Geo-Ecological Features of Georgia
26 May, 2013
Uncontrolled activity by humans towards nature is endangering not only nature, but human existence as well. Industrial development has introduced a number of negative impacts along with the positive ones. Sadly, Georgia is not an exception in terms of ecological pollution. In order to study the specifics of the geo-ecological situation in Georgia, scientists from the Geo-ecology and Applied Geo-chemistry Divisions at the Caucasian A. Tvalchrelidze Institute Of Mineral Resources – Murman Kvinikadze, V. Kirakosiani, D. Pataridze, D. Kuparadze and N. Khundadze—carried out research on “Geo-ecological Features of the Georgian Territory’’ within the framework of a grant from the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation, between 2005 and 2010.
The general condition of the territory of Georgia is determined by the following: geo-chemical, hydro-chemical and bio-chemical pollutions caused by technogenic waste, as well as natural radiation sources and radioactive pollution from environmental technogenic sources. The main causes of geo-chemical, hydro-chemical and bio-chemical pollution are mining and industrial (Chiatura, Kvaisi, Tkibuli, Tkvarcheli, Tsana, Madneuli, etc), metallurgical (Rustavi, Zestaponi), oil refining (Batumi) and oil bottling (Supsa) activities. In addition, pipelines (Baku-Supsa and Baku-Jeikhan) and natural gas pipelines are serious causes of pollution.
Analysis of the materials showed that in terms of geo-chemical, hydro-chemical and bio-chemical pollution, the areas of Madneuli and Uravi (currently abandoned) mining industrial complexes are particularly significant and considerably high levels of pollution in these areas are alarming. However, the ecological conditions in territories around Chiatura and Zestaponi mining-metallurgical industries were shown to be relatively stable.
As elsewhere in the world, there are heavy and toxic elements in the soil in Georgian cities and smaller populated areas as well. These elements are not only hazardous for biocoenosis (plants, animals and living microbes) but for humans. The study showed that most geo-chemical pollution is found in industrial cities. This is illustrated in the table below.
As the scientists point out, on the basis of hydro-geological and hydro-chemical information there are three ecological water types: well maintained, poorly maintained and unmaintained.
The first group comprises the Great Caucasus and the Southern slope ground waters; the second group comprises the karst and volcanic rock waters of the Lesser Caucasus; and the third group is comprised of intermountain waters, connected with friable quaternary sediments. Since intermountain areas are characterized by more intense agricultural activity, these waters are polluted by toxic elements.
Bacterial pollution, which is characteristic of the western part of Georgian rivers and the Black sea coast, is most significant in areas where water supplies used by factories are directly dumped into the rivers and sea.
The ecology of the Black Sea coast drew a great deal of attention. Following an international index, there are three zones of Georgian waters: normal waters, with an index of 0,75 – 1,25; polluted waters with an index from 1,25 to 1,75; and severely polluted waters, with an index of 1,75 to 3,0. The first zone is far at sea closer to the neutral waters in the depth of the sea. The second zone covers almost the entire coast of the Black Sea. The third zone is located in Batumi and Poti seawater areas where there is intensive shipping activity.
However, the researchers make it clear that one of the causes of the geo-ecological imbalance is natural geo-dynamic activity, including floods, avalanches, landslides, and other similar processes. Natural radiation also poses a serious danger to the geo-ecological situation. Natural radiation is closely related to the presence of nuclides in uranium (U), radius (Ra), thorium (Th) and potassium. In Georgia there are natural radiation anomalies, which had been studied only for military purposes during the Soviet era. These anomalies are mainly found in areas near settlements and are linked to Paleozoic granites of Dzirula and Mid-Jurassic coal veins. However, the researchers also note that studies on the radiation impact on these territories have not been undertaken, and it is vitally important to carry out thorough research in this regard.
The scientists pointed out one more serious problem--after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, technogenic radioactivity was detected in some areas. Radiometric measurements taken in 1987-1989 demonstrated that after the Chernobyl disaster, most noticeably, the western part of Georgia was polluted by radioactive nuclides. In some parts of the Black Sea coast, the pollution reached 30-60 μR/h and in some other areas the pollution went up to 90-225 μR/h, whereas the Maximum Allowance Concentration for the radioactive pollutants is 10 μR/h.
Research that was almost completed 21 years ago by scientists in the Geo-ecology and Applied Geo-chemistry Division indicated that these territories are less polluted by radio nuclides today, but still need continuous ecological monitoring.
‘’Despite the above listed negative ecological phenomena, there is ecological stability in the Georgian territories. The ecological situation in Chiatura and Zestaponi can be taken for an example. The ecological stability in these areas can be explained by the fact that mining for Chiatura manganese deposits has decreased, and this has had a positive impact also in the Zestaponi mining factory areas. Another noteworthy positive change is ecological progress in agriculture. Reducing chemicals and using organic fertilizers has made great improvements in agriculture in terms of both harvest and ecological quality of the crops. To conclude, we can argue that the Georgian territory is ecologically stable with a relatively high purity index’’, states the Project Supervisor and Head of the Geo-Ecology and Applied Geo-chemistry Division, Murman Kvinikadze.
The researchers were able to create a geo-ecological map of Georgia in a scale of 1:1000000 on the basis of this research, featuring the current situation of both natural and technogenic pollution. When drafting the map, the TSU scientists applied landscape geo-chemical classifications by A. Perelman with the existing instructions on drafting geo-ecological maps. The map shows activities that are rated with high scores, and that have caused changes in the landscape.
