Environmental research

One of the most significant characteristics of the modern age is the absolute dominance of the oil and its derivates, as a source of energy for transport and as a fuel for all kind of mechanization. The burning of oil in the process of usage, causes global climate changes greenhouse effect and emission of dangerous gases, and in case of collapse or inadequate storing / transportation pollution of the soil and water. Also, the oil is a limited resource, and the increased demand of oil on the market causes growth of the prize and economy collapses. On the other side, big part of the agricultural land in Macedonia is left unused and neglected. Such is the case of Municipality of Probistip and its villages. The Municipality has a serious reason for not using the agricultural land for production: part of the land is not suitable for production of any kind of crops for human nutrition or as feed for livestock because of the pollution with heavy metals such as lead, zinc, cadmium (as a result of waste water flood in 1979 and 1986). One of the project main goals is regarding the so called central area (CLIMATE CHANGES); promotion of production and usage of sustainable energy for reducing the negative effects on the environment, and lowering the coast of energy, especially for the local community. Innovation of this project is its attempt to cause effect in two significant areas: Protection and improvement of the local environment, by decontamination of one of the most fertile regions in Eastern Macedonia and improvement of the standard of life and economy of local (agricultural) population by production of eco-acceptable biofuels, which will increase their incomes and local economy growth. Biofuels do not cause pollution of the environment; do not cause global ecological catastrophes in cases of spillage etc. International researches show that the most perspective are the alternative fuels or biofuels (fuels produced from biomass) One of those fuels is BIODIESEL. BIODEASEL is a commercial name for the METHYL ESTAR (ME). (ME) is a liquid, standard non-mineral fuel, which is totally decomposable, non-toxic, and has a unique characteristic-reduces toxic gasses that cause the greenhouse effect. Republic of Macedonia is mostly agricultural country, but with extensive agricultural economy, with bad economical condition of the producers and their inability to purchase modern technologies and mechanization. Fuel is a huge problem for this people, especially the growing prices of the oil, which is one major limiting factor for usage of modern agro-mechanization. In the period of 2006-2007, an extensive project has been implemented in cooperation with Japanese government, regarding determination of the area of contaminated agricultural landing. Agricultural land along river Zletovica of approximately 4500 ha has been tested. About 750 ha are determined to be contaminated and Land cadastre for contaminated areas was established. This area needs remediation in order to be back in normal condition. It was recommended that remediation should be done by using crops appropriate for bio-diesel production. GENERAL GOAL, SPECIFIC GOALS, ACTIVITIES AND VISIBLE INFLUENCE OF THE PROJECT SHOWN BY INDICATORS GENERAL GOAL Protection and improvement of the environment, by decontamination of 20 ha agricultural areas, planned with this project, part of the 750 ha polluted with heavy metals. Crops such as (turnip, beets, sunflower) will be used for production of biofuels with multiple effects - production of new type fuel for the agricultural machinery - decontamination of the fertile agricultural land - lowering agricultural expenses SPECIFIC GOAL number 1. Lowering the effect on the global climate by lowering the emission of the greenhouse effect causing gases and lower usage of diesel fuels-the literature has many examples of reduced emission of GG ,such as carbohydrate monoxide, sodium oxides by using biofuels. One of the project of PMG program implemented in Poland (Small-scale Biofuel production for Agriculture, Poland), showed that the use of biodiesel lowers the usage of diesel fuel for tractors by 50-75% ACTIVITIES: 1.Production of biodiesel fuels (from 1 ton of turnip average 0,4 tons of biodiesel is produced for the agricultural production of the local habitants. Measurable influence / indicators A) Lower emission of greenhouse effect causing gasses Determination by direct measures of gases realized by burning biodiesel in tractors and vehicle motors. B) Reduced usage of diesel fuel for tractors and other agricultural machinery, and also determining of quantity of usage of diesel and biodiesel per unit. SPECIFIC GOAL number 2. Decontamination of the agricultural land polluted with heavy metals, which soil can not be used for food production. ACTIVITIES: 1. 1.Selection (after testing the quality of the soil) and preparation of the land for planting of cultures, suitable for production of biodiesel (turnip): 2. Planting of selected 20 ha agricultural land (in the next 10 years 750 ha of polluted agricultural soil, is planned for remediation) 3. Collection of the crops and production of biodiesel, 4. Quality testing of the produced fuel and firm waste. 5. Testing of the quality of the soil after the finishing of the project (two extracting processes. Measurable influence / indicators A) Setting the degree of decontamination of the soil, by measuring the level of heavy metals in the soil, by samples taken before the planting a

Macedonia