Scientific & Methodical Approaches to Assessment of Ecological and Economic Losses Caused by Contamination of Agrarian Soils

Abstract

The article analyzes the current state of soil contamination in Ukraine and valid method of determining loss from contamination. Losses from soil contamination can be direct and indirect ones. Direct losses, on the total, characterize reduction of consumer’s cost of land as a tool and object of labour. Indirect losses are predefined by decline in yield of agricultural crops on contaminated soils, worsened quality of products, increase in unit-cost of contaminated produce through increased per cent of semi-fixed expenditures due to reduced crop productivity. A scientific and methodical approach to the assessment of internal ecological and economic losses of agricultural enterprises from soil contamination is grounded. Basic criteria to determinate internal ecological and economical losses from soils’ contamination are losses of profit whose obtaining is the main goal of the enterprise performance in marketing conditions. Major constituents of internal ecological and economical loss incurred by an agrarian enterprise are: losses of profit due to obtaining less products than expected, because of shortage of crop yield through contamination of soils; losses of profit due to deteriorated quality of agricultural produce through contamination of soils; losses of enterprise profits due to increase of product unit-cost through declined labour productivity, predefined by reduction of crop-yield productivity at the same rates of semi-fixed expenditures. Such complex science & methodical approach to determination of loss on micro-economical level can help one completely identify losses of agricultural production, caused by contamination of soils and strengthening one’s attention hereto, possibly, increasing responsibility of contaminants for quality of soils and products obtained hereof.