Nitrate pollution monitoring: NUBIP students master european experience within the EU_NITRA_UKR project 

April 1, 2026. A laboratory session (4 academic hours) was held as part of the educational module of the EU_NITRA_UKR project. The seminar, titled “The 1991 EU Nitrates Directive implementation in Ukrainian circular economy: problems and solutions”, was attended by 24 first-year students (Group 12) from the Agrobiological Faculty at NUBiP of Ukraine, who are enrolled in English-taught disciplines.

       The laboratory work opened a new perspective of professional responsibility for future agronomists. The session focused not merely on chemical analysis but on a profound understanding of the European Union's environmental and legislative standards, specifically the Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC.

       During the session, students stepped into the role of a "nitrogen cycle manager." The primary focus was on the critical limit of 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare, which represents the “golden mean” between farm productivity and environmental protection. Students observed first-hand that exceeding this limit leads to groundwater pollution and eutrophication of water bodies. In the EU context, this exposes farmers to severe sanctions, ranging from a 60% reduction in subsidies to substantial administrative fines.

 The experimental part of the work covered two key areas: 

  Water Monitoring: Students compared nitrate levels in samples from wells and open water bodies against the threshold of 50 mg/L. The analysis results served as a basis for modelling scenarios to determine whether a specific territory should be designated as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

  Crop and Horticultural Product Quality: While examining vegetables and leafy greens, future specialists identified a direct link between agricultural practices and food safety. High nitrate content in spinach or carrots served as an indicator of violating "closed periods" for fertilizer application.

Measurements were conducted using a modern device - the HORIBA LAQUAtwin NO3-11 pocket meter. The device demonstrated high precision, with a relative error of approximately 3% over three replicates.

A particular highlight was a calculation-based case study where students resolved a real-world dilemma: how a farmer with a specific livestock population can comply with European environmental regulations.

Conclusion: This laboratory session proved that a modern Ukrainian agronomist must be not only a technologist but also an ecologist and an expert in European law. Operating according to EU standards ensures the competitiveness of Ukrainian products and the environmental safety of future generations.