Estimation of Relevant Ecological State of the Small Rivers of Georgia

L. Intskirveli, G.Kuchava, L.Bachiashvili, M.Tabatadze, M.Khatiashvili

Institute of Hydrometeorology of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
e-mail: lelabachi@yahoo.com; nb@gw.acnet.ge

Abstract

On the basis of the small rivers, namely, Kazretula and Mashavera (Kartli region, Georgia), the antrophogenic influence by rock-processing plant on the surface waters is discussed.

This enterprise influences the atmosphere, soils and surface waters. In the present paper the attention is drawn to two main rivers of the region, the Mashavera and the Kazretula. They differ by increasing concentrations of toxic metals. The Kazretula River flows at the bottom of the residual storage and is saturated by the ore elements and without barrier flows into the Mashavera River. It is shown that at the source of the rivers the limited range of water ingredients is in the framework of characterized for the surface waters. The noted situation changes from the junction of the Kazretula River to the draining water quarry. The pH sharply decreases into the acid area (pH=3.0) and concentrations of heavy metals consequently increase, for example, Cu increases by 50-70 times, Fe -–by 18-20, Zn – by 10-30 times. Fauna does not exist in this part of the river. But the river has great capacity of self-purifying mechanism and in the samples of the water, taken on nearly 0.5 km from the tributary of the Mashavera and Kazretula Rivers, less concentrations of microelements are fixed. The sufficiently high concentrations of metal forms are in the bottom sediments, which create a real danger of secondary pollution for the rivers. In the treatment conditions of appropriate technical figure it is possible to extract noble metals from the water solutions enriched by metals and use for industry purposes.