SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS IN SOILS AND WATERS AS EXEMPLIFIED BY KAKHETI REGION (EASTERN GEORGIA)

Abstract

The subject of research is the chemical analysis of heavy metals and assessment of their impact on soil and water, which is caused by solid waste. The closed landfill of Gurjaani in Eastern Georgia, was selected for the study, where various wastes are accumulated, including agricultural pesticides, herbicides and other wastes and their containers. In order to identify the contaminated areas in the field, soil samples were taken. The samples were processed accordingly in the research laboratory and various elements (pH, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd) and organic substances were determined in them. As a result of the laboratory research, the facts of metal concentration were clearly identified. Zinc turned out to be especially dominant. It is a fact that the waste of various composition unsystematically located at the landfill is the cause of these metals entering the environment. However, the type and quality of pollution depend on several factors: the amount of waste, morphological composition, climatic conditions, physical-chemical properties of the soil, etc. It was determined that Soil type, in this case brown soils, site reaction and climate contribute to the accumulation and subsequent solubility of heavy metals. Through surface and ground water, even remote areas are put at ecological risk.