precaution, Ministry of Environmental Protection of RS, Belgrade

4.4 Soil protection planning at local and regional level

When it comes to environmental planning, it is widely reported that it all began in 1992, when the United Nations Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development was held in Rio de Janeiro. Then Agenda 21 was adopted, representing a global action plan for sustainable development for the 21st century.[1] The role of local and regional authorities is specifically defined in section 28 of this Agenda, which emphasizes the necessity for local authorities to engage in dialogue with their citizens, local organizations, entrepreneurs and other actors in the process of adopting local plans.

In the meantime, a large number of Central and Eastern European countries have achieved EU membership, and thus have adopted environmental commitments. The latest in a series of plans is the "Environmental Action Programme (EAP) until 2020".[2] This plan provides a long-term environmental strategy designed that is able to meet the challenges of the future and the increasingly systematic risks they carry. It provides a comprehensive approach to the environment and directs towards a green and competitive economy that will conserve our natural resources and health for this and future generations.

Zajecar district

Each local government in the Republic of Serbia adopts the Environmental Protection Program in its territory (State GaState Gazette of the Republic of Serbia). RS “No. 12/2010). The Local Environmental Action Plan (LEAP) delivers:

▪ improving understanding of local environmental issues,

▪ ranking of problems in relation to human health, eco - systems, quality of life in general,

▪ rationally using limited resources on priority problems,

▪ Designing a LEAP that fully integrates technical, policy and management solutions

Integration of environmental issues into spatial and urban planning is enabled by Art. Of the Law on Environmental Protection and the Law on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (“State Gazette of the RS” no. 135/04 and 88/10) and given that they all represent the legal framework for assessing the impact of spatial and urban plans for the environment. General objectives are a prerequisite for the implementation of specific goals and form an integral part of environmental policy in economic and environmental sectors.

For the area of Zajecar, in February 2012, planning documents entitled “Environmental Program on the Territory of the City of Zajecar for the Period from 2012 to 2019“ were adopted.[3] In the program, activities and time frames for the implementation of environmental policy objectives (waste, air, natural resources, degraded areas, noise, water, soil, non-ionizing radiation, etc.) have been specifically elaborated.

Vidin district

The protection of the banks and soils along the Danube from erosion and soilslides is of particular importance in order to prevent possible damage to the Vidin District. Financial support was provided under Operational Program "Regional Development" through activities under the project "Regional and Local Availability", and Operation 1.4 - "Improving the physical environment and preventing risk". In order to stop erosion processes, flood damage and soilslide activation, smaller infrastructural measures are being financed, such as the construction of dams, retaining walls, fortifications, ie the fight against coastal erosion.

Improper exploitation and increasing soil pollution gradually reduce its fertility and make it unsuitable for agricultural activities. As the soil, as a consequence of pollution, increases the content of toxic substances and changes its chemical composition and disrupts the natural environment of macro and microorganisms, measures are taken to repair it. The soil repair funds are secured under the Operational Program "Environment", ie the project "Improvement and Development of Waste Treatment Infrastructure". This project is aimed at improving the condition of soil and groundwater.

[1] Đorđević, Slađana, Pejić Dušica, Milošević, S., Pavlović Slobodanka, Vujović, Zoran (2018): A participatory approach to design LEAP – case study City of Smederevo. Svarog, 16, 278-290. 

[2] European Commission (2014): The European Union explained. Environment. Brussels

[3] City of Zajecar (2012): "Environmental Program in the City of Zajecar for the Period from 2012 to 2019"

4.5 An example of applied planning techniques for solving soil pollution problems

Zajecar district

Many places in the Republic of Serbia are facing problems of soil pollution, which have arisen as a result of industrial development in the past, as well as other activities. According to the Waste Management Strategy, the amount of historical pollution in the Republic of Serbia is estimated at around 100,000 tons. In the Republic of Serbia, about 440 marked as "black" spots (contaminated sites) have been identified,[1] as a result of industrial activity.

In recent years, the following remediation projects for contaminated sites have been proposed, adopted and partially implemented:

• remediation in the Bor district;
• Velika Bačka’s Channel - remediation;
• Sludge remediation (from Palic and Ludac lakes);
• Industrial wastewater channel Pancevo.

Projects have been launched in the Bor district, addressing urgent environmental and social problems arising from the restructuring of the mining sector. Key activities within the environmental management component are:

• design and execution of construction works on water purification from the lake formed above the tailings from the mine Veliki Krivelj,
• sanation of the tailings dam,
• surface remediation with mining waste and tailings,
• sanation of the collector Veliki Krivelj,
• environmental monitoring.

At the same time, the project "Feasibility Study for Remediation of Surface and Groundwater at Bor Copper Mine" envisages the following activities:

• analysis of surface and groundwater quality, as well as making recommendations for possible remediation measures and techniques adapted to the conditions in the Bor mine,
• identification of deficiencies in institutions (laws), as well as capacity building in the local community, to be able to solve environmental problems at Bor mine.

Based on the adopted strategic goals, as well as legal obligations, each local self-government in the territory of the Republic of Serbia is obliged to periodically adopt environmental plans on its territory. One such plan was adopted by the City of Zajecar, for the period 2012-2019. Within the framework of the implementation of the "Environmental Program on the Territory of the City of Zajecar for the Period from 2012 to 2019" short-term goals are:

• launching organic production while reducing chemical agents
  Contractors: agricultural producers and the Agency for Rural Development of the City of Zajecar;

• development of a plan for the remediation of degraded areas in the Zajecar area
  Contractors: local self-government;

• initiating the implementation of sanation and remediation of contaminated sites from the priority list;
  Contractors: Republic of Serbia and local self-government.

