HUMINO CONGRESS-Online International Conference Hosted from Paris, France https://conferencious.com August 21st -22nd ,2021 IMPACT OF ARSENIC EX-MINING WASTE ON THE SURROUNDING SOIL DEGRADATION PROCESSES IN RACHA

E.Bakradze 1, L.Shavliashvili2, G.Kuchava1 1 Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of National Environmental Agency, , Georgia [email protected]; [email protected] 2 Institute of Hydrometeorology of Georgian Technical University, Tbilisi, Georgia [email protected]

Introduction One of the obvious anthropogenic impacts on the nature of Georgia is the degradation of land, which can be caused by the inefficient management of land resources and neglecting the principles of sustainable development. All this will be reflected in different aspects, such as the growth of pollution, sharp decrease in pastures and forests, desertiness, soil erosion etc. Figure 1 shows degradation of Georgia's soils in a percentage and its causes [1].

Soil degradation

4% 12%

Water erosion Wind erosion Chemical degradation 28% 56% Physical degradation

Causes of soil degradation

27% 38% Unsustainable agriculture

Excessive grazing

Desertification, firewood, consumption 35%

Figure 1. Degradation of Georgian soils There are three hot points in Georgia, soil industrial pollution: pollution of Racha-Lechkhlumi and Kvemo Svaneti region - arsenic; -pollution of ecosystems by the municipality "Madneuli" deposit and pollution of municipality. The purpose of the work is to study the contribution of the spread of the technological pollutants- arsenic concentrations (1-class hazards) in the region of Georgia (Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti). Toxicity of Arsenic and its compounds have long been known. In the seventies of the last century, their carcinogenic properties were established. Nevertheless, arsenic compounds are widely used in techniques, agriculture, medicine, etc. The natural component of the Earth's cortex is and is widespread in any environment, air, water and soil. In a number of countries arsenic is naturally in underground waters. It is represented in nature in organic and inorganic form, and the latter is very toxic. Arsenic is included in the list of 10 toxic element (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Ni, etc.), which create important problems for human health (WHO) [2].

Page | 1 HUMINO CONGRESS-Online International Conference Hosted from Paris, France https://conferencious.com August 21st -22nd ,2021 Although the ways to get into the body of Arsenic can be the skin, respiratory tract, it is still mainly from food and drinking water in the human body. Organic arsenic species are most frequently in seafood, and in terrestrial products are mostly 3-5 valentine arsenic forms and units of organic species. Consequently, the source of arsenic meals is mainly contaminated from the soil and water [3,4].

Study Area and Methods Over the years in the Georgian territory, it was carried out, processing, of white arsenic (Racha- Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti). Lukhuni Arsenic ore processing, ore enrichment, roasting and white arsenic (As2O3) was refined into the village Uravi Racha mining chemical factory, 27 km away from the mine. Two mining-chemical factories were working in district - Tsania and Koruldash. In 1993, both factories stopped functioning. Today, both the ore are preserved and the production of arsenic is stopped. The problem is arsenic waste in surrounding areas. Up to date, Under the Urban and Tsana Mountain Measuring Factory is kept a large number of toxic waste (4-9% white arsenic containing 120 000 tons, which were not safely placed and created in rivers, ground waters and soils Risk [5-8]. In 2019, the by the LEPL National Enviroenmental Agency of the Ministry of Environment protection and Agriculture implemented surveys in various villages of municipality: soil samples 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth were taken and was determined arsenic [9]. In the study municipality (Ambrolauri), Kordian-carbonate soils are characterized by neutral or weakly alkalic reaction (pH indicator 7,0-7,7), clay or loamy mechanical composition, with the abundance of iron silicate forms. Humus content is moderate or small. Soils are deeply humused, the type of humus is Humatic. The content of carbonates in large frameworks (20-51%) varies. The absorption complex is based on the foundation. In the clay, the montmorilont and hidroqarses prevails. This soil is distinguished by high fertility [10]. Taking soil patterns, labeling, storage and transportation were made by the relevant international standard organization (ISO) method. Analysis was carried out by the Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture at the atmospheric air, water and soil analysis laboratory: 1. Plasma-emission spectrometer ICP-OES; 2. Soil depletion -milestone - Start D Microwave System; 3. pH meter - Milwaukee-Mi 150.