‘’The eco-abnormal areas indicated on the map are local in nature and can be easily disposed of. A particular emphasis should be put on fresh surface and ground waters that are genuinely priceless for Georgia. If we take other countries’ experience into consideration, in my opinion, it is vital to tighten ecological standards for water quality,” concludes Murman Kvinikadze.
The general condition of the territory of Georgia is determined by the following: geo-chemical, hydro-chemical and bio-chemical pollutions caused by technogenic waste, as well as natural radiation sources and radioactive pollution from environmental technogenic sources. The main causes of geo-chemical, hydro-chemical and bio-chemical pollution are mining and industrial (Chiatura, Kvaisi, Tkibuli, Tkvarcheli, Tsana, Madneuli, etc), metallurgical (Rustavi, Zestaponi), oil refining (Batumi) and oil bottling (Supsa) activities. In addition, pipelines (Baku-Supsa and Baku-Jeikhan) and natural gas pipelines are serious causes of pollution.
Analysis of the materials showed that in terms of geo-chemical, hydro-chemical and bio-chemical pollution, the areas of Madneuli and Uravi (currently abandoned) mining industrial complexes are particularly significant and considerably high levels of pollution in these areas are alarming. However, the ecological conditions in territories around Chiatura and Zestaponi mining-metallurgical industries were shown to be relatively stable.
As elsewhere in the world, there are heavy and toxic elements in the soil in Georgian cities and smaller populated areas as well. These elements are not only hazardous for biocoenosis (plants, animals and living microbes) but for humans. The study showed that most geo-chemical pollution is found in industrial cities. This is illustrated in the table below.
As the scientists point out, on the basis of hydro-geological and hydro-chemical information there are three ecological water types: well maintained, poorly maintained and unmaintained.
The first group comprises the Great Caucasus and the Southern slope ground waters; the second group comprises the karst and volcanic rock waters of the Lesser Caucasus; and the third group is comprised of intermountain waters, connected with friable quaternary sediments. Since intermountain areas are characterized by more intense agricultural activity, these waters are polluted by toxic elements.
Bacterial pollution, which is characteristic of the western part of Georgian rivers and the Black sea coast, is most significant in areas where water supplies used by factories are directly dumped into the rivers and sea.
The ecology of the Black Sea coast drew a great deal of attention. Following an international index, there are three zones of Georgian waters: normal waters, with an index of 0,75 – 1,25; polluted waters with an index from 1,25 to 1,75; and severely polluted waters, with an index of 1,75 to 3,0. The first zone is far at sea closer to the neutral waters in the depth of the sea. The second zone covers almost the entire coast of the Black Sea. The third zone is located in Batumi and Poti seawater areas where there is intensive shipping activity.
However, the researchers make it clear that one of the causes of the geo-ecological imbalance is natural geo-dynamic activity, including floods, avalanches, landslides, and other similar processes. Natural radiation also poses a serious danger to the geo-ecological situation. Natural radiation is closely related to the presence of nuclides in uranium (U), radius (Ra), thorium (Th) and potassium. In Georgia there are natural radiation anomalies, which had been studied only for military purposes during the Soviet era. These anomalies are mainly found in areas near settlements and are linked to Paleozoic granites of Dzirula and Mid-Jurassic coal veins. However, the researchers also note that studies on the radiation impact on these territories have not been undertaken, and it is vitally important to carry out thorough research in this regard.
The scientists pointed out one more serious problem--after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, technogenic radioactivity was detected in some areas. Radiometric measurements taken in 1987-1989 demonstrated that after the Chernobyl disaster, most noticeably, the western part of Georgia was polluted by radioactive nuclides. In some parts of the Black Sea coast, the pollution reached 30-60 μR/h and in some other areas the pollution went up to 90-225 μR/h, whereas the Maximum Allowance Concentration for the radioactive pollutants is 10 μR/h.
Research that was almost completed 21 years ago by scientists in the Geo-ecology and Applied Geo-chemistry Division indicated that these territories are less polluted by radio nuclides today, but still need continuous ecological monitoring.
‘’Despite the above listed negative ecological phenomena, there is ecological stability in the Georgian territories. The ecological situation in Chiatura and Zestaponi can be taken for an example. The ecological stability in these areas can be explained by the fact that mining for Chiatura manganese deposits has decreased, and this has had a positive impact also in the Zestaponi mining factory areas. Another noteworthy positive change is ecological progress in agriculture. Reducing chemicals and using organic fertilizers has made great improvements in agriculture in terms of both harvest and ecological quality of the crops. To conclude, we can argue that the Georgian territory is ecologically stable with a relatively high purity index’’, states the Project Supervisor and Head of the Geo-Ecology and Applied Geo-chemistry Division, Murman Kvinikadze.
The researchers were able to create a geo-ecological map of Georgia in a scale of 1:1000000 on the basis of this research, featuring the current situation of both natural and technogenic pollution. When drafting the map, the TSU scientists applied landscape geo-chemical classifications by A. Perelman with the existing instructions on drafting geo-ecological maps. The map shows activities that are rated with high scores, and that have caused changes in the landscape.
‘’The eco-abnormal areas indicated on the map are local in nature and can be easily disposed of. A particular emphasis should be put on fresh surface and ground waters that are genuinely priceless for Georgia. If we take other countries’ experience into consideration, in my opinion, it is vital to tighten ecological standards for water quality,” concludes Murman Kvinikadze.