Vidin district

New approaches and directions for soil protection from anthropogenic pollution are currently being developed in the observed area, as a result of the achievements of science and practice, namely:

• selection of new technologies with reduced waste in public production, especially in industry and agriculture;
• reconstruction and construction of new drinking water treatment devices, air filters, etc.;
• optimization of sowing structure in agriculture with the aim of minimizing the need for mineral fertilizers and chemical protection of plants;
• optimization of fertilization and irrigation levels in line with the latest scientific developments;
• reduction of pesticides, due to the development of new biotechnological methods, production and introduction of new biological and hormonal plant protection products, which are environmentally friendly and harmless to humans and animals;

In addition, erosion protection measures are being implemented, covering the following activities:

• for farms with a unique identification number and arable soil whose dimensions are larger than the minimum, and within the support policy (1 hectare for consolidated area payments, 0.5 hectare for others), it is obligatory to include at least 40% of the crop in the collective joint sowing, except for the area for the production of tobacco;
• for the cultivation of agricultural crops, the use of coastal areas at a distance of less than 5 meters from the river is prohibited;
• It is obligatory to preserve and maintain the existing permanent terraces on terraced agricultural soil and, if necessary, to conclude agreements between the soil users and the soilowner;
• The introduction of harvest residues into the soil is a mandatory measure.

At the same time as protection measures, soil users are prohibited from:

• using agricultural machinery in parcels with excessively moist soil;
• burning of harvested and plant residues on agricultural soil and cultivation of flax, sunflower, sugar beet and peas on the same agricultural plot for more than two consecutive years

[1] Božić, V. (2014): Environmental projects - sanation and remediation. Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade

4.6 Role of regulatory authorities

Zajecar district

In the Republic of Serbia, environmental regulation is based on the highest legislative act, the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia. The provisions of Article 74 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 98/06) define that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and to timely and complete informations of its condition, and that everyone is, especially the Republic of Serbia and an autonomous province, responsible for protecting the environment, as well as ensuring that everyone has a duty to protect and improve the environment.

It envisages the right of citizens to a healthy environment, but also their obligation to protect and promote the environment in accordance with the law. The Environmental legislation in the Republic of Serbia makes over 100 laws and other regulations.

Public participation in decision-making processes is a political principle or practice and can be considered as one of human rights. In recent years, public participation has been considered one of the key segments in addressing environmental issues and in stimulating sustainable development. Citizens are the main factors of both problems and solutions to environmental damage.

Internationally, one of the most advanced international environmental treaties, that defines the direction of sustainable development and strengthens basic democratic principles in EU countries, is the Aarhus Convention.[1] The Convention requires that environmental informations transparent that informations are made available to the civilian sector and representatives of all relevant stakeholders, and that they are allowed to participate in policy formulation and live in a healthy environment.

As an international environmental instrument, this Convention contains three sets of rules relating to:

1.  The right of citizens to information availability;
2.  The right of citizens to participate in environmental decision-making;
3.  Rights to legal protection where the previous two rights have been violated.

Vidin district

Pursuant to the Soil Act, the national policy for the protection, sustainable use and restoration of soil at the national level is implemented by the line ministers, namely the Minister of Environment and Water, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, and also other government officials and other stakeholders are assisting in line with their responsibilities.

At regional level, policies for soil conservation, sustainable use and restoration are implemented by regional governors, and at the local level by mayors of municipalities. The competent authorities shall ensure public participation in the decision-making and development of strategies, programs and plans for the conservation, sustainable use and restoration of soil.

In order to protect and sustainably use the soil and limit the processes that damage it, the Soil Act prohibits:

• destruction of erosion and irrigation facilities in cases where this causes damage to the soil;
• destruction of constructed structures and anti-soilslide fortifications;
• application of agricultural practices leading to salinisation, acidification and soil pollution by harmful substances;
• application of tillage technologies that lead to erosion, compaction and damage to its structure;
• destruction or impairment of the integrity of protective forest belts;
• irrigation with contaminated water containing harmful substances above the permitted standards;
• bringing of the sludge into the soil from a wastewater treatment plant that does not meet the requirements of the Rules on the order and manner of using wastewater treatment sludge for their use in agriculture (State Gazette of Bulgaria, No. 112 of 2004);
• introduction of fertilizers, compost and other improvers, biologically active substances and nutrients that do not meet the requirements laid down in the on Plant Protection Act;
• the use of plant protection products that do not meet the requirements of the Ordinance on the approval of plant protection products (State Gazette of Bulgaria No 81/2006; amended by No 62/2007);
• performing production activities that lead to increased salinization, acidification and pollution of soil by harmful substances;
• burning or other forms of uncontrolled disposal, abandonment and unregulated disposal of waste on the soil surface, including agricultural waste, outside the scope of the Waste Management Act;
• burning of stover and other plant residues on the soil surface.

[1] Komnenić Dušanka (2012): the Aarhus Convention. A new approach to environmental protection. LEGAL RECORD, III Year, no. 1 (2012) University Law School Union, 153-176