Projects
- Monitoring river quality in the Southern Caucasus - a joint NATO-OSCE Science for Peace project
- Safe management of radioactive sites in Turkmenistan
- Evaluating radiation levels at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan
- Obsolete pesticides in Moldova - NATO’s role in removing this serious threat
- Uranium extraction and environmental security in the central Asian republics
- Mélange: helping Azerbaijan deal with this serious environmental threat
- Helping preserve the Gulf of Aqaba in the face of global climate change
- Sahara Trade Winds to Hydrogen : Applied Research for Sustainable Energy Systems
- Harmonization of Seismic Hazard Maps for the Western Balkan countries
Multimedia
- Melange disposal project launched in Azerbaijan
(WMV/3.910Kb)
Chapters :
Background
Azerbaijan has approximately 1300 tonnes of mélange
Mélange, is a highly toxic substance that was used by Soviet forces as one of two components to propel small and medium range missiles. In Azerbaijan, mélange, better known as red fuming acid, was stored in aluminium tanks which had been gradually corroding, posing a serious public health and environmental threat.
More...What is being done
NATO-sponsored mélange mobile treatment plant
The construction of a mobile mélange treatment plant was supported by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. With the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) as the project's executing agency, the plant was installed in Azerbaijan in July 2006 and began neutralizing the mélange at the first site in Älät shortly thereafter.
End results
By November 2007 the plant had successfully converted the 950 tonnes of mélange stored in Älät. It was then moved to the second site at Mingäçevir at the end of 2007, and in May 2008 the conversion of the remaining 350 tonnes was completed. The end product, calcium nitrate, will be used as a fertilizer in agriculture.
Deputy Prime Minister Azerbaijan opens the mobile mélange treatment plant
NATO Partner country Uzbekistan has 1110 tonnes of mélange stored on its territory, and as a follow-up to the project in Azerbaijan, the mobile treatment plant will be moved during August 2008 to Aqtash in the Samarkand region. It is expected that the neutralization process will be begin there in October 2008.
“On behalf of the Azerbaijani government, we express deep thanks to the NATO authorities and NAMSA for the destruction of this liquid oxidiser which has become a threat to human life.” Mr. Abid Sharifov, Deputy Prime Minister, Azerbaijan