Results and analysis In 2019, was the Eco chemical condition of the soil () of the territory of arsenic industrial wastes were studied. According to the results of the survey conducted, the maximum content of arsenic (mobile form) is marked on the internal territory of Uravi-1, on the right side of the enterprise 0-5 cm and 5-20 cm depth, where the maximum concentration of arsenic is 1229,21 (614.6 MPC) And 1229,92 (615,0 MPC) mg/kg (fig. 1). The concentration of arsenic concentration is comparable to the left side of the enterprise and totally 534,64 (267,3 MPC) - 776,83 (388,4 MPC) and 680,36 (340,2 MPC) - 637,41 (318.7 MPC) mg/kg. The relatively low concentrations are marked with the new Sarkophagus surrounding Uravi-2, where the concentration of arsenic is 77,33 (38.7 MPC) and 12,01 (6,0 MPC) mg/kg 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth (Fig. 2). Like the Uravi-1 (Fig. 1) approximately similar figures will be reflected in arsenic concentration of Uravi-3 and Uravi -4 - Sarkophagus upper side and surrounding area (Fig. 3,4). In the village of Likheti, the concentration of arsenic is much less compared to Urvavi-1-4 (in particular, the concentration of arsenic varies - 2,51 (1,3) -23,30 (11,30) and 3,50 (1,8) -20,02 (10,0 MPC) mg/kg), as well as baseline values (8,78 (4,4 MPC) -9,28 (4,6) mg/kg) (Fig. 5 and 6). As seen from the data of the figures, it is even lower in arsenic content in the village Nikortsminda, where the concentration of arsenic varies from 3,27 (1,6 MPC) -16,11 (8,1 MPC) mg/kg. The background concentration in the Nikortsminda area is high in the soil 0-5 cm depth (16,0 (8,0 MPC) mg/kg). Figure 8 is given concentration of arsenic in the territory in the village Tsesi that changes 29,53 (14,8 MPC) -14,76 (7,4 MPC) mg/kg and 10,79 (5,4 MPC) -3,27 (1,6 MPC) mg/kg. The background Page | 2 HUMINO CONGRESS-Online International Conference Hosted from Paris, France https://conferencious.com August 21st -22nd ,2021 concentration of this area is high and is 11,77 (5,9 MPC) at 0-5 cm depth, its concentration is low and equals 1,25 (0,6 MPC) mg/kg.

mg/kg Uravi-1, Internal area

1400 1200 1000 As 800 600 background 400 200 0 05-cm 5-20 cm 05-cm 5-20 cm 05-cm 5-20 cm 1 2 3

Figure 1. The concentration of arsenic in the village Uravi soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth 1- Right side of enterprise; 2- Left side of enterprise; 3- near the tower

mg/kg Land of a new sarcophagus near Uravi-2 90 80 70 60 As 50 40 background 30 20 10 0 05-cm 5-20 cm

Figure 2. The concentration of arsenic in the village Uravi soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth

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mg/kg Uravi-3, upper side of the sarcophagus 900 800 700 600 500 As 400 background 300 200 100 0 05-cm 5-20 cm

Figure 3. The concentration of arsenic in the village Uravi soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth

mg/kg Uravi-4 The area around the sarcophagus, in a 900 downward direction 800 700 600 As 500 400 background 300 200 100 0 05-cm 5-20 cm

Figure 4. The concentration of arsenic in the village Uravi soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth

mg/kg As-village Likheti 25

20

As 15 background 10

5

0 05-cm 5-20 cm 05-cm 5-20 cm 1 2 Figure 5. The concentration of arsenic in the village Likheti soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth

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mg/kg As-village Likheti 25

20

15 As 10 background 5

0 05-cm 5-20 cm 05-cm 5-20 cm 1 2

Figure 6. The concentration of arsenic in the village Likheti soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth

mg/kg As-village Nikortsminda 18 16 14 12 10 As 8 background 6 4 2 0 05-cm 5-20 cm 05-cm 5-20 cm 05-cm 5-20 cm 1 2 3

Figure 7. Arsenic content in the village Nikortsminda soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth

mg/kg As-village Tsesi 35 30 25 20 As

15 background 10 5 0 05-cm 5-20 cm 05-cm 5-20 cm 1 2

Figure 8. Arsenic content in the village Tsesi soils 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth

Page | 5 HUMINO CONGRESS-Online International Conference Hosted from Paris, France https://conferencious.com August 21st -22nd ,2021 Conclusion Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region (Ambrolauri Municipality) revealed the level of pollution of the soils in the municipality as a result of the hazardous industrial wastes containing Racha mining chemical factory. As a result of the investigations, we can say that it is necessary to maintain strict control over anthropogenic load to maintain the clean conditions of natural waters, soils and food products and to improve their contaminated status. The following conclusions can be expressed on the basis of the results obtained in the above mentioned region: 1. The maximum content of the arsenic (mobile form) in 2019 , on the right side of the enterprise, the concentration of arsenic concentration is comparable to the left side of the enterprise and the treasury; Compared to low concentrations are marked with the Uravi-2 surrounding new Sarcophagus; High numbers will be concentrated in arsenic concentration of Uravi -3 and Uravi -4 Sarkophagus on the upper side of the Sarkophagus and surrounding areas; 2. Pollution of background seats are identified with arsenic. Specifically, near Uravi -2, new Sarkophagus Also in the village Nikortsminda territory; 3. The content of arsenic is relatively low compared to Liketi, Nikortsminda compered to Uravi; 4. After detection those facts, the relevant measures were taken to prevent pollution in the municipality.

References 1. https://sustainability.ge/land-degradation-in-georgia/ 2. M.G. Skalnaya, A.V. Skalny, V.A. Demidov -,, Dependence of the increased oncologic morbidity rate from the excessive contents of arsenic and other toxic chemical elements in environment”. Микроэлементы в медицине, 2001 ст. 32-35. 3. Laferashvili K., Food safety, Georgian strategic researches and development center Biuletin N111, 2008. 4. European population1 European Food Safety Authority 2, 3 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy. 5. R.Gigauri, N.Bibiashvili, L.Baghaturia - Monitoring and Remediation of Wastes of Racha-Svaneti in Georgian Regions - Chemical Materials of Georgia, T.15, # 1, p.119-122, 2015 6. N.Bagrationi, L.Gvertsiteli, V.Gvakharia, A.Chirakadze, T.Sharashidze - "Ecological description of the Arsenic waste storage and warehousing facilities. Proceedings of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, # 4, 2014. 7. Shavliashvili L., Bakradze E., Arabidze M. and Kuchava G. - Arsenic pollution study of the rivers and soils in some of the regions of Georgia”. International Journal of Current Research Vol.9, Issue, 02, pp.47002-47008, February, 2017. 8. G.Alexidze, R.Lolishvili - Basic Aspects of Georgia's Environmental Pollution - Materials of International Scientific Conference "Modern Technologies of Eco-friendly Products for Sustainable Development of Agriculture", Tbilisi, pp. 33-45, 2016. 9. Фомин Г.С. Фомин А.Г. - Почва, контроль качества и экологические безопасности по междуна родным стандартам. - Москва ВНИИ стандарт, 300 ст, 2001. 10. T.Urushadze - of the soil - "Science", Tbilisi, 267 pp., 1997.

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