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ASSESMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SOLID WASTE ON SOIL CONTAMINATION (EXAMPLE OF KAKHETI REGION, GEORGIA)

Laura Kavelidze, Besik Kalandadze

Abstract

On the path of economic development, sustainable waste management is a difficult step. Especially in low-income countries where management systems are imperfect managed, with low infrastructure and public awareness, lead the country to critical out comes. Landfills in Georgia, with few exceptions, do not meet international standards. In addition, spontaneous, illegal landfills are being created in the villages. Residents dump their waste into the water, on the river banks, near agricultural lands, in a ravine. Uncontrolled waste releases compounds harmful to health, including heavy metals such as lead, zinc, arsenic, cadmium. Soil and plants absorb and retain contaminants. Heavy metals accumulate in the soil, then migrate to groundwater or surface waters and meet in the food chain. They have a serious impact on the soil microflora as they can change its composition and negatively affect current processes. In an already small country, fertile soils and the production of healthy food are declining. In Kakheti region (Georgia) in Gurjaani municipality at two locations: in Gurjaani itself and in the vicinity of village Arashenda, field research was conducted and samples were collected by The Auger Method, which was then processed in the laboratory and heavy metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Soil reaction (pH), lead, copper, zinc, cadmium and organic matter were determined in soil samples. The study showed that the concentration and toxicity of heavy metals at the waste disposal site increases. The predominant metal is zinc, which is an important element for plants and the normal functioning of the body, but its excessive amount is already toxic. 1 g of zinc sulfate ZnSO4 can cause poisoning. In the examined samples it can be said that zinc is on the alarming edge. On the example of the Gurjaani landfill and the village Arashenda, we can conclude that unsystematic, non-segregated waste causes the absorption of heavy metals in the soil, while soil type and climate contribute to its accumulation or solubility. In addition to having a severe impact on human health, heavy metals also reduce soil productivity. Therefore, the study of the accumulation and migration of heavy metals in soils is currently a very important and topical issue.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2021/5.1/s20.006

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