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“The danger of detonation is caused by a large amount of the substance. This is one. And the other is a prolonged high temperature and there is a fire around. If ammonium nitrate receives this heat for a long time, at high temperatures it can detonate, explode. And the second reason you can explode is a sudden, very strong blow. If a shot is taken, it can explode from the shock wave, ”explains Professor Māra Jure of Riga Technical University.
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“The ammonia nitrate mineral bag can be thrown into the trunk of the car and nothing will happen. And we can keep it in a greenhouse, a shed and there will be nothing if it doesn’t have these two options mentioned above, in which it can explode, ”says Jure.
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Seven years ago, the Riga fertilizer terminal for fertilizer handling and temporary storage started operating in the port of Riga in Kundziņsala.
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Last year, the terminal handled about 800 thousand tons of dangerous anomie nitrate fertilizers. They are transported to Latvia by rail, but from Riga they are further transported by ships.
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In 2018, the Environmental Service found that the terminal had transhipped more hazardous fertilizers for more than a year. Administrative liability and administrative penalty were applied for the total overrun of the year.
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However, the Freeport of Riga Authority emphasizes that this is the most modern and safest terminal in Northern Europe.
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